Yum Brands Inc. announced the promotion of Scott Mezvinsky to the role of KFC Division chief executive officer, effective March 1, 2025. Mezvinsky, a seasoned executive with over 20 years of experience within the company, currently serves as the president of Taco Bell North America and International. In his new role, he will report directly to Yum Brands Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs and will be responsible for driving the brand strategy and performance of KFC on a global scale.

Gibbs praised Mezvinsky as one of Yum! Brands’ most respected leaders, highlighting his extensive experience in various areas such as operations, strategy, finance, and development. Mezvinsky’s successful track record of delivering impactful results was further emphasized by Gibbs, who expressed confidence in his ability to lead KFC’s long-term global growth strategies in partnership with franchisees.

Prior to his current position, Mezvinsky served as Taco Bell’s Global chief strategy and financial officer, where he played a significant role in the company’s journey towards becoming a $20 billion brand. Throughout his tenure at Yum Brands, Mezvinsky held several key roles at KFC and Yum, including general manager of KFC Iberia, where he led the market to achieve record same-store sales growth and operational metrics. He also held leadership positions in the KFC Latin America and Caribbean market, contributing to the brand’s development and operations.

Mezvinsky’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In his statement, Mezvinsky expressed his excitement and honor in leading such an iconic brand as KFC, emphasizing his commitment to working with talented leaders and franchise partners worldwide to accelerate the growth of the brand.

The outgoing KFC Division CEO, Sabir Sami, who has been in the role since January 2022, will be stepping down at the end of February 2025. Sami has held various executive positions within Yum Brands since 2009, including KFC Division chief operating officer and managing director for several key markets. Gibbs commended Sami for his years of service and dedication to Yum Brands and KFC, acknowledging his significant contributions to the brand’s global success.

Sami will continue to serve as KFC Division CEO until the end of February 2025 to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. Yum Brands Inc. expressed gratitude for Sami’s leadership and wished him well in his future endeavors.

The source of this announcement can be found on the official Yum Brands Inc. press release.

Hormel Foods Corp., based in Austin, Minnesota, has announced that its chairman, president, and chief executive officer James Snee will be retiring at the end of 2025. The company has already begun the search for a new CEO to succeed Snee, with a search committee formed by the board of directors. The successor will be chosen through Hormel’s current CEO-succession process, with both internal and external candidates being considered.

Once a successor is named, Snee will transition into a role as a strategic adviser to the board until the end of fiscal 2025 and for an additional 18 months thereafter. He will also remain a candidate for election to the board at Hormel’s 2025 shareholders meeting on January 28. If elected, he will serve as a director until his successor is appointed to take over his executive roles. Snee, who has been with Hormel for 36 years, has been CEO since October 2016 and chairman since October 2017, making him only the 10th president and CEO in the company’s history.

In a statement, Snee expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Hormel Foods over the past eight years, highlighting the accomplishments and innovations made during his tenure. He credited the talented and committed team at Hormel for the company’s success and expressed confidence in the future of the organization as he prepares for retirement.

During Snee’s time as CEO, Hormel expanded its portfolio of protein-focused brands through strategic acquisitions in various segments, including the Planters snack portfolio, the Fontanini branded foodservice business, and the Ceratti brand in South America. He also led the reorganization of Hormel’s operating model to enhance consumer and customer focus and launched the Transform & Modernize growth initiative.

Snee’s career at Hormel began in 1989, and he held various roles within the company before being appointed CEO. He took on leadership positions in company divisions and at the global headquarters, eventually becoming president and chief operating officer in 2015 before assuming the role of CEO in 2016 and chairman in 2017.

Bill Newlands, independent lead director for Hormel’s board, expressed the board’s gratitude for Snee’s dedication and congratulated him on his impactful career. The board looks forward to working with Snee in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition and continue to drive the company’s business imperatives.

With sales in over 80 countries, Hormel reported total sales of $11.92 billion in fiscal 2024 and expects organic net sales growth of 1% to 3% for fiscal 2025. The company’s brand lineup includes popular names such as Hormel, Planters, Skippy, Spam, Natural Choice, Applegate, and Jennie-O, among others.

