Reese's Heir Claims Hershey Changed Candy's Recipe, 'No Longer Matches' Identity

Brad Reese, grandson of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup creator, accuses Hershey of using cheaper ingredients in some Reese's products.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese who created the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, has accused The Hershey Company of changing the original recipe of the candy and using cheaper ingredients like compound coatings instead of milk chocolate and peanut-butter-style crèmes instead of peanut butter. Reese posted an open letter on LinkedIn arguing that Hershey needs to be transparent about the Reese's formula if the candy is going to continue to be marketed as one of the company's largest brands.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the challenges facing major candy brands as they navigate rising ingredient costs and consumer demands. Reese's is one of Hershey's most iconic and profitable products, so any perceived changes to the original recipe could damage the brand's reputation and trust with loyal customers.

The details

In his letter, Reese argued that Hershey is "rewriting" Reese's identity by making "formulation decisions that replace milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut‑butter‑style crèmes" across multiple Reese's products. Hershey has denied making drastic changes to the Reese's formula, stating that as they've expanded the product line, they've made adjustments to allow for new shapes, sizes, and innovations that fans have requested, "while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese's unique and special." Chocolate manufacturers worldwide have adjusted recipes and supply chains in recent years due to skyrocketing cocoa prices, though Reese said his concerns are "larger than market fluctuations."

  • Reese posted the open letter on LinkedIn on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
  • Hershey said in July 2025 that it was planning double-digit price increases amid rising cocoa costs.

The players

Brad Reese

The grandson of H.B. Reese, who created the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.

H.B. Reese

The inventor of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup before the Reese company merged with Hershey in the 1960s.

The Hershey Company

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

Todd Scott

The manager of corporate brand and editorial at Hershey.

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The takeaway

This dispute highlights the delicate balance major brands must strike between innovation, cost-cutting, and preserving the core identity that consumers have come to expect. Reese's is an iconic candy, and any perceived changes to the original recipe could damage the brand's reputation and trust with loyal customers.