Chobani

Chobani is an American food company founded in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya and best known for its strained Greek-style yogurt. The company began after Ulukaya acquired a shuttered Kraft Foods yogurt plant in South Edmeston, New York, using financing from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Drawing on his childhood experience with dairy farming and cheese making in Turkey, Ulukaya developed a thick, tangy yogurt intended to offer more protein and a different texture from much of the yogurt then available in the United States. Chobani launched commercially in 2007 with plain, vanilla, strawberry, peach, and blueberry varieties. The brand grew rapidly as American consumers adopted Greek yogurt as a mainstream category. Distribution through Stop & Shop and ShopRite in 2009, followed by BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco, helped move Chobani from a regional product to a national brand. It expanded beyond conventional cups through products such as Chobani Flip mix-in yogurt, drinkable yogurt, oat-based products, zero-sugar offerings, probiotic products, nutritional shakes, iced coffee, and plant-based yogurt and oat beverages. Its brand proposition has generally combined recognizable ingredients, high protein, accessible premium positioning, and a positive social-purpose narrative. Chobani expanded its manufacturing footprint through an Australian acquisition and the construction of a major facility in Twin Falls, Idaho. It has described its workforce and community programs as central to its operating model, including refugee and immigrant employment, employee ownership, paid parental leave, food-insecurity initiatives, disaster assistance, and support for food entrepreneurs through the Chobani Food Incubator. In 2016, the company announced that employees would receive an ownership stake equivalent to 10 percent of the company, with allocations based partly on tenure. The company has also faced challenges. A 2013 product recall followed reports of swelling containers and illnesses associated with some yogurt products, with the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigating contamination by mold. In the United Kingdom, Chobani was required to change labeling after a court found that describing products as Greek yogurt could mislead consumers about their geographic origin. The company filed for a potential public offering in 2021 but withdrew the plan in 2022, citing unfavorable market conditions. In 2023, Chobani entered cold coffee through its acquisition of La Colombe Coffee Roasters. Chobani remains privately held and continues to operate primarily as a dairy, plant-based beverage, and packaged-food business.

Chobani was established in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, a Turkish immigrant and entrepreneur who had arrived in the United States in 1994. His interest in yogurt was influenced by childhood experience raising sheep and goats and making dairy products with his family. Dissatisfied with the yogurt selection available in the United States, Ulukaya experimented with strained yogurt and worked with an experienced yogurt maker to develop a recipe with a dense texture, tangy flavor, and practical shelf life. Ulukaya purchased a former Kraft Foods yogurt plant in South Edmeston, New York, which was scheduled to close. He financed the acquisition in part with a Small Business Administration loan and hired a number of former plant employees. The Chobani brand entered stores in 2007. Its initial flavors included plain, vanilla, strawberry, peach, and blueberry. Early growth accelerated when regional supermarket chains began carrying the products in 2009, followed by warehouse retailers such as BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco. These distribution gains helped establish Greek-style strained yogurt as a significant American yogurt category. The company expanded its product range from 2010 onward and built a second major manufacturing site in Twin Falls, Idaho. The facility became one of the world's largest yogurt plants and supported Chobani's national distribution. Chobani also opened a retail café in New York City's SoHo district in 2012. International expansion began in Australia through the 2011 purchase of Bead Foods, a Victorian dairy company. Chobani invested in the Australian operation and began production at the Dandenong South facility in 2012. It later entered selected markets in Asia and Latin America, including Singapore, Malaysia, Panama, and Mexico. During the 2010s, Chobani added products such as Flip mix-in yogurt, Chobani Oats, dessert-style yogurt, seasonal flavors, drinkable products, probiotic products, and plant-based beverages. The company also pursued a public social-purpose identity. It reported that refugees and immigrants made up a substantial portion of its workforce, created employee ownership in 2016, introduced paid parental leave, and increased hourly pay in 2021. Its philanthropy has focused on childhood nutrition, local communities near its plants, military families, food insecurity, and disaster relief. Chobani's growth was accompanied by legal and operational difficulties. In 2013, a UK court required changes to the company's use of the term Greek yogurt, while the company recalled selected products in the United States after reports of swelling containers and illnesses. Chobani later expanded its entrepreneurial support through the Chobani Food Incubator, which provides selected food and beverage startups with mentoring, resources, and non-equity investment. The company filed confidentially or publicly pursued an initial public offering in 2021 but withdrew the proposed listing in September 2022 because of market conditions. In December 2023, Chobani broadened its beverage portfolio by acquiring La Colombe Coffee Roasters and entering the cold-coffee market. Chobani continues to be privately held, with yogurt, plant-based products, oat beverages, coffee, and related packaged foods forming its principal business areas.

