Overview
- Kraft Heinz will separate into Global Taste Elevation Co. for sauces, spreads and shelf‑stable meals and North American Grocery Co. for staples such as Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables.
- The company targets a tax‑free separation in the second half of 2026 and estimates up to $300 million in dis‑synergies, with plans to mitigate a substantial portion.
- Current CEO Carlos Abrams‑Rivera will lead North American Grocery Co., and the board has begun a search for a chief executive to run Global Taste Elevation Co.
- Shares fell roughly 5% to 7% after the announcement as investors questioned the move, and Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway holds about 27% of Kraft Heinz, said he was disappointed by the plan.
- Management says both entities will retain Chicago and Pittsburgh headquarters and intend to preserve dividends, aligning the move with a broader industry shift toward simpler, focused portfolios.