HSY · 8-K · 20261029PR068046

Acquisition / Partnership / Divestiture

HERSHEY CO · 2026-10-29 · Importance 65 · Surprise 82

LesserEvil acquisition and integration costs were $36.4 million in Q3 2026, compared with $1.6 million in Q3 2025; nine-month costs were $54.1 million versus $5.0 million. LesserEvil was integrated into North America Salty Snacks, where the acquisition contributed approximately 20 percentage points to Q3 segment sales growth. The company also incurred integration costs related to the Sour Strips brand in North America Confectionery, including contingent-consideration remeasurement adjustments.

Key facts

• Hershey recorded $36.4 million of acquisition and integration-related activities in the third quarter of 2026. source
• Hershey’s 2026 net sales growth outlook reflects an approximately 200-basis-point benefit from the 2025 LesserEvil acquisition. source
• The LesserEvil acquisition contributed 2.1 percentage points to third-quarter 2026 net sales growth, and foreign exchange contributed 0.1 points. source
• Hershey incurred 2026 integration costs for the LesserEvil acquisition in North America Salty Snacks and for integrating Sour Strips from Actual Candy into North America Confectionery, including contingent consideration remeasurement adjustments. source