5 Shocking Updates On Ben & Jerry's: From Corporate War To 5 New Flavors (2025-2026)

The iconic ice cream brand Ben & Jerry's is currently at the center of a massive corporate and ethical firestorm, with its founders actively fighting to "free" the company from its parent corporation, Unilever. This dramatic conflict, which has escalated significantly in late 2025, centers on the brand's pioneering social mission and its ability to act on its political values, a core tenet established by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield decades ago. The news is not just about corporate drama, however, as the company is simultaneously rolling out a fresh line of products for the 2026 season.

This article provides the most current and essential updates from the end of 2025, covering the founders' unprecedented campaign for a buyback, the departure of a co-founder, the appointment of a new CEO, and the exciting launch of new ice cream bars, ensuring you have the freshest scoop on the beloved Vermont-based company today, December 12, 2025.

The Architects of Activism: Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield Biography

The story of Ben & Jerry's is inseparable from the lives of its founders, two childhood friends who turned a correspondence course on ice cream making into a global, multi-billion-dollar enterprise known for both its chunky flavors and its progressive politics.

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• Ben Cohen (Co-Founder): Born on March 18, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. Cohen is known for his creative vision for the chunky, eclectic flavors that define the brand, a necessity due to his anosmia (lack of a sense of smell), which compelled him to focus on texture and mouthfeel. He remains a vocal activist, continuing to fight for the "liberation" of the brand from its corporate ownership in late 2025. He is a prominent figure in the social justice movement, using his platform to advocate for various causes.
• Jerry Greenfield (Co-Founder): Born on March 14, 1951, also in Brooklyn, New York. Greenfield is often credited with the business and operational side of the original company. He recently stepped away from the brand in 2025, citing irreconcilable conflicts with Unilever over the company's social mission, specifically accusing the parent company of trying to silence the brand’s political voice.
• Founding Story: The pair opened their first scoop shop in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in May 1978, with an initial investment of $12,000.
• Unilever Acquisition: The company was sold to the global consumer goods giant Unilever in 2000 for $326 million. A key part of the acquisition agreement was the establishment of an independent board for Ben & Jerry’s to protect its social mission, a structure that has been the source of nearly two decades of corporate clashes.

The Corporate Cold War: Founders Fight to 'Free' the Brand in 2025

The relationship between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever, has always been strained, but it reached a dramatic breaking point in 2025. This conflict is the single biggest piece of news surrounding the company today, overshadowing all other developments.

Jerry Greenfield's Shocking Departure and Accusations

In a major development in late 2025, co-founder Jerry Greenfield stepped away from the company. His departure was not a quiet retirement but a public protest against Unilever's corporate decisions. Greenfield accused Unilever of attempting to "silence" the brand's core social mission, specifically in relation to the company's 2021 decision to cease sales in the West Bank.

This move highlights the fundamental tension between a mission-driven company and a massive, publicly traded conglomerate. The founders believe the corporate structure is actively undermining the brand's ability to advocate for social justice, a principle they established back in 1978.

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The "Free Ben & Jerry's" Campaign and Buyback Talk

In response to the escalating conflict, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield launched an unprecedented public campaign to "free" the ice cream company from Unilever. The founders, now in their seventies, are actively exploring the possibility of buying back their eponymous brand.

This campaign is a direct challenge to the corporate status quo and is fueled by the founders' desire to restore the brand's full independence to pursue its social and political activism without corporate interference. They have even urged a full IPO exit from Unilever's ice cream division, which is set to be spun out.

Unilever’s Spin-Off and the New CEO: A Changing Landscape

The corporate structure of Ben & Jerry's is undergoing a massive transformation, independent of the founders' efforts. Unilever is spinning off its entire ice cream division into a new, separate entity, which will include Ben & Jerry's.

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• The Magnum Ice Cream Co. Era: As of November 2025, Ben & Jerry's is slated to be owned by the newly formed Magnum Ice Cream Co. This spin-off is part of a larger corporate restructuring by Unilever, but it has only intensified the "war of words" with the founders.
• A New Generation of Leadership: Amidst the corporate turmoil, the company announced a significant leadership change. On July 10, 2025, Jochanan Senf was named the new CEO of Ben & Jerry's. This appointment signals a new chapter for the brand, with a fresh executive team inheriting the ongoing conflicts with the parent company and the founders.
• Ongoing Legal Battles: The conflict is not just rhetorical; it has involved lawsuits. Unilever has publicly "slammed" Ben & Jerry's in the past over legal actions, demonstrating the deep, costly rift between the two entities.

The Sweetest News: 5 New Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Bars for 2026

Despite the high-stakes corporate drama, the company continues to innovate and deliver on its promise of euphoric flavors. The most exciting news for consumers is the launch of a brand-new product line: Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Bars. These new treats are set to hit freezer aisles as soon as January 2026, offering a new way to enjoy the classic, chunky experience.

The launch includes five indulgent flavors, all based on fan-favorite pints, promising a rich, chocolate-coated experience with the signature chunks and swirls the brand is famous for. This product expansion shows the company's commitment to market growth even while navigating major internal upheaval.

The five new Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Bar flavors are:

1. Cookie Dough: The classic vanilla ice cream with chunks of chocolate chip cookie dough and fudge flakes.
2. Chocolate Fudge Brownie: Chocolate ice cream loaded with fudgy brownies, a staple flavor derived from the Greyston Bakery partnership.
3. Strawberry Cheesecake: Strawberry cheesecake ice cream with a graham cracker swirl and strawberry pieces.
4. PB Pretzel: A salty-sweet combination of peanut butter ice cream with fudge-covered pretzel pieces and a peanut butter swirl.
5. Caramel Blondie: Vanilla ice cream with a caramel swirl and chunks of blondie brownies.

The Future of Ben & Jerry's: Mission vs. Margin

The story of Ben & Jerry's in late 2025 is a powerful case study in the tension between corporate profit and social mission. The founders' campaign to reclaim the brand from Unilever, the departure of Jerry Greenfield, and the looming spin-off into the Magnum Ice Cream Co. all point to a pivotal moment in the company's history.

Entities like the independent board, the new CEO Jochanan Senf, and the legal teams on both sides will determine whether the brand can maintain its identity as a force for social good or if it will fully succumb to the demands of a global corporate structure. For now, consumers can enjoy the new line of ice cream bars while watching the high-stakes battle for the soul of the company unfold.