Hello! As an expert in the field of business history, I can provide you with a detailed account of how Ben and Jerry's started out.

Ben and Jerry's was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield in Burlington, Vermont. The two childhood friends, who had no prior experience in the ice cream business, decided to go into the business after taking a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Pennsylvania State University. They were inspired by the idea of offering unique and high-quality ice cream flavors.

Initially, they opened a single ice cream parlor called "Scoop Shop" in an old gas station, investing a total of $12,000, which included money from family and friends. The business was named after the founders themselves, and they were known for their commitment to social and environmental causes, even from the very beginning.

Ben and Jerry's quickly gained popularity for its super-premium ice cream, which was characterized by its rich and dense texture, and for its innovative flavors, such as "Cherry Garcia" and "Karamel Sutra." The company was also known for its creative marketing and strong community ties.

In 1984, Ben and Jerry's introduced a line of lighter ice cream called "Light Ice," which was one of the first of its kind in the industry. The company continued to innovate and expand, eventually becoming a global brand.

In 2000, the company was acquired by the British-Dutch conglomerate Unilever, which allowed Ben and Jerry's to maintain its brand identity and commitment to social and environmental activism while benefiting from the resources of a multinational corporation.

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The year was 1978, and young besties Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield decided they wanted to start a company. They briefly considered bagels, but the equipment was too expensive, so they opted for opening an ice cream shop in a converted gas station in Vermont.read more >>