Lyla Lindsey
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., commonly known as Ben & Jerry's, is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and sorbet. Founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, the company has become a multinational brand with a reputation for its unique and creative approach to business. While Ben & Jerry's has a presence in Australia, it is not clear if their ice cream products are manufactured in the country. The company has, however, used its platform in Australia to advocate for various social causes, such as marriage equality and asylum seeker rights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Manufactured in Australia | No |
| Company headquarters | South Burlington, Vermont |
| Factory location | Waterbury, Vermont |
| Year founded | 1978 |
| Founders | Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield |
| Company ownership | Unilever |
| Product type | Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet |
| Product features | Original flavors, values-sourced ingredients, activism-themed campaigns |
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What You'll Learn
Ben & Jerry's is an American company
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., commonly known as Ben & Jerry's, is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and sorbet. The company was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two school friends who shared a dislike for gym class. With a $5 correspondence course in ice cream-making from Penn State under their belts, they opened their first ice cream scoop shop in a renovated gas station. Since its founding, Ben & Jerry's has become known not only for its ice cream but also for its commitment to social and environmental causes. For example, in 2001, the company transitioned to "Eco-Pint" packaging, using environmentally friendly, unbleached paperboard containers for its pint flavours. However, due to supply, quality, and cost challenges, Ben & Jerry's discontinued the use of Eco-Pint in 2006, reverting to bleached paperboard containers.
Ben & Jerry's has also taken a stand on social issues, such as when they announced in May 2017 that they would not serve two scoops of the same ice cream flavour in Australia to protest the Australian government's refusal to legalise same-sex marriage. This action sparked controversy and highlighted the company's willingness to use its platform to advocate for social change.
Despite facing criticism and challenges, Ben & Jerry's has stayed true to its roots and values. The company strives to strike a balance between joy and justice, aiming to make the world a better place through its business practices while also creating delicious ice cream. This unique approach has helped transform Ben & Jerry's from a small-town ice cream parlour to a beloved multinational brand.
Ben & Jerry's has left an indelible mark on the ice cream industry and popular culture, with its unique flavours and commitment to social and environmental causes. The company's American origins and values-driven approach have contributed to its global success, attracting a loyal customer base that appreciates not just the taste of Ben & Jerry's ice cream but also the values it stands for.
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It was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont
Ben & Jerry's is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and sorbet. It was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by childhood friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The company has since expanded from a single ice cream parlour to a multinational brand, with its headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont, and a factory in Waterbury, Vermont.
The unique selling point of Ben & Jerry's has always been its commitment to creating the best possible ice cream with generous portions of chunky, swirly ingredients, while also using the business to make the world a better place. The company has built a reputation as a fun-loving and creative brand, with iconic flavours such as Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Phish Food, and Half Baked. Ben & Jerry's continues to pioneer new flavours and innovative packaging, such as their transition to "Eco-Pint" packaging in 2001, which was made from environmentally friendly unbleached paperboard.
Ben & Jerry's has also been noted for its political activism and commitment to social justice. For example, in May 2017, the company announced that it would not serve two scoops of the same ice cream flavour in Australia to protest the Australian government's refusal to legalise same-sex marriage. The company has also supported asylum seekers' rights and launched a limited-edition ice cream flavour called "Pecan Resist" to oppose the presidential administration of Donald Trump.
In addition to its activism, Ben & Jerry's has been a pioneer in the ice cream industry, being the first to introduce Fairtrade vanilla ice cream in 2015 and committing to using fully traceable cocoa beans in 2022. The company's recipe for success has always been a combination of values-sourced ingredients, including fresh Vermont milk and cream, along with a focus on building awareness and support for the causes they believe in. Ben & Jerry's was acquired by the British conglomerate Unilever in 2000 but continues to operate as an independent subsidiary, staying true to its roots and original mission.
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The company was sold to Unilever in 2000
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., commonly known as Ben & Jerry's, is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. The company was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by school friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was sold to the British multinational conglomerate Unilever for $326 million ($607 million in 2025 accounting for inflation). Despite the acquisition, Ben & Jerry's operates as an independent subsidiary, with its headquarters in South Burlington, Vermont, and its factory in Waterbury, Vermont.
