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 trust.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Brad Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese who invented Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, has accused The Hershey Co. 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 trust of the iconic Reese's brand that his grandfather built.

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 could significantly impact consumer trust and brand loyalty. As a descendant of the inventor, Reese's criticism carries weight and could force Hershey to address concerns about ingredient changes.

The details

In a letter to Hershey, Reese said the company has replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème in multiple Reese's products like Reese's Take5, Fast Break, and Reese's Mini Hearts. Hershey acknowledged some recipe changes but said it was trying to meet consumer demand for innovation and respond to high cocoa prices.

  • Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were invented by H.B. Reese in 1928.
  • H.B. Reese's company was sold to Hershey in 1963.
  • Reese wrote his letter to Hershey on February 14, 2026.

The players

Brad Reese

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

H.B. Reese

The inventor of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, who worked at Hershey before starting his own candy company in 1919.

The Hershey Co.

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

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What’s next

Hershey has said it will review Brad Reese's concerns about ingredient changes to its Reese's products.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the challenges iconic brands face in balancing innovation and cost-savings with maintaining the core qualities that built consumer trust over decades. Hershey will need to carefully navigate this issue to protect the Reese's brand reputation.