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Ben & Jerry’s explores deal with KKR executive to separate ice cream brand from owner, WSJ reports

By Thomson Reuters Oct 26, 2026 | 2:57 PM

Oct 26 (Reuters) – Ben & Jerry’s founders are exploring a deal with ​an executive from ‌KKR to separate their brand from its current owner, the Wall Street Journal ‌reported ​on Monday.

The ⁠ice cream brand ⁠is owned by Unilever spin-off Magnum.

KKR’s global co-head of private equity, Pete ​Stavros, has been discussing a deal ⁠with the ⁠co-founders to carve out ​the business and structure ​under an employee stock-ownership plan, ‌WSJ said, citing Stavros and Ben & Jerry’s co founder Ben ⁠Cohen.

The structure would give rank-and-file employees stock while providing the ⁠company ‌with tax benefits, ⁠the report added.

Magnum, ​KKR, ‌and Ben and ​Jerry’s did ⁠not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

(Reporting by Vallari Srivastava in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh ​Kuber)