(Reuters) -Hershey on Tuesday named burger chain Wendy's chief Kirk Tanner as its CEO, effective August 18, replacing Michele Buck.    The chocolate maker had announced the departure of Buck, who has been at the helm for more than seven years, earlier in January.

Tanner will depart Wendy's on July 18, the burger chain said in a separate statement, adding that it has appointed its CFO, Ken Cook, as its interim chief.

Wendy's has also launched a comprehensive search process to select a permanent CEO.