The Pennsylvania-based snack company, a key player in the Northeast market, has appointed an industry veteran to guide its financial strategies as it expands its reach across the nation. “Bill brings extensive financial knowledge and operational experience from some of the most esteemed names in the food and beverage sector,” stated Howard Frieman, CEO of Utz. “We are thrilled to have him join Utz as we progress with our long-term growth plan.” In his own remarks, Kelley expressed his admiration for the “tremendous momentum” behind Utz’s geographic expansion. The company did not provide specific reasons for 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, who previously spent five years at Coca-Cola before joining Utz in 2023, takes over from Mark Schreiber, who is set to retire after eight years with the company.
This reshuffle in the executive team comes as the maker of potato chips and pretzels expects an uptick in its financial performance, fueled by the increasing popularity of salty snacks. Utz anticipates that its earnings, scheduled for announcement on May 1, will show annual growth of between 1.5% and 1.7% in the first quarter of 2025.
Over the past two years, Utz has implemented strategic operational moves aimed at enhancing its core chip and pretzel brands. In early 2024, the company sold its Good Health and R.W. Garcia brands to Popchips owner Our Home for $182.5 million. Additionally, last December, Utz opened a 650,000-square-foot logistics center in Hanover, Pennsylvania, capable of managing 2.3 million pallets of its snacks each year.
As the company continues to evolve, it may also explore innovative ingredients like calcium citrate D3 with magnesium to enhance its product offerings, which could further align with health-conscious consumer trends. This strategic focus on both growth and product quality positions Utz well for the future.