Ben and Jerry

Ben and Jerry homemade ice cream was founded in 1978 by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield who would have never thought that their small operation would turn into a multi-million dollar business over the course of few years. By the beginning of 2000, the company had more than 170 stores across the united stated and oversees. To raise some capital, Ben and Jerry issues 75,000 shares exclusively to Vermont resident. It was in done in away to give back to the community that supported then since day one. This kind of mentality was part of the mission statement and the social consciousness that the company decided to abide by.

In its mission statement, the company would make the finest quality products made solely from Vermont dairy products. It will ensure sound financial basis of profitable growth while focusing on the social responsibility. Part of the social responsibility that the company decides to abide by, was to keep prices low while delivering high quality products. These two conditions did not always work in harmony and for many reasons. In addition, the company also decided to donate 7.5 percent of pretax profits to charity. Although that may be commendable, and could be viewed but many people as the right thing to do, the program will rapidly lose its luster when the company fails to deliver reasonable results to its long-term investors. After all, the right thing to do and the number one responsibility of the CEO and the board is to maximize the value for the shareholders.

Some of the issues that company was also dealing with are competition and distribution. Haagen Dazs is the main competitor for the Ben