Kraft Heinz Company (KHC) reported progress in its turnaround efforts during the Barclays 19th Annual Global Consumer Conference on September 9, 2026. The company's Chief Executive Officer, Steve Cahillane, and Chief Financial Officer, Andre Maciel, presented updates on the company's reinvestment plans, financial health, and brand performance.
Kraft Heinz has expanded its reinvestment plan to $700 million, up from an initial commitment of $600 million. The company has also paid down $2.9 billion of debt, including $1 billion of maturing debt, and expects to save $250 million in interest expense over 10 years through refinancing. The company's dividend yield stands at 6.43%, and its free cash flow yield is 13%. As of the latest quarter, 35% of Kraft Heinz's business was holding or gaining share, up from 21% at the end of 2023.
Cahillane noted that 90% of the company's portfolio shows better trends than in 2023. He also highlighted the performance of the Heinz brand, which swung from a minus 3% consumption rate in North America last year to a plus 3% this year. The company's away-from-home growth returned to 3% globally, with U.S. performance slightly stronger. Emerging markets are growing at high single digits, projected to reach high single-digit to low double-digit rates over time. Heinz accounts for about 50% of the international emerging markets business.
Kraft Heinz's global awareness is 96%, with a household penetration of 20%, compared to Coca-Cola's 50% penetration and 94% global awareness. The Heinz Zero brand in Brazil is delivering an 80% incrementality, and Kraft PowerMac & Cheese has reached 100% distribution at pitched accounts, containing 17 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. The company's NFL partnership led to a 150% increase in displays versus a year earlier.
Cahillane emphasized the importance of driving relevance for the next generation of consumers. He stated that while nostalgia might help sell a T-shirt, it won't get consumers into the pantry and the type of experience they're trying to drive. The company's productivity metrics are running above 3.5% of cost of goods sold (COGS) annually for five straight years, and above 4% in the last three years, with a target to raise it to 4.5%.
Kraft Heinz aims to remove all FD&C artificial colors by the end of 2027. The company's Deli Fresh new packaging was shipped at the beginning of August. The November investor day will discuss 2027 plans in more detail. The company's market capitalization is $29.4 billion, with the stock trading at $24.78 to $24.73. The company's financial health score is 2.32 on InvestingPro, and it expects 4% to 5% inflation in 2026.
