K irk Tanner, who brought spicy Takis toppings and SpongeBob SquarePants to Wendy’s as its chief executive, is departing the burger chain to take the top role at Hershey. Tanner will succeed Michele Buck as president and CEO of the Hershey, Pa., chocolate company, effective Aug. 18.

Restaurants operator The Wendy's Company (NASDAQ:WEN) announced on Tuesday the departure of President and CEO Kirk Tanner and the appointment of CFO Ken Cook to the interim CEO role. Tanner, whose departure is effective July 18,

The Hershey Company on Tuesday said that it has hired Kirk Tanner as its new CEO to replace the retiring Michele Buck, with Tanner leaving fast food giant Wendy's, where he was CEO for just over a year,