Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Completes Its $769 Million Purchase of LesserEvil
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 11/18/2025DELAYED5 months late71% CONFIDENCE310 days agoStated as firm in Hershey's Q2 2026 Form 10-Q: "On November 18, 2025, we completed the acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC"; the release datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 19, 2025" (PR Newswire, 08:35 ET) says Hershey "has closed its acquisition of LesserEvil".^[1]
Hershey closed its acquisition of organic popcorn and puffs maker LesserEvil, paying $769 million in cash up front with up to $200 million more if earnings targets are met. The brand joins SkinnyPop and Dot's Pretzels and lifted Hershey's salty snacks sales by about 22% in the second quarter of 2026.
$769.1M
0.85
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Unveils Its Next Generation Snacking Strategy at 2026 Investor Day
Hershey…New York Stock Exchange, 11, Wall Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10271, United States
Starts 03/31/2026 4:00PMCONFIRMED 87% CONFIDENCE177 days agoStated as firm: Hershey's release of March 31, 2026 says it "is hosting its 2026 Investor Day today at the New York Stock Exchange" and "The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m. ET" (16:00 UTC).^[1]
At an investor day at the New York Stock Exchange led by CEO Kirk Tanner, Hershey set out its ONE Hershey plan across sweet, salty and protein snacks. It targeted 2-4% organic sales growth, 15-20% adjusted EPS growth in 2027 and 6-8% from 2028.
0.69
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Q1 2026: Sales Up 10.6%, Adjusted EPS Up 12%, Outlook Reaffirmed
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 04/30/2026 10:45AMCONFIRMED 84% CONFIDENCE147 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 06:45 ET (10:45 UTC) on Hershey's newsroom feed; the 8-K was accepted at 10:47 UTC.^[1]
Hershey's first-quarter net sales rose 10.6% to $3.10 billion on about 10 points of price and the LesserEvil deal, and adjusted EPS rose 12% to $2.35 as reported profit nearly doubled; it reaffirmed its 2026 outlook.
0.68
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy UK Cereal-Bar Maker Eat Natural
Halstead, Braintree, Essex, England, United KingdomFerrero
Starts 12/17/2020CONFIRMED 90% CONFIDENCE5.8 years agoFerrero's^[1][2] release is dated "Thu, 12/17/2020" and says Ferrero "today announced a definitive agreement" to acquire Eat Natural; no time is given.
Ferrero signed a definitive agreement to buy Eat Natural, the UK maker of cereal bars, toasted muesli and granola, taking over its Halstead factory and its first step into healthier snacking.
0.68
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Raises Its Dividend to $1.452 After a Five-Quarter Freeze
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 02/05/2026 12:00PMCONFIRMED 83% CONFIDENCE231 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 07:00 ET (12:00 UTC); "The dividends were declared February 4, 2026".^[1]
Hershey lifted its quarterly dividend to $1.452 a share from $1.370, its first increase after holding the payout flat through the cocoa and tariff squeeze of 2025, alongside a forecast of a 30-35% earnings rebound in 2026.
0.66
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy Nestlé's US Candy Business for $2.8 Billion
Ferrero International S.A., 16 Route de Trèves, Senningerberg, Niederanven, 2633, LuxembourgFerrero
Starts 01/16/2018CONFIRMED 90% CONFIDENCE8.7 years agoFerrero's^[1] release is dated "Tue, 01/16/2018" and says Ferrero "today announced a definitive agreement" to buy the business; no time is given.
Ferrero agreed to pay $2.8 billion in cash for Nestlé's US confectionery arm, over 20 brands including Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Crunch, Nerds and SweeTarts, making it the third-largest US confectionery company.
$2.8B
0.66
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Vows to Put Real Chocolate Back in Reese's After Backlash
