Wendy’s president and CEO Kirk Tanner will leave the company later this month to become head of Hershey.

Tanner will depart The Wendy’s Company on July 18 and assume the role of president and CEO of The Hershey Company on August 18.

Tanner has been CEO of Wendy’s since February last year. Prior to joining the company, he was CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America.

The Wendy’s board has appointed CFO Ken Cook as interim CEO and has launched a comprehensive search to select a permanent chief executive.

“We are grateful to Ken for accepting the role of interim CEO and have the utmost confidence in him and the senior leadership team to lead the company and to continue to execute on our growth plan,” commented Wendy’s chairman Art Winkleblack.

“We understand Kirk’s decision to return to the consumer-packaged goods industry and wish him well in leading Hershey,” he added.

Tanner’s appointment at Hershey comes after the company’s president and CEO Michele Buck announced her intention to retire at the beginning of this year. 

Buck will work closely with Tanner in a senior advisory capacity to ensure a smooth transition.