Ben & Jerry's Franchise News

Suggestions From Fans Fuel the Conversation…and the Stops
MIAMI - (BUSINESS WIRE) - You know you’ve had that sudden urge for an afternoon pick-me-up treat, something sweet and refreshing, only to realize that you’re too busy to step out of the office for a few minutes and satisfy your craving. With Ben & Jerry’s latest outreach effort, you’re in luck! With a little social media savvy-ness and a worthwhile cause, you could have Ben & Jerry’s come straight to you to serve up scoops of peace, love and the company’s brand new, refreshing Greek Frozen Yogurt - just in time for an afternoon spring fling. “Traditionally, when companies sample their product they stay at one spot, serve tiny little samples, and hope that consumers can find them”
From May 21st through June 15th, the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Truck will tour Miami, stopping at local businesses, non-profits and community events...

Suggestions From Fans Fuel the Conversation…and the Stops
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--You know you’ve had that sudden urge for an afternoon pick-me-up treat, something sweet and refreshing, only to realize that you’re too busy to step out of the office for a few minutes and satisfy your craving. With Ben & Jerry’s latest outreach effort, you’re in luck! With a little social media savvy-ness and a worthwhile cause, you could have Ben & Jerry’s come straight to you to serve up scoops of peace, love and the company’s brand new, refreshing Greek Frozen Yogurt - just in time for an afternoon spring fling.
From April 16th through May 11th, the Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Truck will tour Washington DC, stopping at local businesses, non-profits and community events...

Anniversary of Phish Food and Phish’s WaterWheel Foundation Celebrated with Event that benefits Vermont Flood Recovery
BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In 1997, Ben and Jerry did something that ice cream lovers across the globe would celebrate for years to come: they took chocolate ice cream, swirled in gooey marshmallow and sweet caramel, and finished it off with some chocolate Phish – er, fish. That’s right, 15 years ago, working in conjunction with the Vermont band, Phish, the ice cream makers created the flavor smash sensation Phish Food. At the same time, Phish launched their WaterWheel Foundation, a non-profit organization funded by proceeds from the sale of Phish Food ice cream. After 15 years, and millions of dollars raised for the benevolent works of the WaterWheel Foundation, things have kept moving along… swimmingly...

New Greek Frozen Yogurt & Fun Lead the Festivities at Annual “Thanks” to Fans
BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Every year since 1979 Ben & Jerry’s fans have asked the same question: “Why? Why do you give away free ice cream on your anniversary?” The answer hasn’t changed since that fateful day to celebrate the ice cream maker’s first year of business. Cofounders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield created Free Cone Day as a “thank you” to the community that supported their business. While a lot has changed in the last 34 years, the company has never failed to hold the annual giveaway to throw open the doors and continue the tradition.
“There is nothing else in the world like Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day”
“There is nothing else in the world like Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day,” said the progressive ice cream maker’s CEO Jostein Solheim who, like other Ben & Jerry’s employees, happily grabs a scoop and jumps behind the lines to serve up Vermont’s Finest every year...

Fruit Based Flavors Find Their Way to Freezer Shelves and Scoop Shops Across the U.S.
BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Being a flavor developer - internally known as a “Flavor Guru” - at Ben & Jerry’s isn’t just about proving that you can play with your food at the home base in Vermont. The team also must travel the world identifying the latest culinary trends, flavors and ingredients. Tough job. The latest inspiration for the company that has come up with Cherry Garcia, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Phish Food and Chubby Hubby was a much less exotic trip. It was a jaunt down the grocery aisle, where the popularity behind Greek Yogurt led to today’s introduction of a delicious new line of Greek Frozen Yogurts...

Ice Cream Maker Unveils 2012 Social Mission Effort & Election Year Makeover for Colbert’s Pint as the New AmeriCone Dream.
BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On the evening of one of the company’s most successful celebrity flavors’ 5th birthday, Ben & Jerry’s launched its newest social mission quest with a focus to Get the Dough Out of Politics. “This is the new version of the AmeriCone Dream,” said Ben & Jerry’s CEO, Jostein Solheim. “Since it involves corporations, money, and politicians we felt it was only fitting to do so with a new SUPERPACK pint design on Stephen Colbert’s flavor – and on AmeriCone Dream’s fifth anniversary.”
“’We feel that the time is now, during an election year, and that this is the major issue to highlight as the NEW American dream”
Fans have hungrily lapped up the Colbert-approved concoction since the February 14, 2007 kick off...

Social Mission Outreach Always a Priority for Scoop Shop Owners
NASSAU, Bahamas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At first glance, the clean up effort had absolutely nothing to do with ice cream. The hot Nassau sun beat down on the hundreds of volunteers. The sweat, soil and a few bruises did nothing to dissuade the blue-shirt clad workers’ support for the global community. In the end, it was just business as usual for a day in the life of a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop owner.
“This activity is as good for us as a company, as it is for those we help out”
Keeping true to the company’s social mission and the belief that there’s more to business that the bottom line, over 200 Ben & Jerry’s franchisees, managers, staff and friends gathered on Friday to help rehabilitate two separate underserved recreational areas for children while in the Bahamas for their annual Global Franchise Meeting...

