Ben & Jerry’s is set to be spun off from Unilever. Here’s how the company’s founding duo built an ice cream empire from an old gas station.

• Unilever said Tuesday that it will spin off its ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry’s.
• It’s the latest change for Ben & Jerry’s, which was founded by two childhood friends from Long Island.
• Here’s the story of Ben & Jerry’s, from a gas station in Vermont to global distribution.

Consumer goods giant Unilever seems ready to unload its ice cream business. That includes Ben & Jerry’s, a brand known for its creatively named flavors – and for taking sides politically.

While many companies keep away from social issues, Ben & Jerry’s has made weighing in part of its strategy. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, for example, the brand released a statement declaring: “We must dismantle white supremacy.” 

Ben & Jerry’s has also participated in campaigns around voting rights and environmental preservation. Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield have either been behind or supported many of the stances that the brand has taken.

Now, Unilever is reportedly planning to spin off Ben & Jerry’s, plus other ice cream brands, such as Magnum. The company acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000.

Here is a look at how the ice cream empire came to be and the men behind it.