Kraft Heinz has named former Kellanova chief executive Steve Cahillane as its new chief executive officer, effective January 1 2026. Cahillane will also join the board and will lead the Global Taste Elevation Co., the larger, globally focused entity that will emerge from the company’s planned separation.
The appointment follows the departure of current CEO Carlos Abrams‑Rivera, who will step down on January 1 and remain as an advisor until March 6 2026 to ensure a smooth transition. The board’s decision reflects a strategy to accelerate the split and unlock value by placing experienced leadership at the helm of the larger unit.
Cahillane brings a track record of steering large consumer‑goods companies through significant transformations. He most recently served as chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova, which was acquired by Mars, Inc. in December 2025. His experience in managing a high‑profile acquisition and guiding a company through a transition is seen as a key asset for the Global Taste Elevation Co.
The split, announced in September 2025, will create two independent companies: the Global Taste Elevation Co. and the North American Grocery Co. The move is intended to simplify the organization, improve capital allocation, and allow each entity to focus on its core markets. By separating the global and North American businesses, Kraft Heinz aims to unlock value that has been constrained by its complex structure.
Kraft Heinz’s most recent quarterly results, released on October 29 2025, showed net sales of $6.24 billion, a 2.3% year‑over‑year decline, and an adjusted earnings per share of $0.61, beating analyst estimates of $0.57 by $0.04. The decline in sales was driven by a 3.5‑percentage‑point drop in volume and mix, while cost controls helped preserve earnings. The company also lowered its full‑year 2025 outlook, reflecting concerns about weak top‑line momentum and declining organic sales.
Investors reacted positively to the leadership change and split announcement, but remain cautious about the company’s underlying performance. Analysts highlighted the need for sustained demand growth and tighter cost discipline to overcome the recent sales decline. The appointment of Cahillane is viewed as a step toward restoring confidence in Kraft Heinz’s ability to execute its transformation plan.
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