Ben & Jerry’s explores deal with KKR executive to separate ice cream brand from owner, WSJ reports

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Ben & Jerry’s founders are exploring a deal with an executive from KKR to separate their brand from its current owner, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

The ice cream brand is owned by Unilever spin-off Magnum.

KKR’s global co-head of private equity, Pete Stavros, has been discussing a deal with the co-founders to carve out the business and structure under an employee stock-ownership plan, WSJ said, citing Stavros and Ben & Jerry’s co founder Ben Cohen.

The structure would give rank-and-file employees stock while providing the company with tax benefits, the report added.

Magnum, KKR, and Ben and Jerry’s did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.