The Hershey Company

What does Hershey own?
Hershey owns a portfolio of chocolate, candy, and snack brands including Hershey's (chocolate bars, Kisses, Special Dark), Reese's (Peanut Butter Cups, Pieces), Kit Kat (U.S. rights), Jolly Rancher (hard candy), Twizzlers (licorice candy), Ice Breakers (mints and gum), SkinnyPop (popcorn snacks), and Pirate's Booty (puff snacks).

Is Hershey publicly traded?
Yes, Hershey is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol HSY. The company has been publicly traded since 1925 and is included in major consumer goods indices and stock market benchmarks.

Who founded Hershey?
Hershey was founded in 1894 by Milton Hershey, an American entrepreneur who had previously founded the Lancaster Caramel Company. Milton Hershey built the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, to support the chocolate factory and employee community, demonstrating his commitment to social responsibility.

Where is Hershey headquartered?
Hershey is headquartered in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA. The company has maintained its headquarters in Hershey since its founding, and the town was specifically built by Milton Hershey to support the chocolate factory operations and employee community.

How many brands does Hershey own?
Hershey owns 8 major brands across its confectionery and snack portfolio: Hershey's, Reese's, Kit Kat (U.S. rights), Jolly Rancher, Twizzlers, Ice Breakers, SkinnyPop, and Pirate's Booty. These brands serve different market segments in chocolate, candy, mints, and snacks.

Who owns Hershey?
Hershey is publicly owned with no controlling shareholder. Ownership is distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders worldwide. The company operates independently without any parent organization or controlling shareholder.

What is Hershey's revenue?
Hershey reported annual revenue of approximately $11.2 billion for fiscal year 2024. The company's revenue reflects strong performance in the North American confectionery market and growing international presence across multiple product categories.

Is Hershey involved in any legal proceedings?
Hershey faces routine regulatory proceedings and compliance matters typical of food and consumer goods companies operating globally, including food safety regulations, labeling requirements, and supply chain compliance. The company maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators across multiple jurisdictions.

The Hershey Company was founded by Milton Hershey in 1894. Hershey had previously founded the Lancaster Caramel Company and became fascinated with chocolate-making equipment at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, where he saw German chocolate-making machinery that inspired him to enter the chocolate business.

In 1894, Hershey established the Hershey Chocolate Company as a subsidiary of his caramel business. He sold the Lancaster Caramel Company in 1900 for $1 million and focused entirely on chocolate production. Hershey built his first chocolate factory in Derry Church, Pennsylvania, which later became Hershey, Pennsylvania, creating an entire town to support the factory and employee community.

The company introduced revolutionary products that would become American icons. The Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar was introduced in 1900, making chocolate affordable for ordinary Americans through mass production techniques. Hershey's Kisses were introduced in 1907, becoming one of the most recognizable candy products in American culture.

Throughout the 20th century, Hershey expanded its portfolio through strategic acquisitions and product development. The company acquired Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in 1963, adding one of the most beloved candy brands to its portfolio. Hershey also secured U.S. licensing rights for Kit Kat chocolate bars, expanding its presence in the wafer chocolate segment.

Milton Hershey's vision extended beyond business to community development. He built the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, including schools, housing, recreational facilities, and the Milton Hershey School for orphaned boys, demonstrating his commitment to social responsibility and employee welfare.

In recent decades, Hershey has expanded into adjacent categories including salty snacks with acquisitions like SkinnyPop popcorn and Pirate's Booty puffs, positioning the company for growth beyond traditional confectionery while maintaining its chocolate heritage.

Hershey has developed comprehensive sustainability initiatives focused on responsible cocoa sourcing, environmental stewardship, and community development across its global operations. The company has committed to sustainable business practices through its Cocoa For Good program and environmental sustainability targets.

The company's environmental strategy centers on sustainable cocoa sourcing through programs that support farmer livelihoods, climate-smart agriculture, and forest protection. Hershey has implemented comprehensive cocoa sustainability programs and committed to sourcing 100% certified and sustainable cocoa by 2025, addressing deforestation and supporting farming communities.

On environmental responsibility, Hershey maintains programs covering renewable energy usage, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging. The company has established targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste across its manufacturing facilities while investing in energy-efficient production technologies.

For ethical business practices, Hershey maintains comprehensive compliance programs covering supply chain management, labor practices, and responsible sourcing. The company has established strong supplier codes of conduct addressing environmental standards, human rights, and ethical business practices throughout its global supply chain.

Hershey has received consistent recognition for product quality, brand excellence, and corporate responsibility from industry organizations and consumer publications.

• Product Quality Awards: Multiple awards for chocolate quality and innovation in confectionery manufacturing
• Brand Recognition: Consistent ranking among America's most trusted and recognized consumer brands
• Corporate Responsibility Recognition: Awards for sustainability initiatives and community development programs
• Innovation Awards: Recognition for product development and packaging innovation in the confectionery industry
• Employment Recognition: Awards for workplace culture and employee satisfaction

Hershey has faced regulatory scrutiny and public controversy related to cocoa sourcing practices, environmental concerns, and competitive dynamics in the confectionery industry. The company manages ongoing compliance while pursuing its global operations and sustainability initiatives.

The company has faced scrutiny regarding cocoa sourcing practices, particularly related to child labor and environmental sustainability in West African cocoa-producing regions. Hershey has worked to address these concerns through comprehensive cocoa sustainability programs, third-party certifications, and transparent reporting on sourcing practices.

Hershey has also faced challenges related to environmental concerns about packaging waste and the environmental impact of confectionery production. The company has responded with sustainability initiatives, packaging innovations, and commitments to reduce environmental footprint across its operations.

Regulatory compliance represents another area of scrutiny, particularly related to food safety standards, labeling requirements, and advertising regulations across multiple jurisdictions. Hershey maintains comprehensive compliance programs and works closely with regulators to ensure adherence to all applicable food safety and consumer protection standards.