Ben & Jerry's: the Inside Scoop

About the Author

Fred "Chico" Lager, the author of Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop, served as the CEO of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc. from 1982 to 1994. Lager's firsthand experience and intimate knowledge of the company's history provide readers with an in-depth look at the business strategies, challenges, and triumphs of the famous ice cream company. His unique perspective offers a comprehensive understanding of how Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield transformed their small venture into a globally recognized brand.

Main Idea

The book Ben & Jerry's: The Inside Scoop chronicles the inspiring journey of two childhood friends, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, as they build their ice cream empire. It explores their innovative business practices, commitment to social responsibility, and the challenges they overcame to establish one of the most beloved ice cream brands in the world.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: The Beginnings
• Chapter 2: Starting the Business
• Chapter 3: The Early Days
• Chapter 4: Growth and Expansion
• Chapter 5: Challenges and Innovations
• Chapter 6: Commitment to Social Responsibility
• Chapter 7: Achieving National Success
• Chapter 8: The Future of Ben & Jerry's

The Beginnings

Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield first met in a 7th grade gym class at Merrick Avenue Junior High School. Their bond was formed over a shared struggle with running the mile in gym class. This friendship laid the foundation for their future business partnership. Ben and Jerry both grew up with a passion for food and a knack for creativity. Despite their different academic paths—Jerry excelling in school and Ben focusing more on extracurricular activities—they maintained a close friendship that would eventually lead them to start a business together.

“Cohen, Greenfield, if you can’t do the mile in under seven minutes, you’re gonna have to do it again!” — Gym Coach

Starting the Business

In 1977, after several failed attempts at various careers, Ben and Jerry decided to go into business together. They initially considered starting a bagel delivery service but ultimately chose to make ice cream. With $12,000 in combined savings and a $5 correspondence course in ice cream making from Penn State, they embarked on their journey. They settled on Burlington, Vermont, a small college town, as the location for their ice cream shop.

Their first store was a renovated gas station, which they transformed into a cozy ice cream parlor with the help of friends and free ice cream offers. Their unique flavors and commitment to quality quickly won over the local community. The grand opening on May 5, 1978, was a modest affair, but it marked the beginning of a journey that would take them to national prominence.

Innovative Flavors and Quality Ingredients

Ben & Jerry's set itself apart with its commitment to high-quality ingredients and innovative flavors. Ben, who had a poor sense of taste, insisted on robust flavors and chunky ingredients to ensure the ice cream was enjoyable. This approach led to the creation of iconic flavors like Cherry Garcia and Chunky Monkey.