What Happened to Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto?
Talenti, a premium gelato and sorbetto brand founded in 2003, quickly rose to prominence for its artisanal methods and unique flavors. After being acquired by Unilever in 2014, it continued to expand its product line and market presence. As of December 2025, Talenti became part of the newly divested ice cream company spun off from Unilever, continuing to innovate with new flavors and marketing campaigns into 2026.
Quick Answer
Talenti, originally founded in 2003, was acquired by Unilever in 2014 and became a leading premium gelato brand in the U.S. In a significant corporate restructuring, Unilever divested its entire ice cream portfolio, including Talenti, into a new, independent entity, which completed in December 2025. As of 2026, Talenti continues to operate under this new company, launching new flavors like Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Gelato and Paradise Passionfruit Sorbetto, and engaging in promotional activities, while some consumers have noted issues with its packaging.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Talenti Founded in Dallas, Texas
Josh Hochschuler opens the first Talenti gelateria in Dallas, Texas, basing recipes on traditional Argentine gelato-making methods.
Shift to Wholesale Distribution
The original gelateria closes, and Hochschuler refocuses the business on producing gelato for sale to restaurants, hotels, and eventually grocery stores, leading to significant growth.
Achieves $95 Million in Revenue
Talenti reports $95 million in revenue, establishing itself as a significant player in the premium ice cream market.
Acquired by Unilever
Unilever, a global consumer goods conglomerate, acquires Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, integrating the brand into its extensive ice cream portfolio.
Production Moves to Sikeston, Missouri
Talenti's production facilities are moved from Marietta, Georgia, to Unilever's central ice cream production facility in Sikeston, Missouri.
Unilever Announces Ice Cream Business Divestment
Unilever announces plans to spin off its ice cream division, including Talenti, Ben & Jerry's, and Magnum, into a standalone company.
Launches 'Raise the Jar' Campaign with Bradley Cooper
Talenti partners with Oscar-nominated actor and director Bradley Cooper for its new 'Raise the Jar' marketing campaign, highlighting its unique slow-cooking process and authentic recipes.
Partners with Tennis Star Emma Navarro
Talenti unveils a new 'High Pressure' campaign featuring professional tennis player Emma Navarro in the lead-up to the U.S. Open.
Unilever Completes Ice Cream Divestment
The spin-off of Unilever's ice cream brands, including Talenti, is completed, forming a new, independent company known as The Magnum Ice Cream Company.
Introduces New Flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch and Paradise Passionfruit
Talenti expands its portfolio with two new globally inspired flavors, Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Gelato and Paradise Passionfruit Sorbetto, available nationwide.
Official Gelato of the Cincinnati Open
Talenti is announced as the official gelato partner for the 2026 Cincinnati Open tennis tournament, offering samples to attendees.
Consumer Complaints About Jar Difficulty Highlighted
A New York Times article snippet and social media discussions highlight ongoing consumer frustrations with the difficulty of opening Talenti's signature plastic jars.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto began its journey in 2003 as a storefront gelateria in Dallas, Texas, founded by Josh Hochschuler. Hochschuler, inspired by traditional Argentine gelato-making, initially focused on selling to restaurants and hotels before shifting to grocery stores by 2005, a move that proved crucial for its growth. The brand quickly distinguished itself with its commitment to high-quality, globally sourced ingredients, slow-cooking process, and distinctive clear, reusable plastic jars.
By 2014, Talenti had become the best-selling packaged gelato in the United States, with an expected turnover exceeding $120 million that year. This success attracted the attention of global consumer goods giant Unilever, which acquired Talenti in December 2014. Under Unilever's ownership, Talenti maintained its artisanal approach while benefiting from Unilever's extensive distribution network and resources, further expanding its market reach and flavor portfolio. Production was centralized to Unilever's facility in Sikeston, Missouri, in 2017.
A major turning point occurred on March 19, 2024, when Unilever announced its decision to divest its entire ice cream business, including iconic brands like Ben & Jerry's, Magnum, and Talenti, to create a simpler, more focused company. This spin-off was completed in December 2025, establishing Talenti as part of a new, independent entity referred to as 'The Magnum Ice Cream Company'.
In 2026, Talenti remains an active and innovative brand. In February and March 2026, it launched two new globally inspired flavors: Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Gelato and Paradise Passionfruit Sorbetto, available nationwide. The brand also continued its marketing efforts, including a partnership with tennis star Emma Navarro in August 2025 for a 'High Pressure' campaign and being named the official gelato at the Cincinnati Open in July 2026. Despite its continued success, some consumers have recently expressed frustration with the difficulty of opening Talenti's signature plastic jars, a topic highlighted in August 2026. Talenti continues to be a leader in the premium gelato segment, contributing to a growing global gelato market.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto made different choices?