Chris Brandt
Director at HSY
Board
About Chris Brandt
Chris Brandt was appointed to The Hershey Company’s Board effective August 11, 2025, and the Board determined he is an independent director under NYSE standards. He is a seasoned consumer-marketing executive with 25+ years in food and beverage and currently serves as President, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill, responsible for creative, media, culinary innovation, social, loyalty and analytics, and new restaurant development. He previously held senior brand leadership roles at Bloomin’ Brands (EVP & Chief Brand Officer) and Taco Bell (Chief Brand Officer). Tenure on HSY’s board began August 11, 2025 .
Past Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Committees/Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. | Executive Vice President & Chief Brand Officer | Not disclosed | Led marketing across Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s |
| Taco Bell (Yum! Brands) | Chief Brand Officer | Not disclosed | Led enterprise brand/marketing strategy |
External Roles
| Organization | Role | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipotle Mexican Grill | President, Chief Brand Officer | Current | Oversees all marketing, culinary innovation, loyalty/analytics, and new restaurant development |
Board Governance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Appointment date | August 11, 2025 |
| Independence status | Independent director (NYSE) |
| Committees | Compensation & Human Capital Committee; Finance & Risk Management Committee |
| Chair roles | None disclosed |
- Board attendance culture: HSY’s Board held 20 meetings in 2024; each incumbent director attended at least 97% of Board/committee meetings; average attendance 97% .
- Committee purview (for context): Compensation & Human Capital oversees executive comp, HCM/DEI and pay equity; Finance & Risk Management oversees ERM, capital structure, M&A, and supply-chain human rights/responsible sourcing policies .
Fixed Compensation
HSY’s non-employee director compensation framework (unchanged for 2025):
| Component | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual retainer (non-employee director) | 105,000 | Paid quarterly; directors may elect cash or stock; deferrable |
| Annual RSU award | 170,000 | Granted quarterly ($42,500/quarter ÷ 3-day avg price); 1-year vest; dividend equivalents; deferrable |
| Committee chair retainer (Audit, Compensation, Governance, Finance & Risk) | 25,000 | Additional to base retainer (if chair) |
| Lead Independent Director retainer | 50,000 | Additional to base retainer |
- Deferral options: cash-account (fund options) or Common Stock unit account; director-elected, paid in cash or stock units per election .
- Grants and vesting mechanics (directors): RSUs vest after 1 year or earlier upon retirement, death, disability, change in control, or certain circumstances for HTC-designated directors; dividend equivalents accrue in units .
- Ownership guideline: Directors are expected to hold HSY stock valued at ≥5x annual retainer, to be met by January 1 following the fifth anniversary of Board service commencement .
Performance Compensation
| Element | Structure | Metrics/Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Annual equity (RSUs) | Time-based vesting | Non-employee director RSUs vest after one year; no performance metrics apply |
Other Directorships & Interlocks
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Public company boards | None disclosed by HSY for Brandt |
| Potential interlocks / related-party transactions | HSY disclosed no transactions requiring Item 404(a) related-person disclosure in connection with Brandt’s appointment |
Expertise & Qualifications
- 25+ years of food and beverage marketing leadership; prior CBO roles at Taco Bell and Bloomin’ Brands; current President, Chief Brand Officer at Chipotle .
- Functional depth across creative, media, loyalty/analytics, culinary innovation, and development; brings consumer growth and brand-building expertise aligned to HSY’s CPG focus .
Equity Ownership
| Holder | Title of Security | Amount | Ownership Form | Event/As-of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Brandt | Common Stock | 7 | Direct (D) | Initial statement of beneficial ownership; event date Aug 11, 2025; Form 3 filed Aug 19, 2025 |
- Hedging/pledging: Company policy prohibits directors from hedging or pledging HSY stock .
- Ownership guideline: ≥5x annual retainer; five-year phase-in for new directors .
Insider Trades
| Filing | Event Date | Filed | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 3 (Initial Statement of Beneficial Ownership) | Aug 11, 2025 | Aug 19, 2025 | Reported 7 HSY common shares, direct ownership |
Governance Assessment
- Board effectiveness and alignment: Independent appointment with clear committee assignments (Compensation & Human Capital; Finance & Risk) that leverage Brandt’s consumer/brand expertise while engaging in ERM and human-capital oversight—positive for governance depth and risk oversight .
- Independence/Conflicts: Board determined he meets NYSE independence standards; HSY reported no related-party transactions requiring disclosure at appointment—no apparent conflicts at entry (monitoring ongoing is prudent) .
- Ownership alignment: Strong policy framework—annual RSU grants, 5x retainer ownership guideline, and anti-hedging/pledging restrictions support alignment; initial holdings are de minimis as expected for a new appointee with a five-year build window .
- Attendance/engagement signals: HSY’s Board historically maintains high attendance (97% average in 2024), with frequent meetings and executive sessions, supporting robust oversight culture .
RED FLAGS: None identified in HSY disclosures regarding Brandt’s appointment; no Item 404(a) related-person transactions; hedging/pledging prohibited by policy .