MrBeast Backs Reese's Inventor's Grandson in Hershey's Ingredient Dispute

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YouTube star and entrepreneur MrBeast has publicly backed criticism from Brad Reese, the grandson of the inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, over alleged changes to the core ingredients in Reese's products by parent company The Hershey Company. MrBeast, who launched his own competing chocolate brand Feastables in 2022, shared Reese's LinkedIn post accusing Hershey's of replacing milk chocolate and real peanut butter with alternative ingredients like "peanut‑butter‑style crèmes" in some Reese's products.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing competition between legacy confectionery brands like Hershey's and newer challenger brands like MrBeast's Feastables, as well as the importance of maintaining the integrity of iconic candy recipes to loyal consumers.

The details

In his LinkedIn post, Brad Reese, the grandson of Reese's inventor H.B. Reese, accused Hershey's of making changes to the core Reese's Peanut Butter Cup recipe by replacing milk chocolate and real peanut butter with alternative ingredients like "peanut‑butter‑style crèmes" across some products. MrBeast, who has been competing with Hershey's since launching his own chocolate brand Feastables in 2022, then shared Reese's message on X, writing "FYI this is why Feastables started selling peanut butter cups."

• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were first invented by H.B. Reese in the 1920s.
• Hershey's acquired the Reese's brand in 1963.
• MrBeast launched his Feastables chocolate brand in 2022.

What they’re saying

What’s next

This is a developing story, and it remains to be seen how Hershey's will respond to the criticism from Brad Reese and MrBeast over the alleged changes to the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup recipe.