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 03/31/2026CONFIRMED 84% CONFIDENCE177 days agoStated as firm, per Deseret^[1] News (2 Apr 2026): "Hershey announced Tuesday it will return to using 'classic milk and dark chocolate recipes' in all Reese's and Hershey's products by 2027. CEO Kirk Tanner told [Bloomberg] on Tuesday" - Tuesday was 31 March 2026; NBC News^[4] (1 Apr) has Brad Reese reacting "on Wednesday".
After Brad Reese, grandson of the cup's inventor, accused Hershey of swapping milk chocolate for cheaper compound coatings, CEO Kirk Tanner said the company will return to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes by 2027.
0.65
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Reese's Oreo Cup and Oreo Reese's Cookie Go on Sale
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 08/18/2025CONFIRMED 86% CONFIDENCE1.1 years agoStated as firm in Hershey's release (30 Jul 2025): "The new REESE'S OREO Cup will be available for presale on The Hershey's Store starting August 18" and "The OREO REESE'S Cookies will be available for presale starting on August 18".^[1]
Hershey and Mondelez's two-way mash-up of America's No. 1 candy and No. 1 cookie opened for presale on The Hershey's Store, reaching stores nationwide in September; the cup became Reese's top innovation of 2025.
0.65
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Prices $2 Billion of Notes in Four Tranches
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 02/19/2025 10:18PMCONFIRMED 89% CONFIDENCE1.6 years agoStated as firm: the pricing release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 17:18 ET (22:18 UTC); the 8-K says Hershey "entered into a Pricing Agreement" on February 19, 2025.^[1]
Hershey sold $2 billion of bonds in four $500 million tranches due 2028 to 2035 at coupons of 4.55% to 5.10%, to repay $600 million of notes maturing in 2025 and some commercial paper.
0.64
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Q3 2025: Sales Up 6.5% on Price, Raises Outlook as Tariffs Bite
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 10/30/2025 10:45AMCONFIRMED 88% CONFIDENCE329 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 06:45 ET (10:45 UTC) on Hershey's newsroom feed; the 8-K was accepted at 10:49 UTC.^[1]
Under new CEO Kirk Tanner, Hershey's third-quarter net sales rose 6.5% to $3.18 billion on about 6 points of price, while adjusted EPS fell 44% to $1.30 on cocoa and tariff costs; it raised its 2025 sales outlook to about 3%.
0.63
Food09/24/2026@BuildDesk
Hershey Opens Its Reese Chocolate Processing Plant in Hershey, PA
Hershey…Reese Avenue, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 04/16/2025DELAYED13 months late62% CONFIDENCE1.4 years agoStated as firm in the Governor's release dated "April 16, 2025": "Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Michele Buck, President and CEO of The Hershey Company^[2] ... to open the new state-of-the-art Reese Chocolate Processing (RCP) facility"; Food Business News^[4] confirms the ribbon-cutting "on Hershey's campus on April 16".
Hershey's first new factory in its hometown in more than 30 years, a 250,000-square-foot plant that makes the chocolate for Reese's, Kit Kat, Symphony and Special Dark, opened with Governor Josh Shapiro. It is Hershey's first fully integrated digital plant and brings more than 125 jobs.
0.63
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 Billion
1 Jackson Street West, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014, United StatesFerrero
Starts 07/10/2025 12:52PMCONFIRMED 87% CONFIDENCE1.2 years agoFerrero's^[1] release is timed "Thu, 07/10/2025 14:52" (CEST) and says the companies "today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement"; WK Kellogg's^[3] 8-K was accepted at 09:01 ET that day.
Ferrero agreed to buy WK Kellogg Co, maker of Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Special K and Rice Krispies in North America, for $23 a share in cash, a 40% premium and a $3.1 billion enterprise value.
$3.1B
0.63

