Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop Owners Strut Social Mission Stuff South of the Border

CANCUN, Mexico--(BUSINESS WIRE)--What to do when hundreds of Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop owners get together in Cancun for a little rest and relaxation? The answer was a no-brainer. The group seized an opportunity to show what the ice cream company is made of. So they painted, planted, cleaned, and fixed up a children's school in Puerto Morelos.

The small village, just south of Cancun, was the recipient of hundreds of eager hands which made light work of the sizable task. "What a great day," claimed Retail Operations Director, Debra Heintz whose shoulders showed a little sunburn, and whose shirt proved she was willing to jump in to clean and paint. "Every year we get together and have the opportunity to show our Social Mission commitment as a franchise family," Heintz added, as she returned her roller to the paint tray. The real payoff was when the hundreds of smiling students flooded the freshly refurbished school grounds equally thrilled with their new digs and the ice cream social that followed.

Ben & Jerry's 2008 Global Franchise Community Gathering began January 17 and will continue through January 20th at Cancun's Moon Palace Resort. The meeting brings together franchise owners from across the country and around the world.

“The setting is great, the days are packed and overall, very worthwhile," said Franchise Advisory Council Chairperson Mike Garrett. "I've been to many of these, and it's always a great chance to meet fellow franchisees from around the world to learn, and share what we do well in our own stores.”

During the conference, attendees discuss the company’s business priorities, strategic initiatives, and the latest developments of its mission. Multiple workshops are offered from marketing to managing, and cakes to catering. An awards banquet/costume party is scheduled for the last day of the conference.

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 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.