Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jerry Greenfield

Updated: May 9, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Jerry Greenfield made an impact.

Jerry Greenfield is an American businessman best known as the co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Alongside Ben Cohen, he built a small ice cream parlor into a nationally recognized brand known for its quirky flavors and socially conscious business practices. Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Greenfield is involved in philanthropy and activism, using his platform to advocate for various social and environmental causes. His career exemplifies a blend of business acumen and a commitment to making a positive impact on society.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1973: Failed to get into medical school

After graduating in 1973, Greenfield failed to get into medical school.

1977: Lived with Cohen in Saratoga Springs

During the summer of 1977, Jerry Greenfield lived with Ben Cohen in Saratoga Springs, New York. They considered opening a bagel shop before deciding on an ice cream store.

1977: Location search for ice cream parlor

In 1977, Greenfield and Cohen began looking for a location for their ice cream parlor, setting criteria that it should be a warm college town.

May 5, 1978: Ben & Jerry's parlor opened

On May 5, 1978, Ben & Jerry's parlor opened in a renovated gas station. The business experienced success throughout the summer, but struggled during the winter.

1978: Settled on Burlington, Vermont

In 1978, Jerry Greenfield and Ben Cohen settled on Burlington, Vermont, as the location for their Ben & Jerry's shop after realizing that every warm college town already had an ice cream shop.

1978: Ben & Jerry's opened

In the summer of 1978, Ben & Jerry's opened their first store in a former gas station in Burlington, Vermont.

1980: Moved to a Larger Facility

In 1980, after experiencing initial success in distributing their ice cream to restaurants throughout Vermont, the company moved to a larger facility and began packaging ice cream in pint size containers.

1984: Filed Suit Against Häagen-Dazs

In 1984, Häagen-Dazs tried to limit distribution of Ben & Jerry's in Boston, prompting Ben & Jerry's to file suit against Häagen-Dazs' parent company, Pillsbury, in its now famous "What's the Doughboy Afraid Of?" campaign.

1985: Director of Mobile Promotions

In 1985, Greenfield returned to Vermont and assumed the position of Director of Mobile Promotions at Ben & Jerry's.

1987: Filed Second Lawsuit Against Pillsbury Company

In 1987 Häagen-Dazs again tried to enforce exclusive distribution, and Ben & Jerry's filed its second lawsuit against the Pillsbury Company.

April 2000: Ben & Jerry's bought by Unilever

In April 2000, Ben & Jerry's was bought by the multinational food giant Unilever.

2000: Ben & Jerry's sold to Unilever

In 2000, Ben & Jerry's was sold to the British-Dutch corporation Unilever.

2021: Ben & Jerry's store count

As of 2021, Ben & Jerry's had 573 stores.

September 16, 2025: Jerry Greenfield Stepped Down from Ben and Jerry's

On September 16, 2025, Jerry Greenfield stepped down from Ben & Jerry's, stating he "can no longer in good conscience, and after 47 years, remain an employee of Ben and Jerry's." This came after Greenfield's contention that Unilever was "silencing" the company's social mission, thus violating conditions of the merger agreement. The company replied, "We disagree with his perspective and have sought to engage both co-founders in a constructive conversation on how to strengthen Ben & Jerry's powerful values-based position in the world."