Who Founded Ben & Jerry's
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield founded Ben & Jerry's in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. They met in junior high school and later took a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State University before opening their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station. The company grew from a single storefront into a nationally recognized ice cream brand known for chunky mix-ins and unconventional flavors.
Ben Cohen handled production and recipe development, while Jerry Greenfield focused on operations and store management. Their partnership combined hands-on product experimentation with a strong commitment to community engagement. The brand's early identity was shaped by local activism, quirky flavors, and a willingness to address social and environmental issues through business decisions.
Business Growth, Ownership, and Acquisition
Ben & Jerry's expanded rapidly during the 1980s and 1990s, opening scoop shops across the United States and building a loyal customer base. The company emphasized fair trade ingredients, environmentally sustainable packaging, and support for progressive causes, which differentiated it from larger competitors in the frozen dessert market.
In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by multinational conglomerate Unilever for about $326 million per the company's public disclosures and financial reporting. The acquisition allowed the brand to scale distribution while maintaining its social mission under Unilever's corporate structure. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield remained involved in the brand's public image and continued to advocate for social and environmental initiatives through the company's operations.
Social Mission and Modern Brand Identity
Ben & Jerry's integrates social activism into its business model by supporting climate justice, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and fair trade sourcing. The company publishes annual social and environmental impact reports and partners with nonprofit organizations to advance causes related to economic justice and sustainability.
Under Unilever ownership, the brand continues to release limited-edition flavors tied to social campaigns and community fundraising efforts. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield's founding philosophy remains visible in product naming, marketing, and public statements that link ice cream sales to broader civic engagement and corporate responsibility goals.