Lindt ousts CEO after poor European results, two outlook cuts
The chocolate maker says it needs new operational leadership to restore growth
Lindt & Sprüngli, the Swiss chocolate company, has announced that CEO Adalbert Lechner will step down following a series of poor European results and outlook cuts. Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf will take on the role of interim CEO immediately. The board of directors stated that new operational leadership is necessary to restore consistent, strong growth and to seize opportunities in global markets.
Lindt's shares have dropped by a quarter this year due to rising cocoa costs and weaker chocolate consumption in Europe. The company has cut its 2026 sales forecast for the second time this year. In response to weaker customer sentiment in its German-speaking markets, Lindt is also reassigning leadership in its Austrian and German businesses.
The Austrian branch's CEO, Ali Kulein, will become head of the German arm, while Fabian Reinhardt will lead the Austrian business. The board's decision has drawn criticism from Vontobel analysts, who believe the board should have intervened earlier. Lechner had been CEO since October 2022, and Lindt aims to appoint a new permanent CEO in the second quarter of 2027. The leadership change will not affect Lindt's full-year guidance.
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