Unilever and Starbucks Team Up Over Ice Cream

Starbucks Coffee Company and Unilever announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Starbucks ice cream in the United States and Canada last month. The agreement leverages Starbucks coffee expertise and passion for innovation, and Unilever's capabilities as a global manufacturer and marketer of ice cream, strengthening the companies' super-premium positions in the more than $17-billion ice cream category in the United States and Canada.

"Unilever's industry-leading innovation and commitment to social responsibility with brands like Ben & Jerry's are well-aligned with our values and vision for the business," says Gerry Lopez, president, Starbucks Global Consumer Products, Starbucks Foodservice and Seattle's Best Coffee. "This relationship will enable us to introduce exciting new products and extend the Starbucks experience to a larger base of consumers."

In addition to Ben & Jerry's, Unilever's iconic ice cream brands in North America include Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike and Popsicle. For Starbucks ice cream, Unilever will employ its research and development and creative resources to produce super-premium ice cream innovations inspired by Starbucks coffee and classic coffeehouse flavors.

"Ice cream is a core strategic category for Unilever, generating more than $6 billion in annual sales for us globally," says Peter Ter Kulve, Unilever senior vice president, Global Ice Cream. "Starbucks is recognized around the world for its high-quality coffee and innovative approach to products, and thus Starbucks-branded super-premium ice cream is a perfect complement to our portfolio. We look forward to working together to deliver a signature and unparalleled frozen dessert experience to consumers."