What entities does Ben Jerrys rely on for management, administrative, and operational support?

According to Ben Jerrys's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Ben Jerrys relies on Unilever and Homemade to provide management, administrative, and operational support. Homemade refers to Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., which is the Parent company. Unilever refers to Unilever, N.V. of Rotterdam and Unilever, PLC of London. These entities provide support to Ben Jerrys.

For a prospective franchisee, this reliance means that some of the key functions necessary to run the Ben Jerrys franchise system are outsourced to these larger corporations. While Ben Jerrys Franchising, Inc. is the direct franchisor, it depends on its parent companies for essential services. This arrangement is not uncommon in franchising, especially when the franchise brand is part of a larger corporate group.

It's important for a potential Ben Jerrys franchisee to understand the roles and responsibilities of each of these supporting entities. Specifically, a franchisee may want to ask Ben Jerrys about the specific types of management, administrative, and operational support that Unilever and Homemade provide. Understanding this division of labor can help a franchisee anticipate how decisions are made and how support is delivered. Additionally, the franchisee should confirm that Homemade has the ability to support Ben Jerrys's operations through April 30, 2026.