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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Money & Work • Food & Beverage

Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's is an American ice cream company founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Ben & Jerry's is an American ice cream company known for its creative flavours and social activism. Founded in 1978 in Vermont, it is now a global brand widely available in Canada.

What it is

Ben & Jerry's produces ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. It was founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. The company is headquartered in South Burlington, with its main factory in Waterbury.

Key details

The company started as a single scoop shop and grew into a multinational brand. It became part of Unilever in 2000, operating as an independent subsidiary. Its parent is now The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

Why it matters

Ben & Jerry's is a familiar brand for Canadian consumers, sold widely across the country. Its commitment to social causes and unique flavours has made it a standout in the ice cream market.

In short

  • Founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont.
  • Makes ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet.
  • Owned by Unilever (via The Magnum Ice Cream Company).
  • Widely sold in Canada.
Canadian angle

Ben & Jerry's is widely sold in Canada and is a familiar international ice cream brand for Canadian consumers.

Quick questions

Who founded Ben & Jerry's?
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield.
Where was it founded?
Burlington, Vermont.
What does it make?
Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_&_Jerry's
    Supports: Founding date, founders, headquarters, products, parent company, factory location, and worldwide distribution.
  2. TIMEhttps://time.com/5252406/ben-jerry-ice-cream-40/
    Supports: Founding story and early growth of Ben & Jerry's.
  3. HISTORYhttps://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/may-5/ben-jerry-open-their-first-ice-cream-shop
    Supports: Opening of the first shop in Burlington in 1978 and founders' names.