Ben & Jerry's Cookies on Cookie Dough

Ben & Jerry's was founded in 1978 in Burlington, Vermont, USA, by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. The brand quickly became iconic for its chunky mix-ins and social activism. Originally an independent company, it was acquired by the multinational consumer goods giant Unilever in 2000.

Manufacturing of Ben & Jerry's products is distributed globally to serve various markets efficiently. Products sold in North America are primarily produced in Vermont, USA (Waterbury and Saint Albans), while products sold in Europe, such as the German market, are typically manufactured in Hellendoorn, Netherlands. This non-dairy variety uses almond or oat bases to cater to vegan consumers while maintaining the brand's signature dense texture. Although under Unilever's ownership, the brand operates with an independent board of directors to preserve its social mission and product integrity.