Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Reflects on Company's History and Mission

Ben Cohen details Ben & Jerry's humble beginnings, iconic flavors, and ongoing fight for independence from owner Unilever

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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In an exclusive interview, Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen, 74, shed light on the ice cream company's origins, its rise to fame, and its ongoing battles with parent company Unilever. Cohen recounted how he and co-founder Jerry Greenfield met in junior high and bonded over their shared love of food, eventually launching the iconic ice cream brand in 1978 with a focus on unique flavor combinations and social activism. Despite Ben & Jerry's tremendous success, Cohen is now leading a campaign to separate the company from Unilever, which acquired it in 2000, in order to preserve its mission-driven values.

Why it matters

Ben & Jerry's has become one of the most beloved and socially conscious brands in the U.S., known for its outspoken stances on political and social issues. However, the company's acquisition by corporate giant Unilever has led to tensions, with co-founder Ben Cohen now leading a campaign to regain the brand's independence and continue its activist legacy.

The details

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield met in seventh grade gym class and bonded over their shared love of food. After unsuccessful attempts at other careers, they decided to open an ice cream shop in 1978, using a $5 course from Penn State to learn how to make ice cream. Ben & Jerry's became known for its chunky, innovative flavors featuring large mix-ins like cookie dough and chocolate-covered potato chips. The brand also gained a reputation for its outspoken political and social activism. In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was acquired by Unilever, leading to ongoing conflicts between the parent company and the ice cream maker's mission-driven values. Cohen is now leading a campaign, without his longtime partner Greenfield, to separate Ben & Jerry's from Unilever in order to preserve the company's activist identity.

  • Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield met in seventh grade gym class.
  • Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978.
  • Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000.

The players

Ben Cohen

The 74-year-old co-founder of Ben & Jerry's who is now leading a campaign to separate the company from its parent company Unilever in order to preserve its mission-driven values.

Jerry Greenfield

The co-founder of Ben & Jerry's who has stepped away from the company's ongoing fight for independence from Unilever due to his aversion to conflict.

Unilever

The multinational consumer goods company that acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000 and has since been at odds with the ice cream maker's activist identity.

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What they’re saying

“We were both talking about how Ben & Jerry's as we know it is essentially going to die if it remains under the ownership of the Magnum Ice Cream Company [a spin-off from Unilever's ice cream division that includes Magnum, Ben & Jerry's and Popsicle, among others].”

— Ben Cohen, Co-founder, Ben & Jerry's (Parade)

“I think that's become a very significant part of the brand. Which is really interesting. That wasn't the idea. We weren't trying to do that. But I think a significant percentage of Ben & Jerry's customers that are buying the product, it's even better because of the values and the social activism of company.”

— Ben Cohen, Co-founder, Ben & Jerry's (Parade)

What’s next

Cohen plans to continue his campaign to separate Ben & Jerry's from Unilever, including outreach efforts on social media, attending local festivals, and lining up potential investors who share the company's mission-driven values.

The takeaway

Ben & Jerry's has evolved from a humble ice cream shop into an iconic brand known as much for its innovative flavors as its outspoken social and political activism. However, the company's acquisition by Unilever has led to an ongoing battle to preserve its mission-driven identity, with co-founder Ben Cohen now leading the charge to regain the brand's independence.