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Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Calls for Company to Be Sold Amid Activism Dispute
As Ben & Jerry’s celebrated its annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, co-founder Ben Cohen used the occasion to push for a different kind of freedom – independence from its corporate owner, The Magnum Ice Cream Co.
Standing on the corner where his first ice cream shop opened in 1978, Cohen called for Magnum to sell the iconic brand to socially-conscious investors, claiming the parent company is restricting Ben & Jerry’s longstanding tradition of social activism.
“Magnum prevented Ben & Jerry’s from putting out a post supporting Black History Month,” Cohen said during the event. “They wanted to come out with a post calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Magnum prevented that. We wanted to support the student protesters. Magnum wouldn’t allow that.”
Cohen argued these restrictions are damaging the brand’s core identity and value. “The longer this goes on, the more they’re destroying the brand equity,” he added.
This public stance comes after fellow co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned from the company in September 2025, describing it as a “painful” decision after nearly five decades with the brand. In his resignation letter, Greenfield lamented the loss of the company’s independence. While Cohen remains a paid employee, he claims he now has “no authority or responsibilities.”
Cohen estimates Ben & Jerry’s current value between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. Though he declined to name potential buyers, he indicated that interested investors are eager to engage with Amsterdam-based Magnum.
However, Magnum quickly dismissed the possibility of a sale. “Ben & Jerry’s is a proud and thriving part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company,” the company stated. “We remain fully committed to the Ben & Jerry’s model and its three-part mission — product, economic and social.”
Corporate Ownership History
Ben & Jerry’s path to its current ownership structure began in 2000 when London-based consumer goods giant Unilever acquired the Vermont ice cream maker for $326 million (equivalent to $625 million today). At the time, Cohen and Greenfield presented the acquisition as an opportunity to expand their social mission globally.
A key component of the deal was Unilever’s agreement that Ben & Jerry’s would maintain an independent board with the freedom to pursue its progressive social agenda, which has historically included advocacy for racial justice, campaign finance reform, and fair trade practices.
The relationship showed signs of strain in 2021 when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and contested East Jerusalem. The decision drew condemnation from Israeli officials, and Unilever publicly distanced itself from the move.
Tensions escalated the following year when Unilever sold its Israeli Ben & Jerry’s business to a local company that intended to distribute the ice cream throughout Israel and the West Bank – effectively circumventing the original decision.
By 2024, the relationship had deteriorated further, with Ben & Jerry’s filing a lawsuit against Unilever. The suit accused the parent company of silencing the ice cream maker’s statements supporting Palestinians during the Gaza war. Ben & Jerry’s also alleged that Unilever blocked social media posts critical of then-President Donald Trump and threatened to dismantle the brand’s independent board.
Transition to Magnum
The final corporate restructuring came in March 2024, when Unilever announced plans to spin off its entire ice cream business, including Ben & Jerry’s. The move aligned with Unilever’s strategic shift toward health and wellness products and away from food brands.
By July 2025, the spinoff was complete, with The Magnum Ice Cream Co. emerging as one of the world’s largest ice cream companies. In addition to its namesake Magnum brand and Ben & Jerry’s, the company’s portfolio includes other well-known brands like Breyers and Cornetto.
Cohen’s Free Cone Day protest marks the latest chapter in his years-long campaign to restore Ben & Jerry’s independence – a struggle that highlights the ongoing tension between corporate ownership and mission-driven companies with strong activist identities.
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7 Comments
Ben & Jerry’s has always been about more than just ice cream – their social activism and progressive values are a big part of what makes the brand special. Losing that would be a real shame.
This situation really underscores the importance of maintaining a brand’s authenticity and social purpose, even in the face of corporate ownership changes. Ben & Jerry’s has always been about more than just ice cream.
Fascinating to see the co-founder taking such a public stance. This really highlights the tensions that can arise when a socially-conscious brand gets acquired by a larger corporation with different priorities.
It’s a tricky situation when a socially-conscious brand gets acquired by a larger corporation. Sounds like Magnum has been restricting B&J’s ability to speak out on important issues, which goes against the brand’s DNA.
I can understand Cohen’s perspective – the Ben & Jerry’s brand was built on a strong social mission, and that seems to be getting diluted under the current ownership. It will be intriguing to see how this plays out.
It’s admirable that the co-founder is so passionate about preserving Ben & Jerry’s identity and values. Hopefully they can find a way to keep that spirit alive, even under corporate ownership.
Interesting to see the co-founder Ben Cohen pushing for Ben & Jerry’s to regain its independence and social activism. Maintaining brand identity and values is clearly important, even under corporate ownership.