Lindt & Sprüngli lays off CEO Adalbert Lechner

Lindt & Springli branch in Frankfurt am Main: Improving market opportunities worldwide

After two sales warnings within one year, Lindt & Sprüngli pulls the tear line: The Swiss chocolate manufacturer separates from CEO Adalbert Lechner. The Board of Directors considers new leadership necessary to put the company back on course for growth.

Former CEO Dieter Weisskopf will take over the management on an interim basis, as Lindt & Sprüngli announced in Kilchberg. The 71-year-old was head of finance for many years and had already led the group until 2022. It shall also be a member of the Administrative Board. A permanent successor will be appointed in the second quarter of 2027.

The Board of Directors concluded that Lindt & Sprüngli needed new operational leadership in order to return to steady, strong growth and better exploit the market opportunities worldwide.

The 65-year-old Lechner worked for Lindt & Sprüngli for 33 years and took over the Group management at the beginning of 2022. The company did not provide any further information regarding the circumstances of the separation.

Lindt & Sprüngli has been struggling with sales problems for months. With reference to the sharp increase in cocoa prices, the Group had massively increased its sales prices. In the first half of 2026, the mark-ups averaged 11.8 percent. Subsequently, sales volumes decreased significantly.

Especially in Germany, Switzerland and the UK, consumers were more sensitive to higher prices than expected. For this reason, Lindt began to offer individual products again cheaper in the summer. In addition, the Group relies on smaller packs.

At the end of September, Lindt had to lower its sales forecast for the second time this year. Instead of the originally expected organic growth of 6 to 8 percent, the Group expects only 0 to 2 percent for 2026. In addition to the high prices, the summer heat in Europe also burdened the business. On the stock market, the lowering of the forecast triggered a fall in the price.

Interim head Weisskopf now wants to put the European business back on track for growth. At the same time, investments in the brands are to be increased and profitability improved. In North America and Asia, business is much better.

There is also a change of leadership in Germany. Country head Michal Spiller leaves the company after 23 years. His successor will be the former Austrian head Ali Kulein.