NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2007--Ben & Jerry's brought its 2007 Global Franchise Community Gathering to New Orleans, to help the city continue rebuilding from the devastation of Katrina. The annual meeting was originally planned for Orlando, Florida, but was moved to New Orleans to fulfill Ben & Jerry's Social Mission. Scoop Shop owners from around the country and the world met to exchange ideas, discuss operations, sharpen their plans for 2007 and put on their work clothes for a full day of helping to rebuild New Orleans. Annual franchise awards were handed out at the conclusion of the conference for top franchise operations.

"We intentionally moved our annual meeting to New Orleans," said Will Patten, Senior Director of Retail Operations. "We knew we could invest the money we spend on this annual event in a community that really needs it. It's another way to reinforce our Social Mission with our actions."

Rebuilding New Orleans

To activate Ben & Jerry's Social Mission, the entire franchise gathering volunteered one full day of the annual conference to work with Habitat for Humanity in the "Musicians Village" of New Orleans' Ninth Ward. This amounted to over 1,250 community service hours donated by the conference attendees. The franchisees, along with company management and staff, worked on various jobs from framing and flooring, to roofing and siding. The day culminated with an additional donation from the Ben & Jerry's franchise community to Habitat for Humanity of $30,000. Co-Founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield were on hand to thank the franchisees for their hard work and for bringing the meeting-on-a-mission to New Orleans.

New Director of Retail Operations

The meeting featured several announcements and awards. Ben & Jerry's introduced Debra Heintz as the incoming Director of Retail Operations. Heintz has held various positions of increasing responsibility with Ben & Jerry's since starting with the company in 1994. Heintz brings to the job extensive experience in business strategy, general management, operations management and distribution. Heintz replaces Will Patten who is retiring March 3, 2007. Heintz officially took over the reigns February 1, 2007.

Will Patten started with Ben & Jerry's in 1985 by opening the 12th Scoop Shop in the franchise system that now has 600 scoop shops in sixteen countries. Patten eventually joined the parent company and worked his way up to the top spot in Retail Operations. Patten was recognized at the conference for his significant contributions to Ben & Jerry's throughout his career.

Franchise Awards

The most prestigious annual award for best overall franchise operation went to Jason Sweeney, with three scoop shops in Boston, MA. The Social Mission award went to Mark Livingston in St. Louis, MO, owner of four scoop shops. The Marketers of the Year award went to Geoff Wilson, Pete Zimek and Jennifer Zimek, owners of two scoop shops in Gainesville, FL. The Lifetime Achievement award went to long-time franchisee Frank Salzman of Williamsburg, VA.

The conference took place from January 12 - 15, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. For more information, please contact Sean Greenwood at 802-846-1500.

About Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using dairy products from a Vermont dairy cooperative and high-quality ingredients. The company is committed to using milk and cream from cows that have not been treated with the synthetic hormone rBGH, and states its position on rBGH on its labels. Ben and Jerry's products are distributed nationwide and in selected
foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues.

Ben & Jerry's, a wholly-owned autonomous subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part mission statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community.

Ben & Jerry's contributes a minimum of $1.1 million annually through corporate philanthropy that is primarily employee led. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry's philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities. For the full scoop on all Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop locations and fabulous flavors, visit www.benjerry.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry's

Ben & Jerry’s produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and ice cream novelties, using high-quality ingredients including milk and cream from family farmers who do not treat their cows with the synthetic hormone rBGH. The company states its position on rBGH on its labels. Ben and Jerry’s products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchise Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, economic reward and a commitment to the community. Ben & Jerry’s contributes a minimum of $1.1 million annually through corporate philanthropy that is primarily employee led. Contributions made via the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation in 2006 totaled almost $1.6 million. Additionally, the company makes significant product donations to community groups and nonprofits both in Vermont and across the nation. The purpose of Ben & Jerry’s philanthropy is to support the founding values of the company: economic and social justice, environmental restoration and peace through understanding, and to support our Vermont communities. For the full scoop on all Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop locations and fabulous flavors, visit www.benjerry.com.

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