Though many of us consider ourselves Ben & Jerry’s superfans (and who can blame us, what with cereal-inspired flavors and their new genius pint slices), there’s some degree of insider knowledge that can only be gained by working behind the counter. Naturally, our curiosity got the best of us, and we asked a former employee to spill some of the company’s best-kept secrets.
This article originally appeared on RealSimple.com
1 There’s a Cone Replacement Policy You Need to Know About
We’ve all been there: you’re thoroughly enjoying your ice cream cone when suddenly the scoop falls smack dab on the ground. Typically, we chalk it up to bad luck, pout for a few minutes, and go on with our day. But at Ben & Jerry’s, they’ll give you a free replacement. That’s right: if you drop your ice cream cone on the ground, Ben & Jerry’s will replace it free of charge.
2 Never, Ever Order the Vermonster Sundae
Appropriately named after their headquarters in Vermont, this massive sundae—meant for sharing, of course—is comprised of 20 scoops of ice cream. Hungry groups of friends can choose between four to five flavors, topped with banana slices, chopped-up cookies and brownies, and drizzled with four servings of hot fudge or caramel. But it doesn’t stop there. The massive dessert is finished with ten spoonfuls of chopped walnuts, a swirl of whipped cream and two spoonfuls each of four toppings of the customer’s choice (think M&M’s, sprinkles, Oreo’s, etc). Why did our insider recommend avoiding it? It melts much too quickly for even a large group to finish. After about ten minutes, you’re left with a sticky mess—and wasted ice cream.
3 Employees Get a Lot of Free Ice Cream
The former employee we spoke with said he got an unlimited amount of free ice cream per shift. And though technically there might have been a more formal rule in place, it wasn’t enforced at his specific scoop shop. The company advertises on their website that all employees get to take home three pints per day, so either way, Ben & Jerry’s employees get a pretty sweet deal.