Breyers, the iconic ice cream brand founded in Philadelphia nearly 160 years ago by William Breyer, may soon be sold or spun off by its parent company, Unilever. The brand, which has evolved from hand-churning ice cream to being part of an $18.4 billion ice cream unit, is facing sluggish market conditions, prompting Unilever to consider divestment options.

Hein Schumacher, Unilever's CEO, is navigating a challenging environment for this potential sale. Meanwhile, PAI Partners, a private equity firm, is looking to sell or float its 50 percent stake in Froneri, the world's second-largest ice cream company, which is perceived as more innovative and better managed than Unilever's offerings.

Chirag Pandya, a partner at McKinsey & Co., commented on the situation, noting that Froneri presents a more attractive investment opportunity due to its potential for expansion into new markets and channels. In contrast, Unilever's global presence may limit its growth prospects.

Despite these challenges, Unilever maintains a significant position in the ice cream market, holding about 20% of the global share and owning three of the top five ice cream brands. The potential sale of Breyers reflects broader trends in the food and beverage industry, where companies are reassessing their portfolios in response to market dynamics.

For further details on the potential sale of Breyers, readers can refer to Bloomberg's coverage.