Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigns after 47 years, accusing Unilever of silencing the brand’s activism. Here’s why he walked away.
After nearly five decades, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has announced his resignation, claiming the beloved ice cream brand has been stripped of the independence it was promised.
Greenfield, who started the company in 1978 with partner Ben Cohen, revealed in a statement (shared on Twitter by Cohen) that he could “no longer in good conscience remain an employee of Ben & Jerry’s.”
Calling it “one of the hardest and most painful decisions” of his life, Greenfield accused Unilever, the brand’s parent company since 2000, of silencing Ben & Jerry’s long-standing tradition of speaking out on social and political issues.
A Clash Over Values
From flavors like Bohemian Raspberry to Caramel Chew Chew, Ben & Jerry’s has become a household name worldwide. But to Greenfield and Cohen, the company has always been about more than just ice cream.
“It was always about spreading love, fighting for equity, justice, and a better world,” Greenfield said in his resignation. “Coming to the conclusion that this is no longer possible means I cannot remain.”
The co-founders had reached an agreement with Unilever during the 2000 merger that guaranteed Ben & Jerry’s independence and an autonomous board focused on social responsibility. But tensions between the two sides have grown in recent years.
Previous Disputes With Unilever
In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop selling ice cream in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories, sparking international backlash. Unilever bypassed the decision by selling the brand’s rights in the region to an Israeli licensee.
After 47 years, Jerry has made the difficult decision to step down from the company we built together. I’m sharing his words as he resigns from Ben & Jerry’s. His legacy deserves to be true to our values, not silenced by @MagnumGlobal #FreeBenAndJerrys pic.twitter.com/EZXGRjs76a
— Ben Cohen (@YoBenCohen) September 17, 2025
Last year, the company alleged Unilever pressured it to stop criticizing Donald Trump publicly.
Most recently, Unilever restructured its frozen foods business into The Magnum Ice Cream Company, sparking renewed calls from Cohen and Greenfield to let Ben & Jerry’s operate independently.
Unilever has so far refused, stating Ben & Jerry’s is “not for sale.”
Company Response
In response to Greenfield’s resignation, a spokesperson for The Magnum Ice Cream Company thanked him for his decades of service but disagreed with his accusations.
“We have sought to engage both co-founders in constructive conversation,” the statement read. “We will be forever grateful to Jerry for his role in co-founding such an amazing company, and we wish him well.”
For now, Ben & Jerry’s remains part of Unilever’s global portfolio — but Greenfield’s departure raises questions about the brand’s future and its ability to continue its tradition of social activism.
