Prime Highlights
- Kraft Heinz has appointed former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane to lead the company as it prepares for a major restructuring.
- The leadership change signals a renewed focus on reviving and accelerating growth across some of the company’s most iconic global brands.
Key Facts
- Steve Cahillane will assume the role of CEO on January 1 and is expected to lead the high-growth brands business after the company splits.
- Kraft Heinz plans to separate into two publicly listed companies by the second half of 2026.
Background:
Kraft Heinz has named former Kellanova chief executive Steve Cahillane as its new CEO, marking a key leadership move as the food giant prepares for a major corporate restructuring. Cahillane will take charge on January 1, steering the company through its transition ahead of a planned breakup next year.
The company intends to separate into two independently listed businesses by the second half of 2026. Following the split, Cahillane will lead the division currently referred to as Global Taste Elevation, which will house several of Kraft Heinz’s faster-growing and globally recognized brands, including Heinz, Philadelphia and Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Cahillane brings experience in overseeing large-scale transformations, having guided Kellogg through its own split in 2023. That move separated the company’s cereal business from its faster-growing snacks arm, later renamed Kellanova, which was acquired by Mars in a $35.9 billion deal. Speaking about his new role, Cahillane said the opportunity lies in modernizing iconic brands and restoring momentum in their growth.
Outgoing CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who has led Kraft Heinz since 2024, will transition into an advisory role through early March. The company’s board has begun the search for a new chief executive to head the second business, temporarily called North American Grocery, which includes well-known brands such as Oscar Mayer and Kraft Singles.
In a separate leadership change, former Kraft CEO John Cahill will take over as chair of the board, succeeding Miguel Patricio. Kraft Heinz confirmed that the separation plan follows several years of slow sales growth and represents a significant shift from the $46 billion merger that created the company a decade ago.
Shares of Kraft Heinz edged higher following the announcement, even as the stock remains down over the past year, reflecting investor interest in the company’s restructuring plans and renewed focus on growth.
