Chobani
| File:Chobani logo.svg Logo used since 2012 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food processing, dairy |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Hamdi Ulukaya |
| Headquarters | Norwich, New York , United States |
Area served | United States, Australia, Asia, Latin America, Caribbean |
Key people | Hamdi Ulukaya (CEO), Jody Macedonio (CFO) |
| Products | Greek yogurt, plant-based yogurts, oat milk, yogurt-based sauces, iced coffee, nutritional shakes, probiotic yogurts and beverages |
Number of employees | 2000+ |
| Parent | None |
| Website | www |
Chobani is a U.S.-based food enterprise that focuses on strained yogurt. Established in 2005 by Turkish entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya, the company played a pivotal role in introducing thick, protein-rich Greek yogurt to American consumers. Over time, Chobani diversified its offerings to include plant-based, non-dairy products such as vegan yogurts and oat milk, alongside a variety of Greek yogurt items and snack options.
From less than 1% market share in 2007, Chobani's presence in the U.S. expanded significantly to exceed 20% by 2021, positioning it as the leading Greek yogurt brand and operator of the largest yogurt production facility worldwide. Demonstrating its commitment to employee involvement, the company allocated a 10% ownership share to its workforce in April 2016.
In December 2023, Chobani made a strategic move into the cold coffee market by acquiring La Colombe Coffee Roasters for $900 million, broadening its international reach and product range.
The leadership team includes CEO Hamdi Ulukaya and CFO Jody Macedonio. Headquartered in Norwich, New York, Chobani employs over 2,000 individuals and continues to strengthen its competitive edge through innovation and strategic management within the dairy sector.
Establishment and early years
Founded in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish Kurd businessman, Chobani’s name originates from the Greek word chopani, which means "shepherd". Drawing inspiration from his upbringing involving sheep herding and cheese making, Ulukaya aimed to enhance yogurt offerings in the United States. Collaborating with a Turkish yogurt expert, he developed a distinctive strained yogurt formula after experimenting with numerous variations to perfect flavor, texture, and shelf stability. This style of yogurt is characterized by its creaminess, thickness, tanginess, and elevated protein content due to whey extraction.
Ulukaya purchased a shuttered Kraft Foods factory located in South Edmeston, New York, securing financing through a Small Business Administration loan. He employed former Kraft personnel and officially launched Chobani in 2007. By 2009, prominent grocery chains including Stop & Shop and ShopRite began carrying the brand, with weekly sales reaching approximately 200,000 cases. Later that year, warehouse retailers BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco started offering Chobani products, further expanding its market reach.
The year 2010 marked significant growth as Chobani exceeded $1 billion in annual revenue and established itself as the foremost Greek yogurt brand in the U.S., driven by a strong focus on product quality and strategic market entry.
Later history and expansion
In November 2011, Chobani entered the Australian market by acquiring Bead Foods, a dairy company based in Victoria. The firm invested $30 million to enlarge its Dandenong South plant, commencing production there in December 2012. The following year saw the opening of Chobani’s second manufacturing site in Twin Falls, Idaho, which became the world’s largest yogurt facility following a $750 million investment. This expansion generated around 7,000 jobs and contributed substantially to reducing local unemployment rates. Additionally, July 2012 witnessed the debut of Chobani’s first physical cafe located in SoHo, New York City.
Building on its success in Australia, Chobani expanded into Asian and Latin American territories starting in 2014 with launches in Singapore, Malaysia, and Panama while planning further growth into Caribbean markets. In April of that year, private equity firm TPG injected $750 million to fuel global expansion initiatives and new product development. That same year introduced innovations such as Chobani Oats—a combination of Greek yogurt with steel-cut oats and fruit—alongside seasonal varieties including watermelon and pink grapefruit flavors, a dessert-style indulgent yogurt line, and a plain Greek yogurt containing 4% fat. The company further broadened its footprint by entering Mexico in August 2016.