Stated as firm in Hershey's Q1 2025 Form 10-Q: "On March 31, 2025, we entered into a Merger Agreement to acquire LesserEvil, LLC"; the release, datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., April 3, 2025" (PR Newswire, 11:44 ET), announced that Hershey "has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LesserEvil".^[1]

Start: Mar 31, 202595% CONFIDENCEfrom sec.gov

Hershey Agrees to Buy Organic Snack Maker LesserEvil

Hershey signed a merger agreement for LesserEvil, the maker of organic popcorn, puffs and curls cooked in coconut and avocado oil, to add a better-for-you brand beside SkinnyPop, Dot's Pretzels and Pirate's Booty. Hershey paid $769 million in cash at closing; The Wall Street Journal had put the deal at about $750 million.

Hershey signed a merger agreement on 31 March 2025 to acquire LesserEvil, LLC, a privately held maker of organic popcorn and puffed snacks sold to retailers and distributors in the United States and Canada^[3]
Hershey announced the definitive agreement on 3 April 2025, saying LesserEvil brings "a multi-category, better-for-you snacks platform" and "additional manufacturing capabilities and capacity"^[1]
LesserEvil joins Hershey's salty snack brands SkinnyPop, Dot's Homestyle Pretzels and Pirate's Booty; its leadership team, led by CEO Charles Coristine, stays on to run its commercial model and manufacturing^[1]
Hershey did not disclose the price; The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the deal, said it was roughly $750 million^[4]
The deal was subject to the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period and was first expected to close by mid-2025, financed with cash on hand and short-term borrowings^[2][3]
LesserEvil's snacks include Himalayan Pink Salt Paleo Puffs, Oh My Ghee! Popcorn, Sugar Cookie Popcorn and Avocado-Licious Organic Popcorn, many made with coconut or avocado oil^[4]
Salty snacks were about 10% of Hershey's $11.2 billion of sales in 2024; Hershey had bought SkinnyPop's parent Amplify for $1.6 billion in 2017 and Dot's for $1.2 billion in 2021^[4]

@ConsumerDesk

Cost $769.1M

References 489% CONFIDENCE

The first entry is always the pin's source. Overall confidence is a weighted average of how firmly each reference supports the start and end times used above; a reference counts half as much for every 180 days older than the newest.

[1]90%
thehersheycompany.com/en_us/home/newsroom/press-release/2025-04-03-The-Hershey-Company-Announces-Intent-to-Acquire-LesserEvil.html
thehersheycompany.com· Posted Sep 24, 2026· Starts Mar 31, 2025· 65% of score
Stated as firm in Hershey's Q1 2025 Form 10-Q: "On March 31, 2025, we entered into a Merger Agreement to acquire LesserEvil, LLC"; the release, datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., April 3, 2025" (PR Newswire, 11:44 ET), announced that Hershey "has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LesserEvil".
[2]85%
The Hershey Company Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2025
sec.gov· Published Oct 30, 2025· 18% of score
Later filing repeating the 31 March 2025 merger agreement and moving the expected close to "by the end of 2025", financed with cash on hand and short-term borrowings.^[1]
[3]95%
The Hershey Company Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 30, 2025
sec.gov· Published May 1, 2025· Starts Mar 31, 2025 ✓· 9% of score
Hershey's own filing: "On March 31, 2025, we entered into a Merger Agreement to acquire LesserEvil, LLC"; conditions include the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period; expected to close by mid-2025.^[1]
[4]85%
Hershey to buy healthier snacks maker LesserEvil
fooddive.com· Published Apr 3, 2025· 8% of score
Food Dive on the agreement: price undisclosed, roughly $750 million per The Wall Street Journal; LesserEvil's products and Hershey's salty-snack history.

