Current Ownership of Ben and Jerry's
Ben Cohen no longer owns Ben and Jerry's. The ice cream company was acquired by Unilever in 2000, and Cohen sold his remaining stake in the deal. Today, Ben and Jerry's operates as a fully owned subsidiary of Unilever, a multinational consumer goods conglomerate headquartered in London and Rotterdam Unilever Official Website.
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded the company in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont. They built it into a nationally recognized brand before the acquisition. Cohen has not held any ownership or executive role in the company since the Unilever transaction.
Historical Background of Ben Cohen's Involvement
Ben Cohen co-founded Ben and Jerry's with Jerry Greenfield in 1978. The company grew rapidly by focusing on natural ingredients and social activism. Cohen served as co-chairman and remained a prominent public face of the brand for decades.
The founders sold Ben and Jerry's to Unilever in 2000 for approximately $326 million. The deal included all assets, trademarks, and operations. Cohen stayed involved briefly after the sale but gradually stepped away from day-to-day involvement Forbes Business Coverage.
Ben Cohen's Current Business and Philanthropy
After leaving Ben and Jerry's, Ben Cohen shifted his focus to philanthropy and advocacy. He founded the Stamp Stampede campaign to promote campaign finance reform. He also supports various social justice and environmental causes through personal initiatives and donations.
Cohen has no current ownership stake in Ben and Jerry's or any other major ice cream brand. His public profile is now centered on activism rather than business operations. Ben and Jerry's continues to operate under Unilever's global strategy and reporting structure SEC Corporate Filings.