Who Owns Wall's?
Wall's is owned by Unilever, a British-Dutch multinational consumer goods company. The brand was founded in 1922 and operates as a wholly-owned brand within Unilever's ice cream division. Unilever is publicly traded and headquartered in London, UK and Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Parent Company
Unilever plc
Acquired
1967
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
London, UK & Rotterdam, Netherlands
Who Owns Wall's?
- Parent Company: Unilever plc
- Ownership Type: Acquired
- Acquisition Year: 1967
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: LSE: ULVR
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wall's | Unilever plc | Acquired |
History of Wall's
- Founded: 1922
- Founders: Thomas Wall
- Acquired by Unilever plc: 1967
Wall's history begins with Thomas Wall, who inherited a sausage and pork products business from his father in London in the early 20th century. The Wall's meat business was highly seasonal, with strong sales in winter but weak sales in summer. Thomas Wall II, who ran the business in the 1920s, recognized the need to find a summer product to keep his workforce employed year-round.
In 1922, Wall's began producing ice cream as a summer product to complement its winter sausage business. The company initially sold ice cream from tricycles with the famous slogan "Stop Me and Buy One," which became one of the most recognizable advertising slogans in British history. The tricycle-based distribution model was innovative and effective, bringing ice cream directly to consumers on the street.
Wall's ice cream became enormously popular in Britain through the 1920s and 1930s. The brand expanded its product range and distribution, becoming one of the most recognized ice cream brands in the United Kingdom. The Wall's ice cream van, which succeeded the tricycle, became an iconic part of British summer culture.
In 1922, the Wall's business was acquired by MacFisheries, a food company, and subsequently came under the control of Lever Brothers (later Unilever). Unilever fully integrated Wall's into its ice cream operations in 1967, making it a core brand within Unilever's growing ice cream portfolio.
Under Unilever's ownership, Wall's expanded significantly beyond the United Kingdom. The Wall's brand was used as an umbrella brand for Unilever's ice cream products in many Asian markets, including China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Southeast Asian countries. In these markets, Wall's operates as a mass-market ice cream brand rather than the premium positioning it holds in the UK.
Wall's product portfolio includes iconic British ice cream products such as Cornetto (the chocolate-coated cone), Twister (a fruit-flavored ice lolly), Feast (a chocolate ice cream bar), and Calippo (a fruit ice lolly). These products have become staples of British summer culture and are recognized across multiple generations of consumers.
As part of Unilever's announced separation of its ice cream business in 2024, Wall's will become part of a new independent ice cream company alongside Magnum, Ben & Jerry's, and other Unilever ice cream brands. This transition was expected to be completed in 2025.
About Unilever plc
What does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing (Dove, Vaseline, TRESemme, Pond's), Personal Care (Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lux, Lifebuoy, Close Up), Home Care (Domestos, Cif, Surf, Omo, Comfort), and Nutrition (Knorr, Hellmann's, Lipton, Marmite). Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever no longer owns Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, or Breyers. The company also owns approximately 61% of Hindustan Unilever Limited, a publicly listed subsidiary in India.
Is Unilever publicly traded?
Yes, Unilever plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under ticker ULVR and on Euronext Amsterdam under ticker UNA. American Depositary Receipts are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker UL. The company does not have a controlling shareholder, and its shares are held primarily by institutional investors. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom.
Who founded Unilever?
Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of Lever Brothers, a British soap company founded by William Hesketh Lever in 1885, and Margarine Unie, a Dutch margarine producer formed through the merger of the Jurgens and Van den Bergh companies in 1927. The founders of the predecessor companies include William Lever, James Darcy Lever, Antonius Johannes Jurgens, and Samuel van den Bergh.
Where is Unilever headquartered?
Unilever is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company's registered office and principal executive offices are located in London. Unilever simplified its dual-listed structure in 2020, consolidating its legal headquarters in the United Kingdom and ending the separate Unilever N.V. Dutch entity. The company's shares continue to trade on both the London Stock Exchange and Euronext Amsterdam.
How many brands does Unilever own?
Unilever owns a portfolio of over 400 brands across four business groups: Beauty and Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, and Nutrition. The company's largest brands by revenue include Dove, Hellmann's, Knorr, Axe/Lynx, Rexona/Sure, Lipton, Vaseline, Domestos, and Cif. Following the 2025 demerger of its Ice Cream business, Unilever's portfolio no longer includes ice cream brands such as Magnum, Walls, Ben & Jerry's, and Breyers.
Who owns Unilever?
Unilever plc is a publicly traded company with no controlling shareholder. The company's shares are held primarily by institutional investors including major asset managers and index funds. No single shareholder holds a majority stake in Unilever. Fernando Fernandez serves as CEO, having been appointed in March 2025 following the departure of Hein Schumacher. The company's board includes a majority of independent non-executive directors.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: LSE: ULVR
Where Is Wall's Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, UK & Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Australia, China
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Wall's Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Iconic ice cream brand with 100+ year heritage
- +Distinctive ice cream van distribution model
- +Backed by Unilever's extensive research and development
- +Global distribution through Unilever's retail networks
- +Strong brand recognition and consumer loyalty
- +Continuous innovation in product formats and flavors
Considerations
- -Competition from other ice cream brands and premium alternatives
- -Dependency on Unilever's supply chain and corporate priorities
- -Environmental concerns regarding packaging and dairy sourcing
- -Sustainability questions about ingredient sourcing and production
- -Changing consumer preferences toward healthier frozen treats
Frequently Asked Questions About Wall's
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