Ben & Jerry’s Founders Plot to Buy Back Brand Amid Clash over Israel
The founders of Ben & Jerry's are reportedly exploring buying the brand back from Unilever following years of conflict with the consumer giant over its stance on Israel. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who founded the ice cream maker in Vermont in 1978, have discussed a potential deal that could be worth billions of dollars. The two businessmen sold the brand to Unilever in 2000 in a $326m deal.
- This move suggests that even some of the most recognizable brands may struggle with the challenges of maintaining their values and mission under external ownership.
- Will this new development lead to a broader conversation about corporate social responsibility, or will it remain largely within the confines of the Ben & Jerry's brand?