Ben & Jerry's Founders Demand Unilever Spin-Off Amid IPO Dispute

Ben & Jerry’s co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have called for the ice cream brand to be spun off from Unilever’s soon-to-be-independent Magnum Ice Cream Company, citing erosion of the company’s founding social mission and values under Unilever's ownership. They argue that Ben & Jerry’s voice has been muted, particularly around progressive causes and political stances, including criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and U.S. policies. The founders proposed a sale of Ben & Jerry’s at a fair market value between $1.5 billion and $2.5 billion, but Unilever rejected the offer. Cohen emphasized that the brand’s equity is deeply tied to its social mission and founder alignment, which he sees as incompatible with Unilever’s corporate approach. Unilever responded by affirming that Ben & Jerry’s remains a proud part of the Magnum Ice Cream Company and is not for sale, reiterating its commitment to the brand’s product, economic, and social mission. The co-founders urge that Ben & Jerry’s should be allowed to operate independently with socially aligned investors to preserve its progressive identity.