US protein drinks and bars business BellRing Brands has hired Snak King CEO Michael Axelrod as its next president and chief executive.
Axelrod, who will take the helm on 29 July, will also join the Premier Protein and Dymatize brand owner’s board of directors.
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He will succeed Darcy Davenport, whose departure was announced in February.
Davenport will remain involved in a senior advisory role to “support a seamless leadership transition and provide strategic support”, BellRing said in a statement.
BellRing described Axelrod as an “accomplished executive”, who brings more than three decades of experience in the consumer-packaged goods sector, including chief executive roles at several consumer businesses.
Robert Vitale, BellRing’s chairman, said: “We conducted an extensive search and determined that Mike is uniquely qualified to lead BellRing. His record of strategic insight, strong customer relationships and operational excellence will be invaluable as we embark on the next chapter of growth.”
Axelrod is joining from US salty snacks manufacturer Snak King, where he has been chief executive since October 2025.
Before that, he led Del Real Foods, the US-based Hispanic foods business, since 2019.
He began his career at Boston Consulting Group and has held executive roles at US manufacturers Passport Food Group and TreeHouse Foods.
In his early career, Axelrod was also an executive at what was once Kraft Foods and McCain Foods.
Axelrod said: “Consumer demand for protein remains exceptionally strong. With the number-one ready-to-drink protein brand, deep category expertise and strong retailer relationships, BellRing is well positioned to drive long-term growth through customer focus, innovation and operational rigor.”
The appointment follows a difficult set of quarterly results and a cut to BellRing’s full-year outlook.
In May, the company reported fiscal second-quarter net sales of $598.7m, up 1.8% year-on-year. However, operating profit for the three months to the end of March fell 30.6% to $66m and net earnings dropped 42.2% to $33.9m.
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter more than halved to $53.8m.
BellRing now expects its net sales in its 2026 financial year to reach $2.33bn to $2.37bn, compared with its previous forecast of $2.41bn to $2.46bn due to cautious consumer spending, increased promotional activity and cost inflation.
In BellRing’s 2025 fiscal year, its net sales were $2.32bn.
The company is also forecasting its full-year adjusted EBITDA will range from $315m to $335m, versus its February guidance of $425m to $440m.
In the 2025 financial year, BellRing’s adjusted EBITDA stood at $481.6m.
