William Murrie - President of Hershey's for 50 Years!

Deeply Driven: Business History Insights from Entrepreneurs

Welcome to this special bonus episode of Deeply Driven, today we profile that of William Murrie, the longtime president of Hershey’s.

Before Hershey’s became a household name and one of America’s most iconic chocolate companies, it needed someone who could turn Milton Hershey’s visionary ideas into reality. That man was William Murrie.

A former telegraph operator, semi-pro baseball player, and traveling candy salesman, Murrie first crossed paths with Milton Hershey in a Lancaster billiards hall. With charm and confidence, he famously boasted he could sell more chocolate than Hershey could manufacture. Hershey called his bluff—and within a year, Murrie had done exactly that. Impressed, Hershey brought him off the road and made him general manager. Murrie would remain at the helm for over five decades, eventually becoming president of the company and transforming it into a modern, diversified, nationwide powerhouse.

In this episode, we explore how Murrie quietly yet powerfully shaped the Hershey empire. He was the implementer to Hershey’s inventor, the operator behind the dream. Under his watch, annual sales exploded from $600,000 to over $120 million. He introduced legendary products like Mr. Goodbar, Hershey’s Kisses, and chocolate syrup. He built out the company’s first national distribution channels and oversaw crucial wartime efforts—including convincing Congress not to shut down the candy industry during WWII.

Murrie was known for frugality, discipline, and a keen eye for product development. But perhaps his greatest strength was his ability to expand without compromising the company’s values. He forged critical partnerships—including supplying bulk chocolate to Frank Mars in the early days—and anticipated consumer trends decades before the market caught up.

His leadership style was grounded in fiscal discipline and people management. He expected punctuality and accountability but inspired deep loyalty. When the company was at risk of collapsing during the Great Depression and the war years, it was Murrie’s tight grip on costs and his long-term thinking that carried Hershey through.

This is a story of humility, grit, and operational brilliance. While Milton Hershey may be the face on the brand, it was William Murrie who ensured that vision had a foundation strong enough to last generations.

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