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McIlhenny Company, the 158-year-old, family-owned maker of Tabasco Brand products, has named Adam Graves as its new chief executive officer.

Graves officially assumed the CEO role on 26 January, succeeding Harold Osborn, who retired in April 2025 after 25 years with the company, including five as CEO.

Graves joins the Louisiana-based company following a 20-year career at Nestlé, where he led several high-profile food and beverage businesses. Most recently, he served as president of Nestlé’s Pizza & Snacking Division, overseeing brands such as DiGiorno, Tombstone, and Hot Pockets.

Earlier leadership roles included president of Nestlé Waters Canada, general manager of Purina Pet Care Latin America and group business manager within Nestlé’s North American Food & Beverage division.

His track record of driving brand growth, building high-performing teams and managing complex global portfolios aligns with McIlhenny’s ambitions to expand the reach and relevance of the Tabasco brand worldwide.

The appointment comes as the global appetite for spicy foods continues to intensify, particularly among Gen Z consumers seeking adventurous flavour profiles. According to company leadership, these shifting taste preferences present a significant opportunity for continued category expansion.

Christian Brown, executive chairman of McIlhenny Company and a fifth-generation family member, pointed to sustained growth in the hot sauce category as a key driver behind the leadership transition. He emphasised Graves’ experience scaling powerhouse food brands and fostering innovation as critical to navigating the next phase of expansion.

Graves described the role as “the opportunity of a lifetime,” citing the brand’s 158-year heritage, global footprint and strong internal culture.

The company produces its flagship Tabasco Original Red Sauce on Avery Island and distributes products in more than 195 countries and territories.