Kraft Heinz names new CEO ahead of major split

The Kraft Heinz Co. announced connected Tuesday that erstwhile Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane will return complete adjacent twelvemonth earlier nan nutrient elephantine splits into 2 abstracted publically traded companies.   

Cahillane will return complete arsenic CEO effective Jan. 1, succeeding Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will still service arsenic an advisor to nan institution until March to guarantee a seamless activity transition. 

When nan companies divided later successful nan year, Cahillane will lead nan business it's calling Global Taste Elevation. That institution will oversee brands for illustration Heinz, Philadelphia and Kraft Mac & Cheese.

Steve Cahillane will return complete arsenic CEO connected Jan. 1, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)

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The institution announced successful September that its committee of board approved a scheme to divided it into 2 independent, publically traded companies done a tax-free spinoff. The purpose is to create 2 much focused organizations pinch little complexity that will beryllium capable to maximize their brands and boost profitability.

Kraft projected that nan separation will hap successful nan 2nd half of 2026. 

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The different company, called North American Grocery, will oversee its portfolio of market staples for illustration Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. The charismatic names of nan caller companies haven't yet been determined. The institution besides hasn't announced who will lead its North American Grocery business.

In this photograph illustration, a vessel of Heinz herb ketchup is displayed adjacent to a container of Kraft Mac & Cheese connected Sept. 2, 2025, successful San Anselmo, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

"I’m assured nan planned separation will accelerate nan Company’s expertise to compete and triumph successful today’s situation and unlock nan immense opportunity successful beforehand of us," Cahillane said. "I’m looking guardant to moving pinch nan squad to constitute this breathtaking adjacent section together."  

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Kraft Foods Inc. food products beryllium connected a support astatine a market shop successful New York connected Nov. 30, 2010. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Cahillane led Kellogg done its ain successful separation of its North American cereal business and nan motorboat of Kellanova. Kellogg became Kellanova aft it was acquired by Mars Inc. successful December 2025. 

During his clip astatine Kellanova, Cahillane oversaw nan description of nan company’s world marque portfolio, including Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts and Kellogg’s International. 

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Prior to his clip astatine Kellanova, Cahillane held elder executive roles astatine The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola and AB InBev.