Hershey Eyes Snack Market

The Hershey Company recently held its 2026 Investor Day at the New York Stock Exchange, and announced plans to expand beyond its chocolate business with investments in snacking categories and supply-chain modernization, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Hershey said that it plans to broaden its portfolio with premium and better-for-you products, while also accelerating growth in salty and functional snacking categories, according to the outlet.

Chief Executive Kirk Tanner highlighted a five-year innovation pipeline intended to support both core confectionery and newer categories.

Hershey also outlined plans to modernize its supply chain through the “increased use of automation, technology and artificial intelligence, aiming to boost productivity and fund reinvestment in growth initiatives.”

Hershey also reaffirmed its net sales, organic sales and earnings per share guidance for fiscal year 2026, calling for net sales growth of 4% to 5% and organic sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%.

The company’s outlined plan comes after it combined its sweet, salty and protein brand portfolios in the U.S. last month and centralized its global marketing, a move expected to streamline go-to-market efforts, expand distribution and improve retail execution.

Hershey at the time said this marks the first time it has “unified its brand power, category strategies and consumer insights under a single integrated structure. The evolution scales the commercial capabilities of its iconic U.S. Confection brands with the speed and agility of its Salty and Protein portfolios.”