Famed ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's is looking to seize full control of their company. Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield are reportedly ready to make the move. After years of alleged tension with their parent company, Magnum Ice Cream.
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According to a Monday (October 25) report from The Wall Street Journal, Ben & Jerry's and Magnum have opened exploratory discussions with Pete Stavros. The founder of Expanding ESOPs. With the goal of carving out the business and structuring it under an employee stock-ownership plan (New York Post).
Ben & Jerry's Looking to Separate From Magnum
Per the report, the proposed deal would give employees that don'thold managerial or supervisory roles stock in the company. And simultaneously provide the company with tax benefits.
However, Magnum does not appear to have any interest in splitting from the "Chunky Monkey" creators.
In an emailed statement obtained by the New York Post, they said: "Ben & Jerry's is not for sale. And, more importantly, is thriving as part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company."
The statement also adds: "Taking?Ben & Jerry's?out of?Magnum?would drive significant?dis-synergies, investment?in?the?social?mission would?fall, and?selling prices per unit would inflate."
What Caused The Rift Between The Two Companies?
What has been the cause of the rift between Ben & Jerry's and Magnum? The report suggests that it has to do with Ben & Jerry's stance when it comes to social justice issues. The brand has a history of clashing with Unilever (which was converted to Magnum in December 2025) over their political stances.
For example, an excerpt from the brand's website reads.
"There is an awakening happening in our country, a new movement of advocates and activists that are countering the narrative that we've moved to a post-racial era."
The statement continues:
" It is true that while we may have fewer overt racists, racism is still deeply embedded within systems like our schools, workplaces, the criminal justice system, and hospitals, to name a few. Think about it: because white people occupy a disproportionate number of positions of power in our society, this comes at the expense of people of color."
The report also adds that Magnum has tried to compromise the strength of Ben & Jerry's independent board, which currently features five members.
Cohen essentially told WSJ that his hands are tied as far as a potential sale goes. But he is hopeful that generating "public pressure" would encourage their parent company to sell
