Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, two names inseparable from the success story of Ben & Jerry’s, are back in national headlines. The childhood friends turned entrepreneurs not only created one of the most recognizable ice cream brands in the United States, but also shaped it into a company known for social activism. Today, however, their partnership has entered a new phase as Jerry Greenfield announced his resignation, citing a loss of independence under Unilever, the multinational that has owned Ben & Jerry’s since 2000.
For fans of the brand, and for those who admired the ideals it represented, this moment raises pressing questions about whether the company can still embody the vision set out by its founders nearly half a century ago.
From Gas Station to Global Icon
The journey of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield has often been told like a modern American fable. In 1978, the two friends invested just $12,000 to open an ice cream parlor in a converted gas station in Burlington, Vermont. Their business plan was simple: make delicious, chunky ice cream in quirky flavors that stood out in a crowded market.
The flavors were an instant hit, but what made the brand revolutionary was the philosophy behind it. Cohen and Greenfield believed that business had a responsibility beyond profit. They built their company around three pillars: a product mission, an economic mission, and a social mission. That third pillar—focused on advancing causes like climate justice, fair trade, and equality—became the foundation of the Ben & Jerry’s identity.
A Mission Tested by Corporate Ownership
In 2000, Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in a deal valued at approximately $326 million. To reassure loyal customers and the founders themselves, the agreement included special provisions: Ben & Jerry’s would retain an independent board tasked with safeguarding its social mission. Cohen and Greenfield supported the deal on the condition that these values would never be compromised.
For years, the arrangement seemed to work. The brand continued to roll out creative campaigns while also expanding internationally under Unilever’s distribution power. But as political and social debates became more polarized, Ben & Jerry’s activism increasingly collided with corporate caution.
Flashpoints Over Social Issues
The conflicts escalated most visibly when Ben & Jerry’s announced in 2021 that it would stop selling its products in Israeli-occupied territories. That decision sparked political backlash and intense pressure on Unilever. Eventually, Unilever reversed parts of the move by selling distribution rights in Israel, a step the founders argued undermined the original decision.
This was not an isolated case. Whether addressing racial justice, climate policies, or foreign conflicts, Ben & Jerry’s often found its voice constrained by its parent company. Jerry Greenfield, in particular, expressed growing frustration that the brand’s once independent platform was being muted in favor of financial and political expediency.
Jerry Greenfield Steps Down
On September 17, 2025, Jerry Greenfield officially resigned from Ben & Jerry’s, ending his formal role with the company after 47 years. In his resignation message, Greenfield said he could no longer remain part of an organization where its founding promises had been stripped away.
He described the original merger agreement as a contract not just with Unilever but with customers, workers, and communities who believed in the brand’s values. “That contract,” he explained, “has been broken.” His decision underscored his belief that the brand’s voice on social issues had been stifled to the point where he could not, in good conscience, continue.
Ben Cohen publicly supported his longtime partner, sharing Greenfield’s statement and echoing his call for independence. Cohen has remained active in pressing for the company to be separated from Unilever’s upcoming spin-off, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), arguing that only true autonomy will allow the brand to thrive as originally intended.
What This Means for Ben & Jerry’s
The resignation of Jerry Greenfield carries significant weight beyond symbolism. It touches on issues central to American business culture today—how mission-driven brands navigate corporate ownership, and whether social activism can coexist with multinational profit strategies.
For customers and stakeholders in the U.S., several key questions emerge:
- Will the brand remain authentic? Without Jerry Greenfield inside the company, some fear Ben & Jerry’s may become just another corporate label.
- What happens with TMICC? As Unilever prepares to spin off its ice cream division, investors are watching closely to see how Ben & Jerry’s fits into the new structure.
- Could independence be restored? Cohen and Greenfield have publicly called for Ben & Jerry’s to be freed from corporate control. Whether Unilever will allow that remains uncertain.
Ben Cohen’s Continuing Fight
Though Jerry Greenfield has resigned, Ben Cohen is not stepping aside quietly. He continues to use his platform to advocate for the values that built the brand, insisting that Unilever honor the original spirit of the 2000 agreement. Cohen’s stance has been clear: social mission cannot be optional. It is the core of the brand’s identity.
For Cohen, the battle is not only about protecting a company but also about proving that business can succeed without compromising values. His determination reflects the passion that first fueled the ice cream parlor in Burlington nearly five decades ago.
The Founders’ Enduring Influence
Even with Jerry Greenfield’s departure, the story of Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield will remain deeply tied to American consumer culture. Their willingness to combine profit with principle set a precedent for countless entrepreneurs and socially conscious businesses.
Their campaigns—whether advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, opposing military conflicts, or promoting environmental sustainability—showed that a brand could leverage its voice for more than advertising. They helped shape a generation of consumers who expect companies to take a stand.
Looking Ahead
The future of Ben & Jerry’s will depend on decisions made in the coming months. If Unilever and TMICC fail to protect the brand’s activist mission, it risks alienating its core base of U.S. customers. At the same time, the founders’ continued advocacy could inspire new efforts to secure independence for the brand.
What remains certain is that the resignation of Jerry Greenfield marks a turning point. The ice cream that started in a Vermont gas station has grown into a global brand—but whether it can stay true to its values will determine how history remembers this chapter.
Final Thoughts
The names Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are forever linked to a vision of business rooted in both joy and justice. Jerry’s resignation has reignited debate about whether that vision can survive in the hands of a multinational corporation. For fans, activists, and investors alike, the outcome matters not just for the future of ice cream, but for the broader question of how much space remains for conscience in corporate America.
What do you think? Can Ben & Jerry’s stay true to its roots under Unilever, or is independence the only way forward? Share your thoughts below.