The Journal. Ben & Jerry's Co-Founder Wants to Be Set Free
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Oct 6, 2025 
Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, is on a mission to preserve the brand's values amid controversy. He shares insights on why the ice cream company stands firm on social issues, viewing business as a platform for activism. Cohen discusses his decision to stay with the brand despite recent turmoil, including legal battles with Unilever and the fallout from their stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. With plans to seek mission-aligned investors, he remains committed to ensuring Ben & Jerry's stays true to its founding ideals.
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Humble Founding In A Gas Station
- Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield started Ben & Jerry's in a Vermont gas station in 1978 and expected to remain a small local shop.
- Their friendship and shared values shaped the company's early identity and social mission.
Business As A Political Force
- Ben Cohen argues business is today's dominant social force and therefore inherently political.
- He believes businesses must use their platforms to influence elections, laws, and information for public good.
Company-Owned Values After George Floyd
- Ben & Jerry's independent board issued public statements after George Floyd's murder, showing the company's values were embedded beyond its founders.
- Ben felt proud that the company, not just he or Jerry, owned and acted on those values.