As a multibillion-dollar corporate takeover battle deepens, execs at Kraft and Hershey are fighting to acquire the rights to the cherished chocolate of Cadbury.
We won’t know who wins the war for weeks, but New Yorkers are clear about who they think makes the better chocolate: Hershey.
In an unscientific survey – a midday taste test of various Hershey chocolates, Kraft-made Toblerone and Cadbury Dairy Milk bars – New Yorkers overwhelmingly said the best was Hershey.
“Hershey’s is just right – it’s not too sweet, it doesn’t stick to your teeth. You can eat a whole bag and not get sick of it,” said George Valdez, 26, of Washington Heights.
“These Hershey’s are great – I’m in a better mood now!” said Cylysce Martinez, 36, of Teaneck, N.J.
“Hershey’s – no question!” agreed Jeanette Bocklage, 19, of Howard Beach, Queens.
While the honey and almond nougat-laden Toblerone offered more frills, most tasters still stuck with Hershey.
David Johnson, 22, of Brooklyn, couldn’t get off the chocolate fence.
“I’m evenly split between Hershey and Toblerone – I couldn’t pick a favorite if I had to,” he said.
Cadbury was a distant third, perhaps suggesting that a takeover by Hershey or Kraft may help the British chocolate giant improve its recipes.
Hershey is reportedly working on a bid to top Kraft’s $17.1 billion hostile takeover bid for Cadbury, and has two weeks to come up with a better offer under British takeover law.
Cadbury execs say Kraft’s bid undervalues their company, and Cadbury stock rose on news that a Hershey offer could sweeten the deal for stockholders.
