Ben & Jerry’s Founders Feud with Unilever Over Trump, Push for Multibillion-Dollar Buyback of Iconic Ice Cream Brand.
The founders of the iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, are making a bold move to buy back their namesake company from its corporate parent, Unilever, following a dramatic clash over the brand's political stance.
After years of tension with Unilever over social justice issues, the pair is reportedly in early talks to reclaim full control of Ben & Jerry's. The move comes after Unilever allegedly banned the founders from criticizing President Trump and his policies — a step that clashes with the socially conscious mission the brand has championed since its founding in 1978.
A Tense Standoff
Sources told Bloomberg that the duo, who sold the company to Unilever for $326 million in 2000, is now working with socially conscious investors to negotiate a deal that could be worth billions. Ben & Jerry's has continued its activism, particularly with the controversial decision to halt sales in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, despite Unilever’s pressure to back off.
This latest corporate drama also follows a high-profile shake-up at Unilever, which recently ousted CEO Hein Schumacher after less than two years at the helm. Schumacher had pushed for Ben & Jerry’s to be spun off with a stock market listing — a move that has faced considerable shareholder pushback.
Ben & Jerry’s’ Iconic Social Justice Mission at Stake
Since the 2000 sale, the brand has maintained a fiercely independent board that continues to pursue progressive causes, including climate change, racial justice, and LGBTQ+ rights. This has put the ice cream giant at odds with its corporate parent, especially as Unilever has made moves to distance itself from the political and social advocacy that made Ben & Jerry's a household name.
In an ironic twist, as Unilever grapples with declining performance and investor pressure, Ben & Jerry’s founders are eyeing a return to independence — but they’ll need to raise substantial capital to pull it off.
A Corporate Showdown
The battle is now set against the backdrop of Unilever’s broader restructuring and internal struggles. As activist investors like Nelson Peltz push for change, Unilever has faced mounting pressure to improve its performance.
But Ben & Jerry’s is still fiercely committed to its values, and Cohen and Greenfield’s bold move could redefine the future of the beloved brand. Whether they can pull off the multibillion-dollar buyback and reclaim full control is still up in the air — but one thing is clear: This is a fight that could have huge consequences for both the ice cream industry and corporate America.
Stay tuned for updates on this high-stakes showdown.
