Ice Cream War: Ben & Jerry's vs Unilever's Ugly Dispute
Ice cream manufacturers Ben & Jerry's confirm dismissal of CEO due to brand's political commentary.
Things are getting heated between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company Unilever, in an escalating dispute that's turning ugly as mochi. Since 2021, these two have been locked in a battle royale, and here's the lowdown on their saga so far.
Key Battles
- 2000 Merger Agreement
- When Unilever bought Ben & Jerry's, they established an independent board to let the ice cream brand maintain its progressive values and social mission.
- 2021 Controversy
- After Ben & Jerry's stopped selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, tensions started rising between the two. This decision marked the beginning of the escalation.
- 2023 CEO Appointment
- David Stever, who began as a tour guide in 1988, was appointed as Ben & Jerry's CEO in 2023.
- November 2024 Lawsuit
- Ben & Jerry's sued Unilever, claiming attempts to dismantle their board and suppress their activism.
- March 2025 CEO Removal and Litigation Escalation
- Unilever removed Stever without consulting the independent board, leading to further legal action from Ben & Jerry's. In response, Ben & Jerry's amended its lawsuit, accusing Unilever of breaching their 2000 merger agreement.
- Ongoing Tensions
- Ben & Jerry's claims Unilever has been restricting various social advocacy efforts, such as blocking a post for Black History Month, supporting a detained student, and addressing issues like minimum wage and climate change.
- Unilever argues that Ben & Jerry's activism has grown too contentious.
- Business Restructuring
- Unilever plans on spinning off its ice cream brands, including Ben & Jerry's.
As this ice cream battle rages on, you can't help but wonder who will scoop up the win. Keep frappin' in, folks, and we'll keep you posted!
Fun Fact:
Did you know that Ben & Jerry's was founded in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978? That's some frozen history! ❄️🚀💊😈🔥💔💥
Jerry, allegedly, expressed concerns about Unilever's business plan to restructure ice cream brands, which includes the potential merger of Ben & Jerry's with other food companies.
Resolutions to the ongoing dispute between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever, regarding the restriction of social advocacy efforts and alleged breaches of the 2000 merger agreement, remain uncertain.
Unilever's move to spin off its ice cream brands, such as Ben & Jerry's, could have significant implications for the company's progressive values and social mission, as established in the 2000 merger agreement.
