Reese's Founder's Grandson Alleges Hershey Using Cheaper Ingredients

Accusations spark family feud over iconic peanut butter cups

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The 70-year-old grandson of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup creator is accusing the Hershey Company of switching to cheaper ingredients like vegetable oil-based compound coatings instead of real milk chocolate, as well as replacing peanut butter with peanut-flavored cremes. His claims have sparked a family feud, with his cousin who has a relative working at Hershey pleading with him to stop the "nightmare" he's created for the company.

Why it matters

The Reese's brand is one of Hershey's most iconic and lucrative products, so any perceived changes to the recipe or ingredients could significantly impact consumer trust and the company's bottom line. The family feud also highlights the sensitivities around a beloved legacy brand when changes are made, even if they are for business reasons.

The details

Brad Reese, the 70-year-old grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor H.B. Reese, claims Hershey has replaced the milk chocolate in Reese's products with cheaper vegetable oil-based compound coatings, and swapped out real peanut butter for peanut-flavored cremes. Reese says he was particularly upset when he had to throw away a new Valentine's Day Reese's product because it was "not edible." Hershey has acknowledged making "recipe adjustments" to create new Reese's products and innovations, but denies changing the ingredients in the original Peanut Butter Cup. Reese's cousin, whose daughter works at Hershey, has pleaded with him to stop his "unfounded negative comments" that have impacted the company's stock price.

  • Reese purchased a new Valentine's Day Reese's product in 2026 that he said was inedible.
  • Reese's LinkedIn posts criticizing Hershey went viral in early 2026.

The players

Brad Reese

The 70-year-old grandson of H.B. Reese, the inventor of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

H.B. Reese

The inventor of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

Becky Hilgers

Brad Reese's cousin, a realtor based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, whose daughter works for the Hershey Company.

The Hershey Company

The multinational chocolate and confectionery company that owns the Reese's brand.

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What they’re saying

“I can't just let it go. They're lowering the quality of ingredients, charging the same price and probably giving you a smaller product size. I'm really embarrassed as a member of the Reese family.”

— Brad Reese (The New York Post)

“Brad, this is your cousin Becky. You have created a nightmare for our family and the company. You might be in legal trouble because you're [sic] unfounded negative comments have affected the price of the stock. It's embarrassing to the entire Reese clan. Please stop!”

— Becky Hilgers, Cousin of Brad Reese (The New York Post)

“He's an attention-getter. He walks around everywhere he goes with a Reese's jacket on just so people will make conversation with him. He's bitter because his father blew through all the money he got and there was nothing left for his children.”

— Becky Hilgers, Cousin of Brad Reese (The New York Post)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Brad Reese to continue making public statements about Hershey's ingredients.

The takeaway

This family feud highlights the sensitivities around changes to beloved legacy brands like Reese's, even if those changes are driven by business needs. It also raises questions about transparency around ingredient modifications and the potential impact on consumer trust.