Unilever owns Ben and Jerry’s. Unilever is primarily owned by Unilever and its Associates, followed by foreign portfolio investors, individuals, and others. Unilever generated over €60 billion in revenue 2022, comprising many brands spanning beauty & wellbeing, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream.
Detail
Description
Brand
Ben & Jerry’s
Ownership Structure
Wholly owned subsidiary
Parent Company
Unilever
Acquisition Date
August 3, 2000
Founding Date
May 5, 1978
Founders
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
Headquarters
South Burlington, Vermont, USA
Primary Business
Producing and marketing ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet
Strategic Goals
Promoting social and environmental responsibility, maintaining high product quality, and expanding product lines and market reach
Unilever Structure: Ben & Jerry’s operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever. The acquisition by Unilever in 2000 allowed Ben & Jerry’s to expand its global reach while maintaining its commitment to social and environmental causes.
Public Trading: Unilever, the parent company, is publicly traded on several stock exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange (ULVR) and the New York Stock Exchange (UL).
Brand Strategy: Ben & Jerry’s is known for its unique flavors, creative branding, and commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and fair trade practices. The brand often incorporates activism into its marketing and business practices.
Unilever’s Commitment: Unilever supports Ben & Jerry’s mission by integrating the brand’s social and environmental commitments into its broader corporate responsibility framework. Despite being owned by a large corporation, Ben & Jerry’s retains a degree of operational independence, especially regarding its social mission and brand values.
Aspect
Description
Analysis
Examples
Products and Services
Ben & Jerry’s is an ice cream and frozen dessert company that offers a wide range of ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt, and non-dairy frozen desserts. The core offerings include unique and creative ice cream flavors, such as Cherry Garcia, Chunky Monkey, and Phish Food. The company is known for using high-quality ingredients and incorporating various chunks and swirls into its ice cream products. Ben & Jerry’s also produces sorbet and non-dairy options to cater to different dietary preferences.
Ben & Jerry’s primary products are ice cream, frozen yogurt, and non-dairy frozen desserts, featuring a diverse range of unique and creative flavors. The incorporation of high-quality ingredients, chunks, and swirls sets the brand apart. Sorbet and non-dairy options expand the product line for broader appeal.
Ben & Jerry’s generates revenue primarily through the sale of its ice cream and frozen dessert products to consumers through various channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, scoop shops, and online sales. The company also earns income from licensing agreements and merchandise sales, such as branded apparel and accessories.
Revenue from the sale of ice cream and frozen desserts is the main income source, driven by consumer purchases from retail stores, scoop shops, and online platforms. Licensing agreements extend the brand’s reach and generate additional income. Merchandise sales, including apparel and accessories, contribute to earnings.
Revenue from the sale of ice cream and frozen dessert products (e.g., pints, cones), income from licensing agreements for the brand and products (e.g., Ben & Jerry’s-themed merchandise), merchandise sales (e.g., branded apparel, accessories).
Customer Segments
Ben & Jerry’s serves a diverse customer base that includes ice cream enthusiasts, families, individuals seeking unique flavors, and those with dietary restrictions (e.g., non-dairy options). The brand appeals to consumers looking for high-quality and socially responsible ice cream products.
Ben & Jerry’s target demographic encompasses ice cream enthusiasts, families, individuals seeking unique and creative flavors, and those with dietary restrictions. The brand’s reputation for quality and social responsibility enhances customer loyalty.
Ice cream enthusiasts, families, individuals seeking unique and creative ice cream flavors, those with dietary restrictions (e.g., non-dairy options), customers valuing high-quality and socially responsible products.
Distribution Channels
Ben & Jerry’s distributes its products through a variety of channels, including supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, scoop shops (retail outlets dedicated to selling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream), and its official website for online sales. The company’s ice cream is available both in retail locations and through e-commerce platforms.
Distribution through supermarkets and grocery stores provides accessibility to a wide customer base. Convenience stores offer quick purchase options. Scoop shops provide a unique in-person experience. The official website serves as an online sales platform, complementing physical retail presence.
Distribution through supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, scoop shops (e.g., Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop), the official Ben & Jerry’s website (benjerry.com) for online sales, both physical retail locations and e-commerce platforms.
Key Partnerships
Ben & Jerry’s collaborates with dairy farmers and suppliers to source high-quality ingredients for its ice cream products. The company also partners with environmental and social organizations to support various causes. Additionally, Ben & Jerry’s works with retailers and distribution partners to ensure its products are readily available to consumers.
Collaborations with dairy farmers and suppliers ensure the use of high-quality ingredients, aligning with the brand’s commitment to quality. Partnerships with environmental and social organizations demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility and activism. Collaborations with retailers and distribution partners expand market reach.
Collaborations with dairy farmers and suppliers (e.g., Fair Trade suppliers), partnerships with environmental and social organizations (e.g., The Climate Collaborative, Peace, Love & Ice Cream), collaborations with retailers and distribution partners (e.g., supermarket chains).
Key Resources
Ben & Jerry’s key resources include its portfolio of ice cream and frozen dessert products, iconic flavors, production facilities, distribution networks, scoop shops, the official website, a strong brand identity, quality ingredients, social and environmental activism initiatives, and a commitment to corporate social responsibility.
The portfolio of ice cream and frozen dessert products forms the core resource, featuring iconic and unique flavors. Production facilities enable ice cream production. Distribution networks ensure products reach consumers. Scoop shops offer a unique retail experience. The official website facilitates online sales and engagement. A strong brand identity fosters customer loyalty. Quality ingredients maintain product standards. Social and environmental activism initiatives align with the brand’s values. A commitment to corporate social responsibility reflects its mission.
