Hormel Foods Corporation has appointed Paul Kuehneman as interim chief financial officer and controller, effective October 27, 2025, following the departure of Jacinth Smiley. He reports to Jeff Ettinger, interim chief executive officer.
Kuehneman has more than three decades of experience at Hormel Foods, including leadership roles as vice president and controller, CFO of Jennie-O Turkey Store, and director of internal audit. His appointment supports continuity in Hormel’s financial and operational management.
The company confirmed it will begin a search for a permanent CFO, considering both internal and external candidates.
Leadership Continuity
Ettinger said Kuehneman’s broad experience and understanding of Hormel’s business will help the company maintain financial discipline while continuing its growth strategy. His leadership comes at a time when Hormel is balancing category demand with cost pressures across several operating segments.
Hormel’s portfolio includes well-known food brands such as PLANTERS®, SKIPPY®, SPAM®, Jennie-O®, and Applegate®, distributed across retail and foodservice channels worldwide.
Fourth Quarter Update
Hormel reported that net sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 are expected to be near the upper end of its earlier guidance, supported by sustained demand in its retail, foodservice, and international divisions.
The company highlighted continued strength in its turkey business and PLANTERS® snack nut brand, along with stable performance across core protein categories.
At the same time, Hormel noted ongoing inflationary pressures in raw materials and packaging, along with the impact of avian influenza and poultry industry illnesses, which added to operational costs during the quarter.
The company said it remains focused on productivity initiatives and pricing strategies to manage these pressures and protect margins.
Operations And Safety
Late in the quarter, Hormel experienced a fire at its Little Rock, Arkansas peanut butter facility. The company confirmed there were no injuries, and repairs are underway. Full production is expected to resume early in fiscal 2026.
Hormel also issued a voluntary Class I recall involving certain chicken products sold to foodservice customers, following standard safety procedures.
Despite these temporary challenges, Hormel expects sales growth and solid top-line momentum. It anticipates adjusted earnings per share to be about $0.08–$0.09 lower than prior guidance due to inflation and operational disruptions.
The company also plans to record non-cash impairment charges, mainly related to its international business and snack nuts segment.
Outlook
Hormel said its diversified and protein-driven portfolio remains relevant across key markets. The company continues to prioritize operational stability, supply reliability, and cost control.
Ettinger said Hormel remains confident in its long-term growth strategy and brand performance.
“We believe we are well-positioned to manage short-term challenges while continuing to deliver sustainable growth,” he said.
Hormel Foods will release its full fourth-quarter and fiscal 2025 results, along with its 2026 outlook, in early December.
