Study Questions Case 3: Ben & Jerrys Homemade, Inc.

1. Ben & Jerrys (BNJ) mission statement has three dimensions. Using the facts of the case, how well has the company fulfilled each of them? Why did BNJ become a takeover target?

2. Who has the ultimate control of the assets of a publicly-traded company like BNJ? Is it the Board? Stockholders? Creditors? Something external to the company? Please explain.

3. What was the impact of the asset-control devices used by management and the state of Vermont? What other takeover defense strategies are commonly employed by public companies?

4. Complete the Excel template for the valuation of BNJ based on its peer companies multiples. Are the offer prices reasonable? Should the board accept one of the offers?

5. What actually happened to BNJ? Look it up!

Case Study in Finance managing for corporate value creation 7th edition Bruner Eades Schill