The Jerry from Ben & Jerry's has quit — and is criticizing parent company Unilever on his way out

Core Points - Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, announced his resignation from the company, citing a loss of independence in advocating for social and political issues as a primary reason for his departure [2][3][5] - Greenfield expressed disappointment over Unilever's influence on the brand, stating that the original agreement allowing the company to advocate for social causes has been compromised [5][10] - Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry's for $326 million in 2000, with a provision that allowed the brand to maintain its advocacy for social and political causes [4] Company and Industry Summary - Jerry Greenfield's resignation marks a significant change for Ben & Jerry's, a brand known for its commitment to social justice and political activism [2][4] - The relationship between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever, has been strained, particularly following the brand's decision in 2021 to stop selling ice cream in Israeli settlements, leading to legal disputes [5][10] - Unilever is currently in the process of spinning off its ice cream business, which may impact the future direction and independence of Ben & Jerry's [9]