The sale of Ben & Jerry's to Unilever in 2000 was the result of a four-month process with some twists and turns. The quirky ice cream company, known for its social consciousness and activism, agreed to be acquired by Unilever, a global giant that owned other ice cream brands such as Breyer's and Good Humor. The deal was valued at approximately $326 million in cash, or $43.60 per share.
Following the acquisition, Ben & Jerry's maintained its independence and social mission. Unilever agreed to carry on the company's tradition of engaging in critical global economic and social missions. The acquisition agreement stipulated that Unilever would not reduce jobs or alter the way the ice cream was made. Additionally, Unilever committed to contributing a percentage of Ben & Jerry's profits to a foundation and creating funds to support minority-owned businesses and employees.
The founders of Ben & Jerry's, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, remained involved with the company after the sale to Unilever in 2000. Cohen retained a position on the governing board of directors, and both founders worked to ensure that the company's social and environmental values were upheld. In 2017, Ben & Jerry's made headlines in Australia by refusing to serve two scoops of the same ice cream flavor to encourage marriage equality and support for the legalization of same-sex marriage. This demonstrated the company's continued commitment to social justice issues even under the ownership of Unilever.
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Ben & Jerry's is known for its activism and political messaging
Ben & Jerry's is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and sorbet. The company was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two school friends who wanted to strike a balance between joy and justice. They aimed to make the world's most delicious ice cream while using their business to make the world a better place.
The company has also taken a stand on environmental issues, introducing environmentally friendly "Eco-Pint" packaging in 2001, made from brown-kraft unbleached paperboard. Ben & Jerry's has also committed to sourcing Fairtrade ingredients, becoming the first ice cream company to introduce Fairtrade vanilla ice cream in 2015. In 2022, they furthered this commitment by joining Tony's Open Chain, ensuring the cocoa beans used in their chocolate ice cream are fully traceable to provide more justice for cocoa farmers.
Ben & Jerry's also issued a strong corporate statement following the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests, with the headline "We Must Dismantle White Supremacy." The company's activism and political messaging are guided by their core values, which include supporting social and economic justice for historically marginalized communities and protecting the Earth's natural systems. They operate their business on a linked prosperity model, aiming to create prosperity for all stakeholders and supporting grassroots groups and activism causes.
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It has a factory in Waterbury, Vermont
Ben & Jerry's is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yoghurt, and sorbet. It was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by school friends Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The company's headquarters are in South Burlington, Vermont, and its factory is in Waterbury, Vermont.
The company's factory in Waterbury, Vermont, is a key part of its operations. It is where the famous Ben & Jerry's ice cream is produced, using fresh Vermont milk and cream, along with generous portions of chunky, swirly ingredients that the company has become known for. The factory has likely been instrumental in the company's growth from a single ice cream parlor to a multinational brand.
Ben & Jerry's has always aimed to make the best possible ice cream in the nicest possible way. This is reflected in their commitment to using values-sourced ingredients and their focus on activism and social justice. The company has pioneered various initiatives, such as introducing the world's first Fairtrade vanilla ice cream in 2015 and committing to Tony's Open Chain in 2022, ensuring fully traceable cocoa beans for their chocolate ice cream.
The Waterbury factory plays a crucial role in bringing these initiatives to life. It is where the company's values are put into practice, ensuring that the ice cream is made with the finest ingredients while adhering to ethical and environmental standards. The factory's location in Vermont also provides easy access to fresh dairy products, which are a key component of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
The factory in Waterbury, Vermont, is an integral part of Ben & Jerry's operations and success. It is where the magic happens, where ingredients are transformed into delicious ice cream, and where the company's values and commitments are put into action. The factory has likely contributed significantly to the company's reputation and success over the years.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ben & Jerry's ice cream is available in Australia. However, in May 2017, the company announced that they would not serve two scoops of the same ice cream flavor in Australia due to the refusal of the Australian government to legalize same-sex marriage at the time.
Ben & Jerry's is an American company that manufactures ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. The company was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, and its present-day headquarters and factory are located in South Burlington, Vermont, and Waterbury, Vermont, respectively.
Ben & Jerry's is known for its unique and creative approach to business, incorporating social and political activism into its brand. For example, they introduced the world's first Fairtrade vanilla ice cream in 2015 and committed to using fully traceable cocoa beans in 2022. They have also taken stands on issues such as same-sex marriage and asylum seeker rights, and their ice cream flavors have been named after musicians, comedians, and public figures.
