Companies Plan to Bring Ice Cream Innovations Inspired by Starbucks^® Coffee and Coffeehouse Flavors to Consumers in the U.S. and Canada

Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) and Unilever (NYSE:UN)(NYSE:UL) today announced an exclusive licensing agreement for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Starbucks^® ice cream in the U.S. and Canada. The agreement leverages Starbucks coffee expertise and passion for innovation and Unilever’s capabilities as the leading global manufacturer and marketer of ice cream, strengthening the companies’ super-premium positions in the more than $17 billion ice cream category in the U.S. 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,” said 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.”

Starbucks^® ice cream was first introduced in 1996, at which time it quickly became a leading brand of coffee ice cream in the U.S. Starbucks ice cream is made with only high-quality arabica coffee, purchased and roasted in accordance with Starbucks stringent standards. The company proudly offers a variety of other coffee-related products to consumers around the world through grocery, convenience and other retail channels. These products include bottled Starbucks Frappuccino^® beverages, Starbucks Doubleshot^® drinks, Starbucks Discoveries^® chilled cup coffees, Starbucks^™ Liqueurs, Starbucks^® Chocolate and a complete line of packaged coffees.

In addition to Ben & Jerry’s^®, Unilever’s iconic ice cream brands in North America include Breyers^®, Good Humor^®, Klondike^® and Popsicle^®.