LesserEvil
LesserEvil is an American snack company located in Danbury, Connecticut founded in 2004. It makes a variety of packaged snack products including prepopped popcorn and extruded snacks. The firm promotes its products as a healthy alternative; in 2023 it was sued by a consumer for misrepresentation. It was acquired by The Hershey Company in 2025.
 | |
Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Michael A. Sands |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Area served | North America |
Key people | Charles Coristine, CEO |
| Products | Snack foods, organic foods |
| Revenue | approaching $100M in 2023[1] |
| Owner | The Hershey Company |
Number of employees | 250[1] |
| Website | www.lesserevil.com |
LesserEvil is an American snack company located in Danbury, Connecticut founded in 2004.
It makes a variety of packaged snack products including prepopped popcorn and extruded snacks. The firm promotes its products as a healthy alternative; in 2023 it was sued by a consumer for misrepresentation. It was acquired by The Hershey Company in 2025.
History
[edit]
LesserEvil was founded in 2004 by Michael A. Sands,[2] Gene Hackman, and Jim Cramer in Tuckahoe, New York.[3]
Their initial product offering was a kettlecorn[3] and expanded into multiple varieties.[4] In 2006 they introduced a second line, Krinkle Sticks,[5] and later lines of extruded curls and puffs intended to compete in the cheese puff category.[6][7][8][1]
In 2011 Charles Coristine, a former bond trader,[9] acquired LesserEvil[1] and opened its Danbury factory the following year.[10] At this point, the company's headquarters was still located in Wilton, Connecticut, but operations moved to Commerce Park in Danbury by 2013.[11] The factory is certified organic.[12]
LesserEvil underwent a rebrand in 2019, which emphasized "mindful" snacking, reiterated by the guru mascots featured on the packaging.[13]
In April 2022, the company acquired energy bar maker R.E.D.D. Bar.[14][1] The following year, LesserEvil sold a “significant minority” stake of the business to Aria Growth Partners, with the intention to further develop manufacturing and retail distribution.[15]
According to the Hartford Business Journal, the company was expected to have close to $100M in revenues in 2023 and was one of the largest producers of organic snacks in the US.[1]
In April 2025, Hershey signed an agreement to acquire LesserEvil.[16] This transaction was completed in November.[17]
Ingredients
[edit]Carla Lalli Music, writing for Bon Appetit, dietician Wan Na Chun, speaking with Eat This, Not That, and dietician Mascha Davis speaking with Prevention noted the short list of ingredients for multiple popcorn products as a positive.[18][19][20]
Recognition
[edit]In 2022 Prevention named their Sun Popper Sour Cream and Onion product as their Best Protein Puff[21] and Good Housekeeping named them their Best Vegan Puffs.[22] In 2023, Self name the company's organic popcorn the best bagged popcorn.[23] In 2024, the company's Homer’s Blend Organic Popcorn won the best popcorn award in Good Housekeeping’s Best Snack Awards.[24]
Controversies
[edit]In 2023, LesserEvil was sued for misrepresenting its snacks as "healthier" than others.[25]
In 2025, Edward Coristine, the son of LesserEvil CEO Charles Coristine (and grandson of executed KGB officer Valery Martynov),[26] began working with Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).[27] LesserEvil has distanced themselves from Edward Coristine following controversy over his activities at DOGE and in the private sector.[28]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Larson, Andrew (June 26, 2023). "Nearing $100M in annual revenues, CT's LesserEvil expands organic snack foods line, readies new in-state manufacturing plant". Hartford Business Journal. New England Business Media. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Moran Alterio, Julie (August 13, 2008). "Snack company markets to presidential race". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Lee, Richard (March 8, 2012). "Judges like what they savor in LesserEvil". The Stamford Advocate. Hearst. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Briskin, Lizzy. "I'm a chef. I tried 3 popular types of bagged popcorn to see which is the best". Business Insider. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ "The LesserEvil History". LesserEvil.com. LesserEvil Brand Snack Co. 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-08-12. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Matthews, Melissa (2019-09-04). "These Egg White Curls Are Basically Paleo Cheetos". Men's Health. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Bricker, Tierney (2021-03-22). "15 Healthy and Satisfying Snacks for Spring". E! Online. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Watrous, Monica (29 August 2021). "New sustainable snacks debut from LesserEvil Healthy Brands | 2021-09-29 | Baking Business". Baking Business. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Dube, Rob (September 2, 2019). "Searching for a Smarter Snack: How This Mindful Leader Created A LesserEvil". Forbes. Advantage Media. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Alissa (May 30, 2013). "LesserEvil Snacks Opens A New Factory In Danbury". Daily Voice. Cantata Media LLC. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ David W. St. Hilaire (2013). "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for The Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2013". City of Danbury Department of Finance. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Jones, Marcy (2023-03-15). "'Lesser Evil' taking over the world with healthy snacks". WFSB. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Cabrey, Erin (July 13, 2020). "LesserEvil Moves Into New Categories, Expands Distribution". Nosh. NevNET. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Nunes, Keith (April 13, 2022). "LesserEvil enters bar category with acquisition of R.E.D.D. Bar". Food Business News. Sosland Publishing. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
- ^ Harvey, Simon (2023-09-21). "LesserEvil snack maker gets capital injection from Aria Growth Partners". Just Food. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Sousa, Rafaela. "Hershey to acquire organic snack maker LesserEvil". www.foodbev.com. FoodBev Media. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Hershey Completes Acquisition of LesserEvil, Expanding Consumer Choice". MarketScreener. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Music, Carla Lalli (2020-04-28). "I Love Everything About This Popcorn (Except the Name)". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Kunik, Kelsey (2024-01-16). "10 Best & Worst Bagged Popcorns, According to Dietitians". Eat This Not That. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Taylor, Marygrace; Haase, Madeleine (2023-10-06). "These Healthy Snacks Ideas Are Nutritious and Taste Great". Prevention. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Weg, Arielle (2022-04-08). "The 40+ Newest Healthy Packaged Foods Our Test Kitchen Editors Love". Prevention. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Sasson, Stephanie (2022-06-28). "The 2022 Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Awards". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Madaus, Sarah (2023-02-24). "The Best Chips, Crackers, Bars, Pretzels, and Popcorn for When You're Feeling Snacky". Self. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Sassos, Stephanie; Yung, Alyssa (2024-04-02). "Our Biggest and Best Snack Awards Are Here". Good Housekeeping. Retrieved 2024-04-03.
- ^ Steinberg, Julie (March 2, 2023). "LesserEvil Sued for 'Healthier' Claim on Allegedly Fatty Snacks". Bloomberg Law. Bloomberg Industry Group Inc. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ "Elon Musk's protege 'Big Balls' is grandson of executed KGB agent, report says". The Independent. 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-02-25.
- ^ MacDiarmid, Zoe (2025-02-04). "Northeastern student identified as engineer for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency". The Huntington News. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ Feiner, Lauren. "Popcorn brand distances itself from DOGE employee 'Big Balls' after backlash". theverge.com. The Verge. Retrieved 19 February 2025.