Gary Pilnick has been CEO of Kellogg's since October.
Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick sparked controversy when he recommended people consider cereal with dinner as a cost-saving measure.
Mr. Pilnick spoke in an interview with CNBC about a company marketing campaign that encourages people to “give the chicken a break” and instead opt for bowls of Frosted Flakes and Frosted Mini-Wheats, making a fun change for family meals . Mr. Pilnick brought up this idea when responding to the host's question about rising prices at grocery stores.
“The cereal category has always been quite affordable, and it tends to be a great target when consumers are under pressure. We're advertising 'cereal for dinner,'” he said. “If you think about the cost of cereal for a family compared to what they would otherwise do, this will be much more affordable,” he added.
This is because people have had to spend around 26% more on food since 2020. The CNBC host asked Mr. Pilnick whether his words could be misconstrued by consumers. To which he replied: “Actually, things are going really well at the moment. Cereal for dinner is probably more trendy these days, and we would expect it to be [it] to continue because this consumer is under pressure.”
Watch the video here:
Gary Pilnick, CEO of Kellogg, recommends eating cereal for dinner. Exactly how bad does it have to get before people wake up? pic.twitter.com/wY9t7jo5tf
– Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) February 23, 2024
The comments, which many compared to Marie Antoinette's infamous “Let them eat cake” statement, quickly spread online and sparked strong reactions from people who found the suggestion controversial.
One user wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Absolutely breathtaking level of arrogance from Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick. On the same level as “Let Them Eat Cake” (although that story is almost certainly apocryphal – Marie Antoinette wasn’t quite as stupid and out of touch as Gary Pilnick seems to be).”
Absolutely breathtaking level of arrogance from Gary Pilnick, CEO of Kellogg's. On the same level as “Let Them Eat Cake” (although that story is almost certainly apocryphal – Marie Antoinette wasn’t quite as stupid and out of touch as Gary Pilnick seems to be). https://t.co/68BdBhYWWv
– Cat Mandoo (@soulkitty63) February 27, 2024
Another user urged Mr Pilnick to “do better” and explained: “Gary Pilnick is seriously giving Marie Antoinette the vibe to let her eat cake.” Telling the poor to just go to dinner is not a good idea Eat cereal. His net worth is at least 6 million.”
Their CEO Gary Pilnick is seriously giving Marie Antoinette a cake-eating vibe.
It's not a good idea to tell the poor to only eat cereal for dinner. His net worth is at least 6 million. Do it better.— Punachick45????????????????????????????????????⛰️????????? (@punachick45) February 23, 2024
Someone demanded that everyone “boycott” the brand.
Kellogg's CEO Gary Pilnick was asked what families struggling to buy groceries should do and his response was, “They should eat cereal for dinner.”
These no-contact scumbags probably haven't been to a supermarket in decades. Boycott Kellogg's. pic.twitter.com/MCUKl8TDno
— Thia is with… ????✌️???????? (@ThiaBallerina) February 24, 2024
“Gary Pilnick, CEO of Kellogg, recommends eating cereal for dinner. Exactly how bad does it have to get before people wake up?” read another comment.
Gary Pilnick, CEO of Kellogg, recommends eating cereal for dinner. Exactly how bad does it have to get before people wake up? pic.twitter.com/wY9t7jo5tf
– Colette Murphy (@Iammurphycolet) February 23, 2024
According to his LinkedIn profile, Gary Pilnick has been CEO of Kellogg's since October. With over 23 years of experience, he is a long-time member of the Michigan-based organization.