Portfolio of ice cream and frozen dessert products (e.g., unique and iconic flavors), production facilities, distribution networks, scoop shops, the official Ben & Jerry’s website (benjerry.com), strong brand identity, quality ingredients, social and environmental activism initiatives, commitment to corporate social responsibility.
Cost Structure
Ben & Jerry’s incurs costs related to the production and packaging of its ice cream products, including raw materials (e.g., milk, cream), manufacturing, quality control, and packaging. Investment in marketing and advertising campaigns promotes brand awareness and social initiatives. Employee salaries, including production staff and marketing teams, represent a significant portion of costs. Distribution and logistics expenses are incurred to deliver products to various channels. Investments in social and environmental initiatives require resources.
Costs related to ice cream production encompass raw materials, manufacturing processes, quality control measures, and packaging. Marketing and advertising campaigns are essential for brand visibility and supporting social initiatives. Employee salaries, including production staff and marketing teams, constitute a substantial expense. Distribution and logistics costs are necessary for product delivery. Investments in social and environmental initiatives reflect the brand’s commitment to activism and sustainability.
Costs related to ice cream production and packaging, marketing and advertising campaigns (e.g., Ben & Jerry’s advertising), employee salaries (e.g., production staff, marketing teams), distribution and logistics expenses, investments in social and environmental initiatives (e.g., fair trade, climate action).
Competitive Advantage
Ben & Jerry’s competitive advantage lies in its unique and creative ice cream flavors, a commitment to high-quality ingredients, a strong brand identity, social and environmental activism, distribution networks, and a loyal customer base. The brand’s flavor innovation and social initiatives set it apart.
Unique and creative ice cream flavors are a distinct advantage, driving customer interest and loyalty. A commitment to high-quality ingredients aligns with customer expectations. A strong brand identity fosters trust and recognition. Social and environmental activism initiatives resonate with socially conscious consumers. Extensive distribution networks ensure product availability. A loyal customer base supports brand growth.
Unique and creative ice cream flavors, commitment to high-quality ingredients, strong brand identity, social and environmental activism initiatives, extensive distribution networks, loyal customer base.
Value Proposition
Ben & Jerry’s offers customers a value proposition centered on indulgent, unique, and socially responsible ice cream experiences. The brand provides a wide range of flavors, incorporating chunks and swirls, to delight taste buds. Customers value the brand’s commitment to social and environmental causes.
Ben & Jerry’s value proposition revolves around indulgent and unique ice cream experiences that delight taste buds with chunks and swirls. The brand’s social and environmental activism initiatives resonate with customers seeking socially responsible choices. Ben & Jerry’s delivers on its promise of high-quality, flavorful, and socially responsible ice cream products.
Indulgent and unique ice cream experiences, wide range of flavors with chunks and swirls, commitment to social and environmental causes, high-quality and flavorful ice cream products, socially responsible choices.
Key Highlights about Unilever’s Ownership and Ben & Jerry’s Brand:
Ownership of Ben & Jerry’s by Unilever: Unilever owns the brand Ben & Jerry’s. Ben & Jerry’s operates as a subsidiary under the Unilever umbrella.
Ownership Structure of Unilever: Unilever’s ownership primarily includes Unilever and its Associates, which are entities related to Unilever’s operations. Additionally, foreign portfolio investors, individual shareholders, and other stakeholders hold ownership in the company.
Diverse Brand Portfolio: Unilever boasts a diverse portfolio of brands that encompass various sectors such as beauty & wellbeing, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream. Ben & Jerry’s is a prominent brand within Unilever’s ice cream category.
Revenue Generation: In 2022, Unilever generated over €60 billion in revenue. This substantial revenue figure highlights the wide-ranging popularity of Unilever’s brands across different industries and markets.
Ben & Jerry’s Identity and Offerings: Ben & Jerry’s is renowned for its premium ice cream products, creative flavors, and socially conscious approach. The brand emphasizes values such as social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Corporate and Brand Synergy: Ben & Jerry’s commitment to social causes aligns with Unilever’s broader sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. This synergy allows Unilever to cater to consumers who prioritize ethical and socially conscious products.
Global Presence: Both Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s have a global reach, with their products available in numerous countries around the world.
Ongoing Evolution: Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s continue to evolve to meet changing consumer preferences and market trends. Ben & Jerry’s innovation in ice cream flavors and its dedication to social and environmental causes contribute to its ongoing appeal.
In 2020, Unilever reported revenue of 50.72 billion. The company’s revenue increased in 2021, reaching a total of 52.44 billion. Unilever experienced significant revenuegrowth in 2022, with total revenue amounting to 60.07 billion.
In 2020, Unilever reported a net profit of 6.07 billion. The company’s net profit increased in 2021, reaching a total of 6.62 billion. Unilever experienced significant growth in net profit in 2022, with total net profit amounting to 8.27 billion.
Unilever is the world’s leading consumer goods company, making and selling around 400 brands in more than 190 countries in 2022 – based on a direct-to-consumer businessmodel. With over 60 billion euros in revenues that span personal care, home care, foods, and refreshment, Unilever is the second largest advertiser in the world. Unilever can reach millions of consumers across the world thanks to its marketing campaigns.
Unilever is primarily owned by Unilever and its Associates, followed by foreign portfolio investors, individuals, and others. Unilever generated over €60 billion in revenue 2022, comprising many brands spanning beauty & wellbeing, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream.
Gennaro is the creator of FourWeekMBA, which reached about four million business people, comprising C-level executives, investors, analysts, product managers, and aspiring digital entrepreneurs in 2022 alone | He is also Director of Sales for a high-tech scaleup in the AI Industry | In 2012, Gennaro earned an International MBA with emphasis on Corporate Finance and Business Strategy.
