Hormel Foods Corporation reports developments as a global branded food company with a portfolio spanning Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and other food brands. Company updates commonly address quarterly earnings, dividends on common stock, product and menu innovation, foodservice offerings, retail launches, and portfolio actions across perishable and shelf-stable foods.
Recent corporate news also reflects Hormel's shift toward value-added proteins, including the completed sale of its whole-bird turkey business while retaining the Jennie-O brand and value-added turkey products. Other recurring themes include food safety and quality leadership, community programs tied to food security, and brand activity in categories such as pizza toppings, sauces, marinades, nut butters and packaged proteins.
Hormel Foods (HRL) released its 20th annual Global Impact Report, covering fiscal 2025 progress under its Good Feeds Us All framework.
The report covers environmental and social initiatives. Virgin plastics in packaging fell by more than 2.5 million pounds compared with a 2021 baseline, while packaging initiatives saved approximately 1.1 million pounds of material. Purchased palm oil achieved 100% plantation-level traceability and was all certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. Hormel contributed more than $575,000 toward eligible employees' tuition and supported 186 students through Inspired Pathways. Cash and product donations totaled approximately $12.4 million, including more than 5 million pounds of food.
Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) named Holly LaVallie vice president of marketing excellence, bringing her back to the company. She will lead the development and execution of enterprise marketing capabilities designed to support brand growth across its Retail, Foodservice and International businesses. Her responsibilities include brand strategy and experience, design and content, media and agency management, marketing technology, training and effectiveness.
LaVallie returns after serving as senior vice president of marketing, research and development, and PMO at Link Snacks. She previously spent 19 years at Hormel Foods in leadership roles spanning brand management, planning, innovation, new business development and general management.
The PLANTERS brand (HRL) will return to Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with a new float on November 26, 2026.
The appearance coincides with the brand's 120th anniversary, MR. PEANUT's 110th birthday and the parade's 100th march. MR. PEANUT last appeared in the parade in 2016. The float will feature a Ferris wheel showing the character's evolution from his 1916 design to his current appearance. A promotional sweepstakes offers a chance to win a parade trip for up to five people, including grandstand tickets, airfare and hotel accommodations.
The SKIPPY brand (HRL) and Bauducco have debuted SKIPPY Peanut Butter Chocottone, combining peanut butter with Bauducco's chocolate holiday loaf. Bauducco is also introducing Pistachio Chocottone. Both products will be available beginning in October at food and grocery retailers across the U.S. The brands plan additional SKIPPY-inspired creations as part of an ongoing collaboration.
Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers from the Brakebush family for approximately $1.055 billion. Closing is expected during the first quarter of Hormel Foods' fiscal 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.
Brakebush supplies processed chicken to national and regional foodservice operators and generated approximately $1.2 billion in net sales over the last 12 months. It operates five production facilities and two research and development labs. Hormel Foods expects the acquisition to expand its chicken business and Foodservice customer reach, generate growth, create operational synergies and enhance cash flows. It also expects the acquisition to increase adjusted earnings per share beginning in fiscal 2028 and to report Brakebush's operating results primarily in its Foodservice segment.
Hormel Foods (NYSE: HRL) appointed Aaron Asmus and Lisa Selk to research and development leadership roles, effective Oct. 26, 2026.
Asmus was promoted to vice president of research and development (R&D) and will lead all functions within the organization. He will report to Kevin Myers, senior vice president of R&D and food safety and quality. His responsibilities include innovation and commercialization, with a focus on food safety, quality and regulatory requirements. Selk was named vice president of growth and innovation, R&D. She will report to Asmus and focus on growth, innovation and connecting R&D with consumers and the company's brands.
Hormel Foods (HRL) is seeking three college graduates to travel in its PLANTERS NUTmobile beginning in June 2027.
Applications are open through Nov. 1, 2026, at BeAPeanutter.com and require a resume and short video. The paid, full-time roles involve traveling across the United States, creating social media content and working with media at events.
Hormel Foods (HRL) declared a quarterly common-stock dividend of $0.2925 per share, payable November 16, 2026.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on October 13, 2026, will receive the payment. It marks the company’s 393rd consecutive quarterly dividend.
Hormel Foods (HRL) and The Culinary Institute of America have opened applications for the National Culinary Enrichment and Innovation Program (CEIP) class of 2028, a year-long advanced leadership program for accomplished foodservice chefs.
The program selects 20 participants for three immersive modules held at CIA campuses in Napa Valley, California (April 5–8, 2027), San Antonio, Texas (October 2027, date TBA), and Hyde Park, New York (April 2028, date TBA). Hormel Foods underwrites all tuition fees and meals, while participants cover transportation, lodging and personal expenses. Applications are open through Nov. 30, 2026, for culinary professionals with 10+ years of experience, proven culinary and leadership skills, and a long-term commitment to the industry, via www.ceipinfo.com.
Hormel Foods (HRL) has launched SPAM® Hot Honey as a new permanent flavor in the SPAM® lineup, adding a sweet-and-spicy profile to the canned meat and rolling it out at select grocery retailers nationwide as of Sept. 14, 2026.
To promote the flavor, the SPAM® brand is collaborating with New York City's Win Son Bakery from Sept. 14–20, 2026, offering two limited-edition breakfast items at the bakery’s Brooklyn and Manhattan locations: a SPAM® Hot Honey breakfast sandwich on a scallion pancake, and a SPAM® Hot Honey Fan Tuan, a Taiwanese sticky rice roll. Fans can also access the breakfast sandwich recipe on the SPAM® website.
The collaboration includes a limited-time, streetwear-inspired merch capsule featuring a T-shirt, hat and tote bag, available nationwide via Win Son Bakery’s website and in-store at both locations while supplies last.