Ben & Jerry’s cofounder resigns over clash with Unilever

USA – Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his resignation from the ice cream brand after nearly five decades, amid a deepening rift with owner Unilever.

In a letter posted on co-founder Ben Cohen’s X account, Greenfield said Unilever has abandoned its promise to give Ben & Jerry’s independence to speak out on progressive social issues and instead chosen to have the brand silenced [and] sidelined for fear of upsetting those in power. 

“It’s with a broken heart that I’ve decided I can no longer, in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s,” Greenfield said. “This is one of the hardest and most painful decisions I have ever made.”

According to Greenfield, for the first 20-plus years, Ben & Jerry’s was free to speak out on social issues important to the brand and its owners, a key part of the deal the co-founders negotiated when they sold the brand, Greenfield said.

However, over the last four years, Ben & Jerry’s has claimed that its autonomy has eroded. The brand previously said Unilever demanded it stop publicly criticizing President Donald Trump.

Unilever tried to block it from making public statements advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza. The companies also disagreed earlier this year over whether Unilever fired Ben & Jerry’s CEO for his support of the brand’s social mission.

This news comes after Ben & Jerry’s founders, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield explored the possibility of repurchasing the ice cream brand from Unilever, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the discussions.

The report indicated that Cohen and Greenfield have held preliminary talks in recent months and may seek support from socially conscious investors to facilitate the potential transaction.

Given Ben & Jerry’s significant valuation, which could reach billions, substantial financial backing would be necessary.

However, it remains uncertain whether a deal will materialize. Cohen and Greenfield originally sold Ben & Jerry’s to Unilever in 2000 for US$326 million.

The brand has since continued to operate under Unilever’s ownership while maintaining a level of independence in its social and environmental advocacy.

A Unilever spokesperson said that the ice cream business is not on the market, stating: “As confirmed during our 2024 FY results announcement, we are on track to separate the ice cream business by way of a demerger.”

The spokesperson further emphasized that Ben & Jerry’s is an important part of the ice cream business, and it’s not for sale.

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