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Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Completes Its $769 Million Purchase of LesserEvil
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 11/18/2025DELAYED5 months late71% CONFIDENCE310 days agoStated as firm in Hershey's Q2 2026 Form 10-Q: "On November 18, 2025, we completed the acquisition of LesserEvil, LLC"; the release datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Nov. 19, 2025" (PR Newswire, 08:35 ET) says Hershey "has closed its acquisition of LesserEvil".^[1]
Hershey closed its acquisition of organic popcorn and puffs maker LesserEvil, paying $769 million in cash up front with up to $200 million more if earnings targets are met. The brand joins SkinnyPop and Dot's Pretzels and lifted Hershey's salty snacks sales by about 22% in the second quarter of 2026.
$769.1M
0.85
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Unveils Its Next Generation Snacking Strategy at 2026 Investor Day
Hershey…New York Stock Exchange, 11, Wall Street, Financial District, Lower Manhattan, Manhattan, New York County, New York, 10271, United States
Starts 03/31/2026 4:00PMCONFIRMED 87% CONFIDENCE177 days agoStated as firm: Hershey's release of March 31, 2026 says it "is hosting its 2026 Investor Day today at the New York Stock Exchange" and "The meeting begins at 12:00 p.m. ET" (16:00 UTC).^[1]
At an investor day at the New York Stock Exchange led by CEO Kirk Tanner, Hershey set out its ONE Hershey plan across sweet, salty and protein snacks. It targeted 2-4% organic sales growth, 15-20% adjusted EPS growth in 2027 and 6-8% from 2028.
0.69
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Q1 2026: Sales Up 10.6%, Adjusted EPS Up 12%, Outlook Reaffirmed
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 04/30/2026 10:45AMCONFIRMED 84% CONFIDENCE147 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 06:45 ET (10:45 UTC) on Hershey's newsroom feed; the 8-K was accepted at 10:47 UTC.^[1]
Hershey's first-quarter net sales rose 10.6% to $3.10 billion on about 10 points of price and the LesserEvil deal, and adjusted EPS rose 12% to $2.35 as reported profit nearly doubled; it reaffirmed its 2026 outlook.
0.68
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy UK Cereal-Bar Maker Eat Natural
Halstead, Braintree, Essex, England, United KingdomFerrero
Starts 12/17/2020CONFIRMED 90% CONFIDENCE5.8 years agoFerrero's^[1][2] release is dated "Thu, 12/17/2020" and says Ferrero "today announced a definitive agreement" to acquire Eat Natural; no time is given.
Ferrero signed a definitive agreement to buy Eat Natural, the UK maker of cereal bars, toasted muesli and granola, taking over its Halstead factory and its first step into healthier snacking.
0.68
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Raises Its Dividend to $1.452 After a Five-Quarter Freeze
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 02/05/2026 12:00PMCONFIRMED 83% CONFIDENCE231 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 07:00 ET (12:00 UTC); "The dividends were declared February 4, 2026".^[1]
Hershey lifted its quarterly dividend to $1.452 a share from $1.370, its first increase after holding the payout flat through the cocoa and tariff squeeze of 2025, alongside a forecast of a 30-35% earnings rebound in 2026.
0.66
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy Nestlé's US Candy Business for $2.8 Billion
Ferrero International S.A., 16 Route de Trèves, Senningerberg, Niederanven, 2633, LuxembourgFerrero
Starts 01/16/2018CONFIRMED 90% CONFIDENCE8.7 years agoFerrero's^[1] release is dated "Tue, 01/16/2018" and says Ferrero "today announced a definitive agreement" to buy the business; no time is given.
Ferrero agreed to pay $2.8 billion in cash for Nestlé's US confectionery arm, over 20 brands including Butterfinger, Baby Ruth, Crunch, Nerds and SweeTarts, making it the third-largest US confectionery company.
$2.8B
0.66
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Vows to Put Real Chocolate Back in Reese's After Backlash
