Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Steps Down, Says Company's Activism Has Been Silenced By Parent Firm

Jerry Greenfield, one of the original founders of Ben & Jerry’s, has made the surprising decision to step away from the company.

Greenfield, alongside Ben Cohen, launched the ice cream brand back in 1978, starting from a small scoop shop and eventually turning it into one of the most recognizable dessert names in the world.

Over the years, the company became known for its bold and creative flavors like Bohemian Raspberry and Caramel Chew Chew, which have built a loyal following around the globe.

Even though the business has expanded massively and continued to grow, Greenfield revealed that he could no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry’s. His statement, shared publicly on Twitter by Ben Cohen, made it clear this was not an easy step for him to take.

Greenfield said he could “no longer in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s.”

He described his choice as “one of the hardest and most painful decisions I’ve ever made,” explaining that the company had been “silenced” despite the original merger agreement that guaranteed its right to remain independent and pursue its founding values.

Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's has left the ice cream making company Jerritt Clark/Getty Images

The ice cream giant was bought by Unilever in 2000, but since then, there have been frequent clashes between the parent company and the brand’s founders. Much of this tension came from disagreements over how Ben & Jerry’s should handle political and social issues.

When the brand was sold, the co-founders stressed that its mission was about more than profits. They insisted on an agreement that ensured Ben & Jerry’s would keep autonomy, including decisions made by an independent board.

One of the most notable disputes came in 2021, when Ben & Jerry’s announced it would no longer sell products in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. The move sparked major headlines and fueled ongoing disagreements with Unilever.

Unilever quickly countered the decision by transferring the rights to sell the brand in that region to its Israeli licensee, effectively overriding the founders’ stand.

There were also claims last year that Unilever pushed the company to stop making public statements that criticized Donald Trump, further fueling the founders’ frustration.

Ben & Jerry’s is now being restructured under The Magnum Ice Cream Company, which is preparing to launch on the stock market as part of a wider shake-up of Unilever’s ice cream division.

Only a week ago, both Cohen and Greenfield publicly called for Ben & Jerry’s to be “released” from its corporate parent and given the chance to operate as a fully independent business once again.

At the time, Magnum responded firmly that Ben & Jerry’s was “not for sale” and would continue as part of the company’s portfolio.

In his resignation letter, Greenfield wrote: "It's profoundly disappointing to come to the conclusion that that independence, the very basis of our sale to Unilever, is gone."

He went on to say: "It was always about more than just ice cream; it was a way to spread love and invite others into the fight for equity, justice and a better world."

"Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible at Ben & Jerry's means I can no longer remain part of Ben & Jerry's."

In response to his departure, a spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company stated: "We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world."

The company further added: "We will be forever grateful to Jerry for his role in co-founding such an amazing ice cream company, turning his passion for delicious ice cream and addressing social causes into a remarkable success story."

"We thank him for his service and support over many decades and wish him well in his next chapter."