Vermont Ice Cream Maker’s Award-Winning Flavor That Started It All
BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Everybody knows the outlandish combination of chunks and swirls that put Ben & Jerry’s on the map over 30 years ago but few people correctly guess the first flavor the two real guys ever churned out. Mint with chocolate cookies? Cherry Garcia? Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough? The answer may surprise you.
“It’s that homemade quality that we’re most proud of.”
Co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield knew there needed to be a creamy, delicious ice cream that could stand on its own before adding any chunks and swirls. Since 1978 the duo stirred up every imaginable flavor combination – many that had never been tried before...

Legendary Schweddy Balls Sketch Inspires Limited Batch Flavor as Thank You to SNL for 37 Years of Laughter in Advance of Season Premiere

BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To celebrate the talented writers, crew and actors behind arguably television's funniest television program, today, Ben & Jerry's launched its newest limited-batch flavor, Schweddy Balls. The flavor is an ode to the classic "Saturday Night Live" sketch [viewable at www.benjerry.com] starring Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon, as hosts of the "Delicious Dish," a National Public Radio program parody, along with Alec Baldwin as Pete Schweddy, the fictional owner of Season's Eatings Bakery.

The legendary actor, comedian, and perennial favorite SNL host appreciates keeping the laughs going...

Social Media Provides Beantown Hopefuls a Chance to Determine Where Summer Stops Occur BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Commonwealth, come armed with a Patriot's appetite. Sure Ben & Jerry's, the progressive ice cream company that has built its notoriety on super premium quality ice cream containing big swirls and chunks, with a solid foundation of activism at its core, is bringing free scoops of Ben & Jerry's to Boston. And what's more Boston than taking it to the streets…(and perhaps getting stuck in the traffic circles)?

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Truck will tour Boston from August 1st through August 28th attending community events and visiting non-profits. While giving away ice cream is nothing new for the irreverent ice cream maker, what is unique is that the good people of Boston can help direct where the truck will go simply by plugging into the tour via Twitter and Facebook...

BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Summertime is here, folks! As July sneaks up on us it brings along an annual occasion that gives many an excuse to treat themselves: National Ice Cream Month. Hmmm…a month long, all-encompassing ice cream celebration during one of the hottest months of the year? It must have been Albert Einstein who came up with that idea!

We're thankful for the brilliant thinker- Albert Einstein or not- who created this month-long holiday, and to the heat of the July sun for making the holiday so appropriate. So look out beaches and backyard barbeques! Ben & Jerry's is bringing the funk and the noise as its version of rolling thunder appears in Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops across the country – and on the shelves of your local retailer in pints...

Social Media Provides San Fran Hopefuls a Chance to Determine Where Summer Give-Aways Occur SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Holy Cow becomes Holy Roller! Sure Ben & Jerry's, the progressive ice cream company that has built its notoriety on super premium quality ice cream containing big swirls and chunks, with a solid foundation of activism at its core, is bringing free scoops of Ben & Jerry's to San Francisco. And what's more San Francisco than taking it to the streets?

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Truck will tour San Francisco from June 20th through July 29th attending community events, non-profits, and even battling a few other local food trucks to help build awareness and raise support for a local food shelf. While giving away ice cream is nothing new for the irreverent ice cream maker, what is unique is that the good people of San Francisco can help direct where the truck will go simply by plugging into the tour via Twitter and Facebook...

Social Media Provides NYC Hopefuls a Chance to Determine Where Summer Give-Aways Occur NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Holy Cow becomes Holy Roller! Sure Ben & Jerry's, the progressive ice cream company that has built its notoriety on super premium quality ice cream containing big swirls and chunks, with a solid foundation of activism at its core, is bringing free scoops of Ben & Jerry's to New York City, while supplies last. And what's more New York than taking it to the streets?

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Truck will tour New York City from June 17th through July 29th attending community events, non-profits, and even battling a few other local food trucks to help build awareness and raise support for a local food shelf. Some of the truck's scheduled stops in NYC include Macy's Fireworks on the 4th of July, Pridefest, Grand Central Station, the Cake Boss "Line" in Hoboken and visits to NYC fire stations every Friday...

Social Media Provides LA Hopefuls a Chance to Determine Where Summer Give-Aways Occur LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Holy Cow becomes Holy Roller! Sure Ben & Jerry's, the progressive ice cream company that has built its notoriety on superpremium quality ice cream containing big swirls and chunks, with a solid foundation of activism at its core, is bringing free scoops of Ben & Jerry's to Los Angeles. And what's more LA than taking it to the streets?