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 03/31/2026CONFIRMED 84% CONFIDENCE177 days agoStated as firm, per Deseret^[1] News (2 Apr 2026): "Hershey announced Tuesday it will return to using 'classic milk and dark chocolate recipes' in all Reese's and Hershey's products by 2027. CEO Kirk Tanner told [Bloomberg] on Tuesday" - Tuesday was 31 March 2026; NBC News^[4] (1 Apr) has Brad Reese reacting "on Wednesday".
After Brad Reese, grandson of the cup's inventor, accused Hershey of swapping milk chocolate for cheaper compound coatings, CEO Kirk Tanner said the company will return to classic milk and dark chocolate recipes by 2027.
0.65
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Reese's Oreo Cup and Oreo Reese's Cookie Go on Sale
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 08/18/2025CONFIRMED 86% CONFIDENCE1.1 years agoStated as firm in Hershey's release (30 Jul 2025): "The new REESE'S OREO Cup will be available for presale on The Hershey's Store starting August 18" and "The OREO REESE'S Cookies will be available for presale starting on August 18".^[1]
Hershey and Mondelez's two-way mash-up of America's No. 1 candy and No. 1 cookie opened for presale on The Hershey's Store, reaching stores nationwide in September; the cup became Reese's top innovation of 2025.
0.65
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Prices $2 Billion of Notes in Four Tranches
19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United StatesHershey…
Starts 02/19/2025 10:18PMCONFIRMED 89% CONFIDENCE1.6 years agoStated as firm: the pricing release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 17:18 ET (22:18 UTC); the 8-K says Hershey "entered into a Pricing Agreement" on February 19, 2025.^[1]
Hershey sold $2 billion of bonds in four $500 million tranches due 2028 to 2035 at coupons of 4.55% to 5.10%, to repay $600 million of notes maturing in 2025 and some commercial paper.
0.64
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Hershey Q3 2025: Sales Up 6.5% on Price, Raises Outlook as Tariffs Bite
Hershey…19 East Hershey Building, 19, East Chocolate Avenue, Spring Creek Manor, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 10/30/2025 10:45AMCONFIRMED 88% CONFIDENCE329 days agoStated as firm: the release is datelined "HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/" and stamped 06:45 ET (10:45 UTC) on Hershey's newsroom feed; the 8-K was accepted at 10:49 UTC.^[1]
Under new CEO Kirk Tanner, Hershey's third-quarter net sales rose 6.5% to $3.18 billion on about 6 points of price, while adjusted EPS fell 44% to $1.30 on cocoa and tariff costs; it raised its 2025 sales outlook to about 3%.
0.63
Food09/24/2026@BuildDesk
Hershey Opens Its Reese Chocolate Processing Plant in Hershey, PA
Hershey…Reese Avenue, Hershey, Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, 17036, United States
Starts 04/16/2025DELAYED13 months late62% CONFIDENCE1.4 years agoStated as firm in the Governor's release dated "April 16, 2025": "Today, Governor Josh Shapiro joined Michele Buck, President and CEO of The Hershey Company^[2] ... to open the new state-of-the-art Reese Chocolate Processing (RCP) facility"; Food Business News^[4] confirms the ribbon-cutting "on Hershey's campus on April 16".
Hershey's first new factory in its hometown in more than 30 years, a 250,000-square-foot plant that makes the chocolate for Reese's, Kit Kat, Symphony and Special Dark, opened with Governor Josh Shapiro. It is Hershey's first fully integrated digital plant and brings more than 125 jobs.
0.63
Food09/24/2026@ConsumerDesk
Ferrero Agrees to Buy WK Kellogg Co for $3.1 Billion
1 Jackson Street West, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014, United StatesFerrero
Starts 07/10/2025 12:52PMCONFIRMED 87% CONFIDENCE1.2 years agoFerrero's^[1] release is timed "Thu, 07/10/2025 14:52" (CEST) and says the companies "today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement"; WK Kellogg's^[3] 8-K was accepted at 09:01 ET that day.
Ferrero agreed to buy WK Kellogg Co, maker of Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Special K and Rice Krispies in North America, for $23 a share in cash, a 40% premium and a $3.1 billion enterprise value.
$3.1B
0.63

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