Who Owns Ben and Jerry's Now
Ben and Jerry's is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company. The acquisition was completed in 2000, when Unilever purchased Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. for approximately $326 million in an all-stock deal. Unilever operates Ben and Jerry's through its Ice Cream division, which is part of the company's Foods & Refreshment segment. The brand remains a separate operating unit within Unilever's portfolio, maintaining its own product development and marketing teams while leveraging Unilever's global distribution network. The original founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, no longer hold ownership stakes in the company following the acquisition. Unilever Ice Cream portfolio details
Unilever is a publicly traded company listed on the Amsterdam and London stock exchanges, with its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam. As of the latest available financial reports, Unilever's total annual revenue exceeds 60 billion euros, with ice cream brands including Ben and Jerry's, Magnum, and Cornetto forming a significant portion of the Refreshment division. The Ben and Jerry's brand generates an estimated several hundred million dollars in annual revenue within Unilever's overall financial statements. Unilever's ownership structure includes a wide range of institutional and retail shareholders, with no single entity holding a controlling majority stake. Unilever company profile on Forbes
Ben and Jerry's Acquisition History and Financial Details
The acquisition of Ben and Jerry's by Unilever was finalized on August 31, 2000. At the time of the deal, Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc. was a leading premium ice cream brand in the United States with annual sales of approximately $200 million. Unilever paid $326 million for the company, which translated to roughly $16.50 per share in a stock-for-stock transaction. The deal was approved by shareholders of both companies and cleared regulatory reviews in the United States and the European Union. The acquisition marked Unilever's entry into the premium ice cream segment in North America. SEC filing for Unilever acquisition
Following the acquisition, Unilever maintained the Ben and Jerry's brand identity, including its Vermont-based creamery operations and signature flavors. The brand's headquarters remained in South Burlington, Vermont, with continued operations as a standalone business unit. Unilever invested in expanding Ben and Jerry's distribution internationally, particularly in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The brand's product line was integrated into Unilever's broader supply chain while preserving its unique sourcing commitments for ingredients such as Fairtrade-certified vanilla and fudge brownies. The acquisition is considered a successful brand buyout that preserved the company's cultural identity while providing global scale. Ben and Jerry's official website
Current Operations and Brand Performance
Ben and Jerry's currently operates in approximately 35 countries worldwide, with products available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and scoop shops. The brand offers over 50 core and limited-edition flavors, with a strong focus on social justice initiatives and sustainable sourcing. Unilever reports Ben and Jerry's sales as part of its Ice Cream category, which competes with other premium brands in the global frozen dessert market. The company maintains a dedicated website and marketing campaigns that highlight the brand's commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical ingredient sourcing.