As Hormel Foods prepares for a leadership transition, the company remains focused on its mission of delivering high-quality food products to consumers worldwide. The search for a new CEO to succeed James Snee marks an important milestone in the company’s history, and Hormel is committed to selecting a qualified and capable leader to guide the organization into the future.

A recent survey has unveiled a notable appreciation for farmers among European Union (EU) citizens, showcasing strong support for the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). According to the latest Eurobarometer survey, public awareness and endorsement of the CAP have reached record levels, with 78% of respondents indicating awareness of the EU’s agricultural policies. This newfound understanding highlights the essential role that EU agricultural policies play in providing safe, healthy, and sustainable food of high quality to its citizens.

The survey indicates that over 70% of respondents believe that the CAP effectively fulfills its mission of ensuring a stable food supply, sustainable management of natural resources, and promoting research and digital solutions in the agriculture and food sectors. Furthermore, citizens recognize the CAP’s contributions to boosting investments, creating jobs, combating climate change, and maintaining reasonable food prices. The support for the CAP extends to reducing regional disparities and encouraging young individuals to pursue careers in the agricultural sector.

The appreciation for farmers is evident in the survey results, with 92% of respondents acknowledging the importance of agriculture and rural areas for the future of the EU. A significant number (56%) believe that the level of EU financial support provided to farmers is appropriate, reflecting a ten-percentage-point increase from previous years. Additionally, nearly nine in ten respondents support the continuation of subsidy payments to farmers for adopting environmentally friendly agricultural practices. The survey also highlights the recognition of agriculture’s role in combating climate change, with 62% of respondents acknowledging its significant contribution in this area.

Respondents expressed key priorities and expectations for the EU’s agricultural policies, emphasizing the importance of securing a stable food supply, ensuring reasonable food prices, sustainable resource management, and strengthening the farmers’ position in the food chain. EU trade agreements are perceived positively by a large majority of Europeans, with 76% believing that these agreements diversify markets and enhance the supply of agricultural products in the EU.

The survey results underscore the growing awareness and support for the EU’s common agricultural policy among EU citizens, highlighting the crucial role that agricultural policies play in ensuring food security, promoting sustainability, and supporting the agricultural sector. The survey reflects a positive sentiment towards farmers and their contributions to the EU’s food supply chain, emphasizing the importance of continued support and investment in the agricultural sector to address key challenges such as climate change and food security.

In conclusion, the survey findings demonstrate a strong appreciation for farmers and the EU’s common agricultural policy among EU citizens, signaling a growing understanding of the importance of sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development. The results also highlight the need for continued support and investment in the agricultural sector to address current and future challenges, emphasizing the role of EU agricultural policies in meeting the needs and expectations of its citizens.

A couple from Kallista, located east of Melbourne, recently appeared in the Wonthaggi Magistrates’ Court where they pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA). Nicole and Frank Pytellek were both fined $2000 each without conviction for their actions.

The charges against the couple stemmed from neglecting to supervise and prevent access to a boggy area on their property in Toora, which resulted in unnecessary pain and suffering to a heifer that was stuck up to its neck in mud. In addition, they were also found guilty of failing to comply with a Notice to Comply (NTC) and aggravated cruelty in relation to a steer with a large eye cancer.

The Magistrate emphasized that it was the responsibility of the Pytelleks to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the animals under their care. The severity of the offences was underscored by the vulnerability of the animals involved.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager, Daniel Bode, highlighted that the Pytelleks were absentee owners and the individuals in charge of a mob of approximately 32 cattle. Following a complaint, Agriculture Victoria officers visited the property in September 2023.

During their inspection, officers found a steer in extremely poor condition with a significant eye cancer that had not been treated despite the issuance of an NTC. Additionally, a heifer was discovered completely bogged in a dam with no preventative measures in place to restrict livestock access to the area. Both animals had to be euthanized to prevent further suffering.

Mr. Bode stressed that apart from the obvious pain and suffering inflicted on the animals, breaches of animal welfare standards could tarnish Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food. This could have detrimental effects on all producers in the region.

To report specific concerns regarding livestock welfare, individuals can contact Agriculture Victoria at 136 186 or via email at aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.

In conclusion, the case of Nicole and Frank Pytellek serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of upholding animal welfare standards and the consequences of failing to do so. It underscores the need for diligence and responsibility in caring for animals and the potential impact of such actions on the reputation of the agricultural industry as a whole.