Dot's Homestyle Pretzels
2021
$1.2B
Why
Hershey acquired Dot's Homestyle Pretzels and Pretzels Inc. to further build its presence in salty snacks. Dot's had become the fastest-growing pretzel brand in the United States through its distinctive seasoned pretzel twists that offered a flavor-forward alternative to traditional salted pretzels.
Impact
Dot's provided Hershey with a premium pretzel brand that complemented SkinnyPop in the better-for-you snacking space. The acquisition expanded Hershey's salty snack portfolio and gave it a manufacturing platform in the Midwest for pretzel production at scale.
Outcome
Dot's has continued to grow rapidly under Hershey ownership and is now distributed nationally through major retailers. The acquisition reinforced Hershey's position as a significant player in salty snacking, creating a portfolio of salty brands that generates nearly 1 billion dollars in combined annual revenue alongside the core chocolate and candy businesses.