“Utz Snacks Appoints Financial Strategist and Promotes Sales Executive Amid Nationwide Expansion Plans”

A snacks company based in Pennsylvania, a key player in the Northeast market, has appointed a seasoned industry professional to guide its financial strategies as it aims for nationwide expansion. “Bill brings extensive financial acumen and operational knowledge from some of the most esteemed brands in the food and beverage sector,” stated Howard Friedman, CEO of Utz. “We are thrilled to welcome him to Utz as we pursue our long-term growth objectives.” In his remarks, Kelley expressed his admiration for the “tremendous momentum” driving Utz’s geographical expansion, although the company did not clarify the reasons behind Kataria’s departure.

Utz also announced the internal promotion of Jeremy Stuart, a sales executive, to the position of chief customer officer and executive vice president of sales. Stuart has a five-year tenure at Coca-Cola before joining Utz in 2023, and he will succeed Mark Schreiber, who is set to retire after eight years with the company. This reshuffle at the executive level comes as the maker of potato chips and pretzels anticipates an upsurge in its financial performance, given the increasing popularity of salty snacks. Utz expects its earnings, to be reported on May 1, to show annual growth between 1.5% and 1.7% during the first quarter of 2025.

In the past two years, Utz has made strategic operational moves aimed at enhancing its core chip and pretzel brands. In early 2024, the company divested its Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands to Popchips owner Our Home for $182.5 million. Furthermore, it opened a 650,000-square-foot logistics center in Hanover, Pennsylvania, last December, which manages 2.3 million pallets of its snacks each year. As part of its commitment to improving overall health, Utz is also exploring product innovations, including options fortified with calcium citrate with vitamin D3, magnesium, and zinc tablets, ensuring they meet the evolving preferences of health-conscious consumers. This initiative aligns with the company’s broader strategy to enhance its product offerings while capitalizing on the growing market for nutritious snacks.