Nils-Gerrit Wunsch
Research expert covering foods trends in North America, Europe, and the global food system
The Hershey Company - statistics & facts
The Hershey Company - commonly called Hershey’s - is a producer of chocolates, sweets, and mints from the United States. The company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey in his hometown of Derry Church in Pennsylvania. Derry Church was renamed Hershey in 1906 following the growing popularity of the company’s products. Hershey, PA remains the company’s headquarters. Ever since its inception, Hershey's has grown to become one of the leading confectionery companies in the world. It currently ranks fourth just behind Ferrero.
Company financials
Hershey’s generates annual net sales of over 11 billion U.S. dollars worldwide. With the exception of 2015, the company’s net sales have been growing annually since 2006. Currently, Hershey’s has a workforce of almost 20,500 full-time and part-time employees globally. Compared to previous years, this is the fourth consecutive increase in full-time employee numbers since 2019. Company operations are centered around the U.S. market. With less than a billion U.S. dollars in sales, only a fraction of company sales are made internationally. In the U.S. the company increasingly generates sales with salty snacks. Its core business remains confectionery by a large margin.Hershey's portfolio and brands
The company’s product portfolio encompasses chocolate, non-chocolate, chewing gums, ice cream, and milk drinks. Hershey’s well-known brands include Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, and Hershey's Kisses. In the U.S. the company also owns the rights to the Kit Kat brand. About 93 percent of Americans recognize Hershey’s brand. In the United Kingdom, it is less well-known but still recognized by almost 79 percent of consumers. Among those U.S. consumers who eat chocolate, it is even more well-known and popular with 61 percent of chocolate and candy bar consumers. The company launched over 100 confectionery products in 2022.
