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Kraft Heinz Taps Kellanova Veteran to Lead Split as Shares Rise

MarketDash Editorial Team
8 hours ago
Kraft Heinz shares climbed Tuesday as the food giant unveiled new leadership for its upcoming corporate split, bringing in former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane to steer one of the two independent companies it plans to create next year.

The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) is shuffling its executive deck ahead of what might be the biggest corporate breakup in the food world this year. Shares traded up about 1.18% to around $24.79 on Tuesday after the packaged food giant announced that Steve Cahillane will take over as CEO effective January 1.

The timing isn't random. Kraft Heinz announced back in September that it would split into two separate public companies later next year, and Cahillane is being brought in to run one of them: Global Taste Elevation Co. The move comes with some serious credentials behind it—Cahillane most recently ran Kellanova until Mars acquired it in late 2025, and before that, he successfully navigated Kellogg through its own corporate separation. So he's done this dance before.

Cahillane will also join the board of directors when he officially starts, giving him a seat at the table as the company executes what it's calling a strategic transformation. His resume stretches across more than three decades in the food and beverage world, including senior leadership stints at Coca-Cola, AB InBev, and Nature's Bounty.

"I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time," Cahillane said.

Leadership Transition Underway

Current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down on January 1, though he's not disappearing entirely. He'll stick around as an advisor through March 6, which the board says will help maintain continuity during the handoff. Abrams-Rivera played a key role in getting the company ready for the split, so keeping him involved through the early stages makes sense.

Meanwhile, John T. Cahill is moving up to board chair as part of the transition. He's replacing Miguel Patricio, who currently holds the chair position but will remain on the board. Cahill will also continue leading the board's separation committee, keeping oversight of the split as it unfolds.

Still Looking for a Grocery Boss

The big question mark? Who's going to run the other half of the business. The board has launched a global search for a CEO to lead North American Grocery Co., the second entity that will emerge from the split. Both companies will operate independently with their own strategies once the separation is complete.

At last check Tuesday, Kraft Heinz (KHC) shares were trading higher by 1% to $24.76.

Back to News

Kraft Heinz Taps Kellanova Veteran to Lead Split as Shares Rise

MarketDash Editorial Team
8 hours ago
Kraft Heinz shares climbed Tuesday as the food giant unveiled new leadership for its upcoming corporate split, bringing in former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane to steer one of the two independent companies it plans to create next year.

The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) is shuffling its executive deck ahead of what might be the biggest corporate breakup in the food world this year. Shares traded up about 1.18% to around $24.79 on Tuesday after the packaged food giant announced that Steve Cahillane will take over as CEO effective January 1.

The timing isn't random. Kraft Heinz announced back in September that it would split into two separate public companies later next year, and Cahillane is being brought in to run one of them: Global Taste Elevation Co. The move comes with some serious credentials behind it—Cahillane most recently ran Kellanova until Mars acquired it in late 2025, and before that, he successfully navigated Kellogg through its own corporate separation. So he's done this dance before.

Cahillane will also join the board of directors when he officially starts, giving him a seat at the table as the company executes what it's calling a strategic transformation. His resume stretches across more than three decades in the food and beverage world, including senior leadership stints at Coca-Cola, AB InBev, and Nature's Bounty.

"I am honored to be joining Kraft Heinz as CEO at such a pivotal and exciting time," Cahillane said.

Leadership Transition Underway

Current CEO Carlos Abrams-Rivera will step down on January 1, though he's not disappearing entirely. He'll stick around as an advisor through March 6, which the board says will help maintain continuity during the handoff. Abrams-Rivera played a key role in getting the company ready for the split, so keeping him involved through the early stages makes sense.

Meanwhile, John T. Cahill is moving up to board chair as part of the transition. He's replacing Miguel Patricio, who currently holds the chair position but will remain on the board. Cahill will also continue leading the board's separation committee, keeping oversight of the split as it unfolds.

Still Looking for a Grocery Boss

The big question mark? Who's going to run the other half of the business. The board has launched a global search for a CEO to lead North American Grocery Co., the second entity that will emerge from the split. Both companies will operate independently with their own strategies once the separation is complete.

At last check Tuesday, Kraft Heinz (KHC) shares were trading higher by 1% to $24.76.