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Truck will tour Los Angeles from May 2nd through June 10th attending community events, non-profits, and even battling a few other local food trucks to help build awareness and raise support for a local food shelf. While giving away ice cream is nothing new for the irreverent ice cream maker, what is unique is that the good people of Los Angeles can help direct where the truck will go simply by plugging into the tour via Twitter and Facebook...

FairTweets.com Social Media Campaign Communicates Fair Trade Value to the Masses BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- How can an ice cream maker use social media to help provide farmers a fair income across the globe? Ben & Jerry's, the first ice cream company to use Fair Trade certified ingredients, is taking on the challenge in an innovative manner. The Fair Tweets program is a simple and easy interface for Twitter followers to donate their unused social media space to support Fair Trade messaging.

It's no surprise as Ben & Jerry's was the first composite, major consumer goods product to commit to going through every single item in their ingredient deck to change all they could to Fair Trade. So the natural next step was how to share the values of Fair Trade with a larger audience...

Responsibly Constructed Pints Promote Environmental Stewardship BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Well known for its values-led sourcing, Ben & Jerry's has talked with its fans about the company's use of cage-free eggs, no added hormones in its dairy, and Fair Trade Certified ingredients. But did you know that the paper pint container itself that holds Vermont's Finest is also responsibly sourced? That's right: it's not just what's inside the pint, but also what is the pint that is important.

This Earth Day, Ben & Jerry's is saluting environmentally-friendly companies who endorse and practice environmental stewardship.

"Our social mission has driven our values-led sourcing," said Andrea Asch, Natural Resources Manager...

New Flavors, More Fair Trade Certified Ingredients and New Free Cone Day App Highlight Annual Give-Away to Say "Thanks" BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- You don't need to search for it online. It's true. Ben & Jerry's gives away free ice cream! The annual event is a way to say thanks to those who have supported the company since the beginning. To continue the tradition, Ben & Jerry's outlets across the globe will open their doors from noon – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12 to serve up the newest, super-premium quality and values-led flavors featuring even more Fair Trade certified ingredients than ever before.

This year's newest flavors being offered in Scoop Shops include:

Late Night Snack inspired by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – Vanilla Bean Ice Cream made with Fair Trade certified vanilla, a Salty Caramel Swirl & Fudge Covered Potato Chip Clusters (the fudge uses Fair Trade certified cocoa, too)!

Bonnaroo Buzz - Light Coffee & Malt ice creams with Whiskey Caramel swirls & English Toffee pieces...

Ben & Jerry's Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation BURLINGTON, Vt.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- If you're a chunk spelunker who has taken the time to dig out the ooey-gooey, oh-so-doughy cookie dough gobs in a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, you are not alone. Whether you dig in secret so no one can steal your gobs, dig as soon as you get home from the grocery store with your newly-purchased pint – hey, we've been there! – or cheer your friends and family on as they dig, you're one of many who enjoys the delicious chunks. This March, Ben & Jerry's salutes all of you spelunkers as it celebrates Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough's 20th Birthday.

Just over 20 years ago, scoopers at Ben & Jerry's scoop shops – acting on an anonymous tip from a fan – posed this classic question: what if they put cookie dough into ice cream? It was a revolutionary idea in the world of ice cream at that time, and one that would become one of Ben & Jerry's best-loved flavors!

Peter Lind, a longtime Ben & Jerry's Flavor Guru, was one of the Gurus who worked to develop the flavor...

NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Joins With Popular Ice Cream Brand for Unique New Flavor Inspired by "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" Skit "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" airs Monday - Friday on NBC (12:35 a.m. ET) NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group and "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" are teaming with iconic ice cream company Ben & Jerry's to introduce the new flavor entitled "Late Night Snack." The unique new flavor features a rich vanilla bean ice cream with a salty caramel swirl and crunchy fudge covered potato chip clusters – the perfect mix of salt and sweet for a late night snack. The concoction was inspired by a "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" skit in which Fallon and house band The Roots performed an original song, "Ladysmith Snack Mambazo," about Ben & Jerry's ice cream...

Festival Flavor Scores High on the Charts and Becomes Newest Pint BURLINGTON, Vt. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As the promoters of one of the world's biggest, modern day rock and roll concert event unleashed their powerhouse 2011 line up today, there was one act guaranteed to go back to the show in Tennessee in a bigger and bolder way: Ben & Jerry's Bonnaroo Buzz ice cream. The flavor, which was available only in Scoop Shops in 2010, is set to make its national debut on the main stage of frozen foods freezers across the country as Ben & Jerry's has selected it to be one of its prestigious pint flavors for 2011.

"Bonnaroo Buzz is going from playing intimate clubs to the national circuit" "Bonnaroo Buzz is going from playing intimate clubs to the national circuit," said Marketing Director Dave Stever about the flavor made with Fair Trade Certified coffee...