Primo Partners recently became the first Black-owned franchisee group to be named Operator of the Year by Ben & Jerry’s.
According to a press release, Primo Partners is also the ice cream company’s largest franchise group, with only 10 Scoop Shops across six states, including North Carolina, Georgia and Texas.
The franchise is owned by three Black men—Phillip Scotton, Antonio McBroom, Eric Taylor and Josiah Fisher of Primo Partners. The trio says they are working hard to “dismantle” white supremacy.
In the last ten years, their franchises have bestowed thousands of scoops of ice cream to hundreds of organizations, including those concentrating on voting rights and changes to the criminal legal system. They are one of only two Black franchisees with Ben & Jerry’s.
“I moved from scooper to shift leader to shop manager,” Primo Partners CEO Antonio McBroom said in a statement. “Then I bought my first shop and I haven’t stopped. Primo Partners exists to create opportunities for historically marginalized people. That’s how we’re going to grow generational wealth in our community.”
“This award is such a blessing,” McBroom said. “I hope that Primo Partners being recognized in this way can serve as a testament for what is possible for others.”
Founded by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, Ben & Jerry’s is known for more than it’s bold flavors. The company has also heavily focused on social activism, including climate and racial justice, voting rights and campaign finance reform.
Last year, the brand released the new flavor, Change the Whirled, in partnership with Colin Kaepernick to benefit Know Your Rights Camp— developed to empower and educate a new generation of Black and Brown youth.
