Hershey to Restore Classic Reese's Recipe

Change comes after criticism from Reese's founder's grandson over cheaper ingredients.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:56pm

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A photorealistic studio still-life image of a single Reese's peanut butter cup made with rich dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter, floating on a clean white background, conceptually representing the restoration of the original Reese's recipe.Hershey's decision to restore the classic Reese's recipe aims to preserve the iconic brand's reputation and consumer loyalty.Hershey Today

Hershey announced it will revert to using the classic recipe for all Reese's products starting next year. The decision follows criticism from the grandson of Reese's founder, who accused the company of shifting to cheaper ingredients in recent years.

Why it matters

Reese's is one of Hershey's most iconic and profitable brands, so maintaining the original recipe is crucial for preserving brand loyalty and the product's reputation among loyal consumers.

The details

Hershey said the shift back to the classic Reese's recipe will occur across all of the brand's product lines, including peanut butter cups, Reese's Pieces, and other variations. The change comes after William Reese, the grandson of H.B. Reese who founded the brand in 1928, publicly criticized Hershey for altering the original formula to cut costs.

  • Hershey announced the recipe change on April 2, 2026.
  • The classic Reese's recipe will be restored across all products starting in 2027.

The players

Hershey

The American chocolate company that owns the Reese's brand.

William Reese

The grandson of H.B. Reese, who founded the Reese's brand in 1928 and criticized Hershey for changing the original recipe.

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What they’re saying

“We must listen to our consumers and stay true to the classic Reese's recipe that has made the brand so popular for nearly a century.”

— Michele Buck, CEO, Hershey

What’s next

Hershey plans to launch a marketing campaign to promote the return to the original Reese's formula in 2027.

The takeaway

This decision by Hershey demonstrates the power of brand loyalty and the importance of maintaining the integrity of iconic product recipes, even in the face of cost-cutting pressures.