Who owns Ben & Jerry's?

Ben & Jerry's own website confirms it is 'a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Magnum Ice Cream Company' and notes its transition from Unilever was slated to complete by end of 2025 / beginning of 2026.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. (TMICC) was demerged from Unilever on 6 December 2025 and began trading on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange, and the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol 'MICC' on 8 December 2025, with an initial market value of approximately $9.1 billion.

TMICC's own investor FAQ confirms it is incorporated in the Netherlands and listed on Euronext Amsterdam, the London Stock Exchange, and the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker 'MICC' as of 8 December 2025.

Following the demerger, Unilever retained approximately 19.9% of TMICC and intends to sell all retained shares within five years; approximately 80% of TMICC is owned by public shareholders.

CNBC reported TMICC's Amsterdam debut on 8 December 2025, confirming Ben & Jerry's and Magnum are now part of the standalone public company; the stock opened at 12.20 euros giving a market cap of approximately 7.9 billion euros.

No private equity firm has been identified as owning or holding a stake in Ben & Jerry's, TMICC, or any intermediate holding company; the parent is a publicly listed corporation with no PE fund in the ownership chain.

Unilever's own demerger page confirms TMICC completed its separation from Unilever and its shares are listed in Amsterdam, London, and New York, with Unilever retaining a minority stake of less than 20% to be sold down over time.

The operating legal entity behind Ben & Jerry's is Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., incorporated in Vermont, which has held trademark registrations and was the NASDAQ-listed entity (symbol BJICA) before its 2000 acquisition.

Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's in 2000 for $326 million in a tender offer, becoming 100% owner and delisting the company from public markets; an independent board was contractually created to protect the brand's social mission.

Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. is confirmed as the primary operating entity under which all core business activities are conducted, including product development, brand strategy, and marketing.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company has stated flatly that Ben & Jerry's is 'not for sale' and remains 'a proud part' of its portfolio.

Ben & Jerry's co-founder Jerry Greenfield resigned in September 2025 amid an ongoing dispute with Unilever/TMICC over brand independence; the founders launched a 'Free Ben & Jerry's' campaign seeking independent ownership with 'socially-aligned investors.'