Hershey vs Post Holdings: Founders, CEOs and History
Hershey was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey and is led by Kirk Tanner. Post Holdings was founded in 2012 by William P. Stiritz and is led by Nicolas Catoggio.
Company facts
Hershey
- Founded
- 1894
- Headquarters
- Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Current CEO
- Kirk Tanner
- Employees
- 19,595
Post Holdings
- Founded
- 2012
- Headquarters
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Current CEO
- Nicolas Catoggio
- Employees
- 13,180
Founders
Hershey
Milton S. Hershey
The Hershey Company possesses arguably the most well-known, utopian founding story in American industrial history, rooted in the persistence of a man who failed notably before inventing the modern American chocolate industry.
Post Holdings
William P. Stiritz
William P. Stiritz is the founding Chairman and CEO of the modern Post Holdings. When Ralcorp spun off its Post cereal business in February 2012, Stiritz took charge of the new company and began the acquisition strategy that later added Michael Foods and MOM B…
CEOs and their tenures
Hershey
- David J. West2007–2011
President and CEO
He left in 2011 and John Bilbrey succeeded him.
Source - John P. Bilbrey2011–2017
President and CEO
He retired in 2017 and Michele Buck succeeded him.
Source - Michele Buck2017–2025
Former Chief Executive Officer
Buck is universally credited with modernizing the historic chocolate company, transforming it into a diversified, resilient snacking empire capable of sustaining long-term growth.
Source - Kirk Tanner2025–present
Chief Executive Officer
While his tenure is just beginning Tanner is tasked with proving that Hershey's recent transition into a diversified 'snacking leader' can be integrated and scaled globally.
Source
Post Holdings
- William P. Stiritz2012–2014
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As the legendary Chairman and former CEO, the highly revered financial architect completely defined the company's complex, private-equity-style corporate structure.
Source - Robert V. Vitale2014–present
Executive Chairman (CEO 2014-2026)
Previously Post's CFO; from October 1, 2026 advises on capital allocation as Executive Chairman.
Source - Matthew J. Mainer2022–present
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
As CFO, he steers the company's aggressive, highly acquisitive capital allocation strategy, acting as the primary architect behind its massive M&A playbook.
Source - Nicolas Catoggio2026–present
President and Chief Executive Officer
Former Boston Consulting Group Managing Director and Senior Partner who advised Post on M&A diligence and integrations before joining.
Source
Timeline: Hershey and Post Holdings side by side
1894Hershey
Founding of Hershey Chocolate Company
Milton S. Hershey founded the Hershey Chocolate Company as a subsidiary of the Lancaster Caramel Company, initially producing chocolate coatings for his caramels before recognizing the potential of solid milk chocolate.
1900Hershey
Sale of Lancaster Caramel Company
Milton S. Hershey sold the Lancaster Caramel Company for $1 million to focus entirely on the chocolate business, retaining the chocolate department and the rights to the milk chocolate formula he had developed.
1903Hershey
Construction of the Hershey Factory
Construction began on the Hershey Chocolate factory in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, designed to be the most advanced chocolate manufacturing facility in the world, utilizing continuous-flow production systems.
1907Hershey
Introduction of Hershey's Kisses
The company launched the Hershey's Kiss, a small, teardrop-shaped piece of chocolate that was individually wrapped in a thin strip of foil, becoming one of the most well-known and recognizable confectionery products in history.
1928Hershey
Introduction of Mr. Goodbar
Hershey launched Mr. Goodbar, a milk chocolate bar packed with roasted peanuts, which became a commercial success and established the company's dominance in the combination chocolate bar category.
1938Hershey
Introduction of Krackel
The company introduced Krackel, a milk chocolate bar with crisped rice, expanding its portfolio of everyday chocolate bars and using its manufacturing expertise in rice processing.
1963Hershey
Introduction of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
While Reese's was founded earlier, Hershey acquired the brand in 1963, a move that would eventually create the company's largest and most profitable franchise, generating over $3 billion in annual retail sales today.
1996Hershey
Acquisition of Leaf Inc.
Hershey acquired Leaf Inc., adding well-known brands like Jolly Rancher, Whoppers, and Milk Duds to its portfolio, significantly expanding its presence in the non-chocolate confectionery market.
