Everyone loves the occasional Ice-cream treat and how can you resist the creamy texture and numerous irresistible flavours of the world famous ice-cream ‘Ben and Jerry’s”
Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were childhood friends born four days apart in Brooklyn, New York, in 1951. You could say that ice cream runs in their veins. During his senior year of high school, Ben drove an ice cream truck and Jerry worked as an ice cream scooper in the school’s cafeteria. After college setbacks, the pair decided to go into the food business together.
At first the pair thought about making bagels but decided the necessary equipment was too expensive and instead, they settled on ice cream. They decided Burlington, Vt., was an ideal location for a scoop shop because it was a college town without an ice cream parlor. They took a $5 course on ice-cream making and in 1978 opened the first Ben & Jerry’s in a converted Burlington gas station.
The original scoop shop became a community favourite thanks to its rich ice cream and creative flavours. Ben and Jerry also made it a point to connect with the community, hosting a free film festival and giving away free scoops on the first anniversary of the store, a tradition that still continues. In 1980, the duo began making pints to sell to local grocers. In 1981, they expanded this operation.
Business increased significantly. In 1983, the company opened its first non-Vermont franchise in Maine, and signed a deal with a Boston distribution company. Signature flavours were unveiled during the 1980s – including New York Super Fudge Chunk and Cherry Garcia – and by 1987 sales were at $32 million. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan named Ben and Jerry the U.S. Small Business Persons of the Year, and by the year’s end the company was operating shops in 18 states.
From a $5 ice-cream making course to a $300 million ice-cream empire!
Jerry Greenfield – Changing The Bottom Line!
Article By: Charlene Barry | Addicted2Success.com