By 2017, Chobani overtook Yoplait as the second-largest yogurt producer in the United States. The company announced a $20 million enlargement of its Twin Falls facility to add a 70,000-square-foot building dedicated to global research and development efforts. At its inception Greek yogurt accounted for less than 1% of U.S. sales; by 2017 it represented half of all yogurt purchases nationwide.
In December 2020, Jody Macedonio—previously finance chief at 8th Avenue Food & Provisions—was appointed Chief Financial Officer to support continued growth.
Chobani filed for an initial public offering (IPO) in July 2021 targeting a valuation above $10 billion but retracted these plans in September 2022 due to unfavorable market conditions.
Products
Chobani's original range of yogurt flavors featured plain, vanilla, strawberry, peach, and blueberry varieties. Over time, the company broadened its portfolio to include yogurt-based sauces, organic oat beverages made from plants, and dairy products created through its yogurt production process. The product assortment further extends to four different iced coffee variants, nutritional shakes, as well as probiotic yogurts and beverages. Chobani's products are also served in dining chains such as Tim Hortons.
Employees
Approximately 30% of Chobani’s staff consists of refugees and immigrants, highlighting the company’s commitment to an inclusive workforce. In 2016, following the public disclosure of its refugee hiring policies, Chobani encountered calls for boycotts and threats. That same year, the company allocated 10% ownership stakes to employees based on their length of service, significantly enhancing employee financial participation. Additionally, Chobani introduced six weeks of paid parental leave in 2016 and increased hourly wages for 70% of its employees from $13 to a minimum of $15 by 2021, reflecting a strategic focus on employee welfare and retention.
Philanthropy
Since its inception, Chobani has actively contributed to philanthropic efforts aimed at improving childhood nutrition, supporting communities near its manufacturing sites in New York and Idaho, and aiding disaster relief initiatives throughout the United States. The company has provided grants to foster economic development and responded to significant disasters with product donations.
In 2018, CEO Hamdi Ulukaya announced on national platforms that Chobani marked its 10th year as a national brand by distributing yogurt to every American. That year also saw a partnership with the nonprofit Operation Homefront to raise $1 million for military families; Chobani donated $500,000 and matched additional funds generated from sales of "Hero Batch" yogurt created by veteran employees.
In 2019, Ulukaya committed to clearing student lunch debts in Warwick school district, Rhode Island, encouraging other corporations to engage in combating food insecurity. Later that year, Chobani launched "Farmer Batch," a special edition product that donates part of its proceeds to support the American Farmland Trust.
Sponsorships
Chobani became an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team in 2012 and debuted its first national advertisement during the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, significantly boosting brand exposure on an international scale.
Chobani Incubator
Hamdi Ulukaya founded the Chobani Food Incubator in 2016 to assist food and beverage startups by providing nonequity funding, mentorship opportunities, and essential resources—aligning with the company’s strategy to promote innovation within the industry. The incubator expanded in 2018 with the introduction of the Food Tech Residency program designed to tackle supply chain obstacles for enhanced product distribution.
Prominent startups supported include Banza, Misfit Juicery, Chloe's Fruit, Pique Tea Crystals, NOKA, MatchaBar, and Ithaca Cold-Craftede—all benefiting from Chobani’s leadership and industry expertise.
In November 2019, Chobani initiated a Vets Cohort in collaboration with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, focusing on veteran entrepreneurs in the food sector to foster business development and social impact.
Legal concerns and product withdrawals
In 2013, a court ruling in England and Wales compelled Chobani to revise its yogurt packaging, as the phrase "Greek yoghurt" was deemed to mislead consumers into believing the product originated from Greece, thereby influencing its positioning within the UK market.
On September 3, 2013, Chobani proactively removed certain Greek-style yogurt items from retail shelves following complaints of swelling or bloating in the containers, attributed to a widespread dairy mold. Collaborating with the FDA, the company initiated a recall on September 5. By September 9, the FDA had documented at least 89 illness reports connected to the yogurt, which affected Chobani’s brand image and necessitated adjustments in its operational response.