Grandson of Reese's Inventor Accuses Hershey of Cutting Corners

Brad Reese says Hershey has replaced key ingredients in Reese's products, hurting the brand's quality and reputation.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese who invented the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, has accused The Hershey Company of replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème in many Reese's products. Reese says this has hurt the quality and reputation of the iconic Reese's brand that his grandfather built. Hershey acknowledges some recipe changes but says it is trying to meet consumer demand for innovation.

Why it matters

The Reese's brand is one of Hershey's most valuable and recognizable products, so any perceived changes to the core recipe and ingredients could significantly impact consumer trust and brand loyalty. This dispute highlights the challenges large food companies face in balancing innovation with maintaining the integrity of classic products.

The details

In a letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager, Brad Reese said the company has replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème in multiple Reese's products. Reese said he recently threw out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts because 'it was not edible.' Hershey acknowledged some recipe changes but said it is trying to meet consumer demand for innovation, and that the core Reese's Peanut Butter Cup recipe remains the same.

  • On Feb. 14, Brad Reese sent a letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager about the recipe changes.
  • In 2019, Hershey released Reese's Mini Hearts for Valentine's Day.

The players

Brad Reese

The 70-year-old grandson of H.B. Reese, who invented the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in 1928.

H.B. Reese

The inventor of the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, who spent two years at Hershey before forming his own candy company in 1919.

The Hershey Company

The large American chocolate and confectionery company that acquired H.B. Reese's candy company in 1963.

Steven Voskuil

The Chief Financial Officer of The Hershey Company.

Milton Hershey

The founder of The Hershey Company, known for the quote 'Give them quality, that's the best advertising.'

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What they’re saying

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese's as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese's trust in the first place?”

— Brad Reese (LinkedIn)

“As we've grown and expanded the Reese's product line, we make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes and innovations that Reese's fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese's unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter.”

— The Hershey Company (The Associated Press)

“I would say in all the changes that we've made thus far, there has been no consumer impact whatsoever. As you can imagine, even on the smallest brand in the portfolio, if we were to make a change, there's extensive consumer testing.”

— Steven Voskuil, Chief Financial Officer, The Hershey Company (Conference call with investors)

“Give them quality, that's the best advertising.”

— Milton Hershey (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Hershey said it will continue to monitor consumer feedback and make any necessary adjustments to maintain the quality and integrity of the Reese's brand.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the delicate balance large food companies must strike between innovation and preserving the core recipes and ingredients that made their iconic brands successful in the first place. Hershey will need to carefully navigate this challenge to maintain consumer trust in the Reese's brand.