You probably think you know who owns Ben and Jerry’s. You might picture the two iconic hippies from Vermont, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, still calling the shots from a wood-paneled office in Waterbury. Or maybe you’ve heard the name Unilever tossed around—the massive global conglomerate that bought them out decades ago.
But as of early 2026, the answer is a lot more complicated than a simple bill of sale. Honestly, the brand is currently in the middle of a corporate divorce that looks less like a clean break and more like a high-stakes legal brawl.
If you want to know who actually signs the checks and who makes sure your Cherry Garcia stays "socially conscious," we have to look at a new name: The Magnum Ice Cream Company.
The Big Spin-Off: From Unilever to Magnum
For 25 years, Ben & Jerry’s was the quirky, activist child of Unilever. It was a weird marriage from the start. Unilever is a British-Dutch giant that sells everything from Dove soap to Hellmann’s mayo. Ben & Jerry’s is... well, Ben & Jerry’s.
In late 2024, Unilever’s leadership decided they’d had enough of the freezer aisle. They announced they were spinning off their entire ice cream division—including Breyers, Cornetto, and Magnum—into a standalone business. By late 2025, that process birthed a new entity: The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC).
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Technically, as of today, January 17, 2026, The Magnum Ice Cream Company owns Ben and Jerry’s.
But "ownership" here doesn't mean "total control." When the original sale happened back in 2000, Ben and Jerry weren't just looking for a payout. They were terrified of "selling out." So, they baked something unique into the contract: an Independent Board of Directors.
This board has the legal right to protect the "social mission" of the brand. They can literally sue their owners if they feel the company’s activism is being stifled. And boy, have they been suing.
The 2026 Legal War for the Brand's Soul
The transition to Magnum hasn't been smooth. Not even a little bit.
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Just this month, in January 2026, the Ben & Jerry’s Independent Board filed a fresh lawsuit in New York against Magnum. The drama? Magnum allegedly blocked the board from appointing Chris Miller, a long-time social mission veteran, to a director seat.
It gets nastier. Last month, Magnum tried to enforce "governance enhancements." Sounds boring, right? It wasn't. They tried to retroactively apply nine-year term limits, which would have instantly kicked off three of the board's most vocal, long-serving members, including chair Anuradha Mittal.
- Magnum’s Stance: We need "transparency" and "modern governance."
- The Board’s Stance: This is a "power grab" designed to shut us up about global politics and social justice.
Basically, Magnum owns the factories, the trucks, and the recipes. But the Independent Board owns the "vibe" and the political voice. It's a tug-of-war where neither side is letting go of the rope.
What Happened to Ben and Jerry?
You’re probably wondering where the actual guys are. Jerry Greenfield officially called it quits in September 2025. He left his role as a brand ambassador, saying his heart was "broken" because he felt the company was being silenced over issues like the conflict in Gaza.
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Ben Cohen is still around, mostly acting as a vocal critic from the sidelines. He’s been leading protests, even showing up in London last year to demand that Unilever "free" Ben & Jerry's and let it become a truly independent company again.
So, do Ben and Jerry own the company? No. They haven't owned it since 2000. Do they even work there? Mostly, no. They are the faces on the pint, but they’ve lost the keys to the building.
Why This Ownership Mess Matters to You
You might think, "I just want my Half Baked; why do I care about a boardroom fight?"
The reason Ben & Jerry’s has a cult following isn't just the chunks of cookie dough. It’s the fact that they take stands that make corporate lawyers sweat. If Magnum succeeds in "taming" the board, the brand becomes just another ice cream label.
The Stakes in 2026
- Product Integrity: The board also oversees "product quality." If the owners want to cut costs by using cheaper ingredients, the board can theoretically block it.
- Social Activism: From climate change to refugee rights, the board decides what the brand stands for.
- The Spin-Off Value: Magnum is heading toward an Initial Public Offering (IPO). If the legal battle keeps raging, investors might get jittery about buying into a company that is constantly suing itself.
The Actionable Reality
If you are looking to support the brand or understand where your money goes, here is the current breakdown:
- Financial Parent: The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formerly Unilever’s ice cream wing).
- Mission Control: An Independent Board of Directors (currently fighting for its life in court).
- Management: Led by CEO Jochanan Senf, who was appointed by the corporate side but claims he wants to "safeguard" the mission.
What you should do next: Keep an eye on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The rulings there over the next few months will determine if Ben & Jerry's remains the activist powerhouse it’s been for 40 years or if it finally settles into a quiet, corporate retirement under its new Magnum overlords. If you're an investor or a conscious consumer, the "Social Mission" reports published by the board are the only way to see if the brand is actually sticking to its roots or just moving units.