2012Post Holdings
Post Holdings Spin-Off
Post completed its separation from Ralcorp and began trading on the NYSE.
2013Post Holdings
Premier Nutrition Acquired
Post bought Premier Nutrition, the maker of Premier Protein, in 2013.
2014Post Holdings
Michael Foods Acquisition
Post expanded into egg products and foodservice through Michael Foods.
2015Post Holdings
MOM Brands Acquisition
Post broadened its cereal portfolio with MOM Brands.
2017Hershey
Michele Buck Appointed CEO
Michele Buck was appointed CEO, initiating a rigorous strategic transformation plan focused on portfolio diversification, manufacturing modernization, and supply chain resilience, which drove the company's success in navigating record cocoa inflation.
2017Post Holdings
Weetabix Acquisition
Post added the U.K. Weetabix cereal business.
2018Post Holdings
Bob Evans Acquisition
Post expanded refrigerated retail and foodservice exposure.
2019Post Holdings
BellRing Brands IPO
Post listed its active-nutrition business as BellRing Brands in October 2019.
2021Hershey
Acquisition of Dot's Homestyle Pretzels
Hershey acquired Dot's Homestyle Pretzels for about $1.2 billion and its manufacturing partner Pretzels Inc. in December 2021, expanding its salty snack segment.
2021Post Holdings
Peter Pan Acquired
Post bought the Peter Pan peanut butter brand from Conagra in January 2021.
2022Post Holdings
BellRing Brands Distribution
Post distributed most of its stake in BellRing Brands to its shareholders in March 2022.
2023Post Holdings
Pet Food Brands Acquired
Post bought Rachael Ray Nutrish, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and other pet food brands from J.M. Smucker in 2023 for about $1.2 billion.
2024Hershey
Record Net Income Before Cocoa Shock
Hershey reported $11.20 billion in 2024 net sales and record net income of $2.22 billion, before record cocoa costs hit 2025 results. In December 2024, reports said Mondelez had again approached Hershey about a deal; no transaction followed.
2025Hershey
Kirk Tanner Becomes CEO
Former Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner succeeded Michele Buck as President and CEO on August 18, 2025. Hershey closed the LesserEvil acquisition in November 2025 and reported $11.69 billion in 2025 net sales.
2025Post Holdings
8th Avenue Acquired
Post acquired the remaining interest in 8th Avenue Food & Provisions.
2026Post Holdings
CEO Transition
Nicolas Catoggio became President and CEO on October 1, 2026.
Acquisitions
Hershey
- LesserEvil2025$750M
- Dot's Homestyle Pretzels2021$1.2B
- Lily's Sweets2021$425M
- Amplify Snack Brands2018$1.6B
Post Holdings
- 8th Avenue Food & Provisions2025Undisclosed
- Pet Food Portfolio (J.M. Smucker)2023$1.2B
- Bob Evans Farms2018$1.5B
- Weetabix2017Undisclosed
- MOM Brands (Malt-O-Meal)2015$1.1B
- Michael Foods2014$2.5B
Questions about Hershey vs Post Holdings
Who is the CEO of The Hershey Company and Post Holdings, Inc.?
The Hershey Company is led by Kirk Tanner and Post Holdings, Inc. is led by Nicolas Catoggio. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was The Hershey Company founded vs Post Holdings, Inc.?
The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 — 118 years before Post Holdings, Inc., which was founded in 2012. The Hershey Company's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Post Holdings, Inc..
How many employees does The Hershey Company have compared to Post Holdings, Inc.?
The Hershey Company employs approximately 19,595 people, while Post Holdings, Inc. employs approximately 13,180. The Hershey Company has the larger workforce at 19,595 employees, compared to Post Holdings, Inc.'s 13,180. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are The Hershey Company and Post Holdings, Inc. headquartered?
Both The Hershey Company and Post Holdings, Inc. are headquartered in United States. Their local rules and tax obligations may still differ.
Who founded The Hershey Company and Post Holdings, Inc.?
The Hershey Company was founded by Milton S. Hershey. Post Holdings, Inc. was founded by William P. Stiritz.
Which company has a longer operating history — The Hershey Company or Post Holdings, Inc.?
The Hershey Company has been operating for approximately 132 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Post Holdings, Inc. has been in operation for around 14 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Hershey vs Post Holdings overview