Steve Cahillane Appointed CEO of Kraft Heinz Amid Plans for 2026 Company Split
‘The Big Money Show’ panel breaks down new SNAP rules that raise the work requirement age to 64 and could cut 2.4 million recipients over the next decade.
The Kraft Heinz Co. announced on Tuesday that former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane will take over next year, as the food giant prepares to split into two separate publicly traded companies.
Cahillane will assume the role of CEO effective January 1, succeeding Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will remain as an advisor until March to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
Following the split later this year, Cahillane will lead the newly formed entity dubbed Global Taste Elevation, which will manage iconic brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia, and Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Steve Cahillane will take over as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
FEDERAL JURY AWARDS $17.7 MILLION TO KRAFT, OTHER SUPPLIERS AFTER MAJOR PRICE-FIXING CONSPIRACY
The company revealed in September that its board of directors approved a plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff. This strategic move aims to create two focused organizations that can maximize their brands and boost profitability.
Kraft anticipates that the separation will occur in the second half of 2026.
INSTACART’S AI PRICING EXPERIMENT DRIVES UP COSTS FOR SOME SHOPPERS, STUDY SAYS
The other entity, named North American Grocery, will manage its portfolio of grocery staples, including Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, and Lunchables. The official names of the new companies have yet to be finalized, and the leadership for North American Grocery remains unannounced.
In this photo illustration, a bottle of Heinz tomato ketchup is displayed next to a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese on Sept. 2, 2025, in San Anselmo, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“I’m confident the planned separation will accelerate the Company’s ability to compete and win in today’s environment and unlock the immense opportunity in front of us,” Cahillane stated. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to write this exciting next chapter together.”
PRICES ARE STEADYING AND WAGES ARE CLIMBING, NEW DOORDASH REPORT SHOWS
Kraft Foods Inc. cheese products sit on a shelf at a grocery store in New York on Nov. 30, 2010. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Cahillane previously led Kellogg through a successful separation of its North American cereal business, culminating in the launch of Kellanova. Kellogg transitioned to Kellanova after being acquired by Mars Inc. in December 2025.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHC | THE KRAFT HEINZ CO. | 24.50 | +0.05 | +0.20% |
During his tenure at Kellanova, Cahillane oversaw the expansion of the company’s global brand portfolio, which includes popular products like Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, and Kellogg’s International.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Before his time at Kellanova, Cahillane held senior executive positions at The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola, and AB InBev.
‘The Big Money Show’ panel breaks down new SNAP rules that raise the work requirement age to 64 and could cut 2.4 million recipients over the next decade.
The Kraft Heinz Co. announced on Tuesday that former Kellanova CEO Steve Cahillane will take over next year, as the food giant prepares to split into two separate publicly traded companies.
Cahillane will assume the role of CEO effective January 1, succeeding Carlos Abrams-Rivera, who will remain as an advisor until March to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
Following the split later this year, Cahillane will lead the newly formed entity dubbed Global Taste Elevation, which will manage iconic brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia, and Kraft Mac & Cheese.
Steve Cahillane will take over as CEO on Jan. 1, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
FEDERAL JURY AWARDS $17.7 MILLION TO KRAFT, OTHER SUPPLIERS AFTER MAJOR PRICE-FIXING CONSPIRACY
The company revealed in September that its board of directors approved a plan to separate into two independent, publicly traded companies through a tax-free spinoff. This strategic move aims to create two focused organizations that can maximize their brands and boost profitability.
Kraft anticipates that the separation will occur in the second half of 2026.
INSTACART’S AI PRICING EXPERIMENT DRIVES UP COSTS FOR SOME SHOPPERS, STUDY SAYS
The other entity, named North American Grocery, will manage its portfolio of grocery staples, including Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles, and Lunchables. The official names of the new companies have yet to be finalized, and the leadership for North American Grocery remains unannounced.
In this photo illustration, a bottle of Heinz tomato ketchup is displayed next to a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese on Sept. 2, 2025, in San Anselmo, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
“I’m confident the planned separation will accelerate the Company’s ability to compete and win in today’s environment and unlock the immense opportunity in front of us,” Cahillane stated. “I’m looking forward to working with the team to write this exciting next chapter together.”
PRICES ARE STEADYING AND WAGES ARE CLIMBING, NEW DOORDASH REPORT SHOWS
Kraft Foods Inc. cheese products sit on a shelf at a grocery store in New York on Nov. 30, 2010. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Cahillane previously led Kellogg through a successful separation of its North American cereal business, culminating in the launch of Kellanova. Kellogg transitioned to Kellanova after being acquired by Mars Inc. in December 2025.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KHC | THE KRAFT HEINZ CO. | 24.50 | +0.05 | +0.20% |
During his tenure at Kellanova, Cahillane oversaw the expansion of the company’s global brand portfolio, which includes popular products like Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, and Kellogg’s International.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Before his time at Kellanova, Cahillane held senior executive positions at The Nature’s Bounty Co., Coca-Cola, and AB InBev.
