Whole Earth Brands, Inc. announced that Chief Executive Officer Albert Manzone will step down as member of the Whole Earth Brands Board of Directors to pursue other business opportunities, effective January 1, 2023. The Board has appointed Michael Franklin to serve as the Company's Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2023. Mr. Franklin currently serves on the Company's Board of Directors.

After January 1, 2023, Mr. Manzone will assist the Company and Mr. Franklin in the orderly transition through February 28, 2023. In addition to serving on the Whole Earth Brands Board of Directors since August 2022, Mr. Franklin is currently a Partner at Mariposa Capital LLC (“Mariposa”), a Miami-based family investment firm focused on long-term value creation across various industries, including consumer packaged goods. In his role at Mariposa, Mr. Franklin actively supports operational improvements and M&A execution across a portfolio of companies.

Mr. Franklin serves as a board member of Royal Oak Enterprises LLC and Curio Brands Holdings LLC. Prior to joining Mariposa, Mr. Franklin served as a private investor at Viking Global Investors LP. He started his career in investment banking at Centerview Partners LLC.

Mr. Franklin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business.