• September 16, 2008

Expanding on its relationship with Unilever, Starbucks has signed an exclusive deal with the Dutch company to make and distribute Starbucks ice cream in the U.S. and Canada.

The agreement leverages Starbucks coffee expertise and Unilever's capabilities as a leading global manufacturer and marketer of ice cream, say the companies, "strengthening the companies' super-premium positions in the more than $17 billion ice cream category in the U.S. and Canada."

Financial terms were not disclosed. Unilever currently markets Ben & Jerry's, Breyers, Good Humor, Klondike and Popsicle.

For Starbucks ice cream, introduced in 1996, Unilever will produce super-premium ice cream innovations inspired by Starbucks® coffee and classic coffeehouse flavors. Starbucks ice cream was first introduced in 1996. The company plans to position the ice cream as "super-premium" with classic coffeehouse flavors.

Already, Starbucks and Pepsi/Lipton Tea Partnership make, market and distribute Starbucks Tazo ready-to-drink beverages--a relationship announced last month. Pepsi/Lipton Tea is a joint venture between Unilever and PepsiCo.--Nina Lentini