Grandson of Reese's Inventor Accuses Hershey of Cutting Corners

Brad Reese says parent company is using cheaper ingredients in many Reese's products.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Brad Reese, the grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups inventor H.B. Reese, is criticizing the Hershey Company for allegedly replacing milk chocolate and peanut butter with cheaper ingredients in various Reese's products. Reese claims this hurts the brand's reputation for quality and trust that was built over decades.

Why it matters

The Reese's brand is one of Hershey's most iconic and profitable product lines, so any perceived quality issues could significantly impact consumer trust and the company's bottom line. This dispute also highlights the challenges candy makers face in balancing innovation, consumer demands, and maintaining the integrity of long-standing recipes.

The details

In a letter to Hershey, Reese accused the company of replacing milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut creme in multiple Reese's products. Reese said he recently threw out a bag of Reese's Mini Hearts, a new Valentine's Day item, because the "chocolate candy and peanut butter creme" was "not edible." Hershey acknowledged making some recipe changes to allow for new product innovations, but said the core Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are still made with milk chocolate and peanut butter.

  • On February 14, 2026, Brad Reese sent a letter to Hershey's corporate brand manager criticizing the company's ingredient changes.
  • On February 19, 2026, the Associated Press reported on Reese's accusations against Hershey.

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 for two years before starting his own candy company in 1919.

Hershey Company

The parent company that acquired H.B. Reese's candy company in 1963 and owns the Reese's brand.

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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 ... that built Reese's trust in the first place?”

— Brad Reese (newser.com)

“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.”

— Hershey Company (newser.com)

What’s next

It is unclear if Brad Reese plans to take any further action against Hershey regarding the alleged ingredient changes.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the delicate balance candy makers must strike between innovation, cost-cutting, and preserving the integrity of iconic brands. Hershey will need to carefully manage consumer perceptions to avoid damaging the trust and loyalty built up in the Reese's brand over decades.