Ben & Jerry’s journey from a $12,000 scoop shop in a Vermont gas station to an ice cream empire with annual revenues exceeding $900 million is a tale of entrepreneurial grit, innovative business practices, and relentless advocacy for global change. More than just cones and cups, the company’s legacy is built on pioneering climate action and equality, showing how purpose-driven brands can grow profits while changing the world.
Key Highlights: Sweet Success Built on Purpose
In 1978, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield’s quirky ice cream shop set a new standard for flavor creativity and community engagement. Their recipe for success mixed premium ingredients, playful humor, and bold social missions.
By keeping their business mission interwoven with activism, Ben & Jerry’s turned their brand into a platform for social justice, climate advocacy, and equality.
Business Growth Fueled by Innovation
The company’s iconic flavors, imaginative marketing campaigns, and strategic partnerships powered fast expansion. Their ability to create excitement around new releases fueled consumer loyalty and viral demand.
Becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever in 2000 enabled global scaling while maintaining a commitment to ethical sourcing and local communities.
Ben & Jerry’s now tops global revenue charts, reporting over $900 million in sales each year, with continued steady growth despite competitive market pressures.
Climate Action: Leadership Beyond the Scoop
Ben & Jerry’s set ambitious science-based targets for environmental impact, pledging to use 100% renewable energy by 2025, reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 40% by 2025, and by 80% by 2050.
A self-imposed carbon tax ($5 per metric ton of carbon emissions in North America and €5 in Europe) builds accountability into operations, incentivizing reductions throughout its supply chain—from dairy farms to delivery trucks.
The company supports carbon insetting and sustainable agriculture programs, investing directly in communities where core ingredients are sourced, such as dairy producers and cocoa cooperatives.
Partnerships with organizations like the Climate Reality Project and 350.org amplify voices for clean energy, seeking collective political action and holding leaders accountable to planetary goals.
Ben & Jerry’s Social and Environmental Assessment Report (SEAR) ensures transparency, showing stakeholders real progress on reducing carbon footprint and improving sustainability practices. Each pint is meticulously tracked for its climate impact.
Equality and Advocating for Social Justice
Behind signature flavors and cheeky branding lies a deep history of activism—ranging from racial justice and LGBTQ+ rights to criminal justice reform and refugee support.
Dedicated teams in the company drive marketing with an activist edge, launching flavors like “Justice Remix’d” and programs that mobilize customers and communities to support progressive causes.
Ben & Jerry's internal culture promotes fair hiring, living wages, and equal opportunity, ensuring their impact extends from employees to broader society.
Global Movement for Change
From viral campaigns that mobilized hundreds of thousands of climate activists to programs that inspired legal reform, Ben & Jerry's activism sparks change far beyond ice cream aisles.
Their business model demonstrates that profits and progress can coexist; being purpose-driven not only strengthens brand loyalty but drives financial performance and positive public perception.
Challenges and the Road Forward
The company navigates periodic controversy and public debate over its activism, fighting to maintain independence even under parent company Unilever.
Continued investment in research, development, advocacy, and transparency ensures Ben & Jerry's commitment to climate and equality remains at the heart of its business strategy.
By 2025, Ben & Jerry's expects all facilities to run on renewable energy and to have decoupled revenue growth from its greenhouse gas footprint even as it inspires other corporations to follow suit.
Conclusion: Scooping Success with Social Responsibility
Ben & Jerry’s rise is more than clever flavors and sweet marketing—it is proof of vision, purpose, and principled action changing a global business, inspiring climate action, and championing equality for all. The world’s beloved ice cream brand continues to set the bar for how industry leaders can drive revenue, reshape culture, and build a future that is both sweet and sustainable.
Sources: AIM2Flourish, Pure Strategies, Ben & Jerry’s UK, Business Models Inc., Forbes