1. 2023La Colombe acquisition

   Chobani acquired La Colombe Coffee Roasters, expanding into cold coffee.

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2. 2022IPO plan withdrawn

   The company withdrew its proposed initial public offering amid unfavorable market conditions.

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3. 2021IPO filing

   Chobani filed plans for a potential public offering.

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4. 2016Employee ownership announced

   Chobani announced an employee ownership plan representing 10 percent of the company.

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5. 2012Twin Falls plant opens

   The company opened a large yogurt manufacturing facility in Twin Falls, Idaho.

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6. 2011Australian expansion

   Chobani expanded into Australia through the acquisition of Bead Foods.

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7. 2007Commercial launch

   Chobani introduced its first strained Greek-style yogurt products to the U.S. market.

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8. 2005Company founded

   Hamdi Ulukaya founded Chobani after acquiring a former Kraft yogurt plant in upstate New York.

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Accessible premium food and beverage brand emphasizing strained texture, protein, recognizable ingredients, lower-sugar choices, product innovation, and social responsibility.

• Chobani Greek YogurtStrained yogurt2007

  The core product line that established Chobani in the U.S. market. It uses a strained process that produces a thick, creamy texture and generally higher protein content than traditional unstrained yogurt. The line has included plain and flavored varieties such as vanilla, strawberry, peach, and blueberry.

• Chobani FlipYogurt snack

  A snack-oriented yogurt format pairing yogurt with a separate compartment of mix-ins. The format extends Chobani beyond plain cups by combining strained yogurt with inclusions such as crunchy, sweet, or cereal-like toppings.

• Chobani Zero SugarReduced-sugar yogurt

  A yogurt range positioned around zero grams of sugar, created for consumers seeking a lower-sugar alternative within the refrigerated yogurt category.

• Chobani OatPlant-based beverage2014

  An oat-based beverage line that reflects Chobani's expansion beyond dairy yogurt. The company has also used organic oats and developed other plant-based products, including dairy-free vegan yogurt and oat drinks.

• Chobani CoffeeCold coffee2023

  A coffee-focused business introduced after Chobani acquired La Colombe Coffee Roasters in 2023. It broadens the company's packaged beverage presence beyond yogurt drinks and oat beverages.

• 2019Farmer Batch

  United States

  Chobani launched a limited-edition Farmer Batch product with a portion of profits directed to the American Farmland Trust.

  Outcome. Connected product marketing with farmland preservation.

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• 2018Ten-year national-brand celebration

  United States

  Chobani marked its tenth year as a national brand by announcing an initiative to provide a yogurt to every person in America.

  Outcome. Reinforced the company's mass-market and social-purpose positioning.

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• 2018Operation Homefront partnership

  United States

  Chobani partnered with Operation Homefront to raise money for military families, contributing an initial donation and matching additional donations connected with its Hero Batch product.

  Outcome. Supported military-family assistance programs.

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• 2012U.S. Olympic Team sponsorship

  United States

  Chobani became an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and aired its first national commercial during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.

  Outcome. Expanded national brand visibility.

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• 2023Acquire La Colombe Coffee RoastersM&A

  Chobani wanted to expand from yogurt and adjacent beverages into the growing coffee category.

  What changed. Chobani acquired La Colombe Coffee Roasters and entered cold coffee.

  Aftermath. The transaction broadened Chobani's portfolio and added coffee manufacturing and brand capabilities.

  Reported acquisition price. $900 million (December 2023)

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• 2022Withdraw proposed IPOStrategy

  Chobani had filed plans for an initial public offering, but public-equity market conditions deteriorated.

  What changed. The company withdrew its proposed listing.

  Aftermath. Chobani remained privately held and continued pursuing growth without a public-market listing.

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• 2016Create employee ownership programStrategy

  Chobani sought to share the value created by the company's growth with its workforce.

  What changed. The company announced that employees would receive ownership representing 10 percent of Chobani, with allocations based partly on tenure.

  Aftermath. Long-serving employees became eligible for substantial equity value, strengthening Chobani's social-purpose identity.

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• 2013Change UK Greek-yogurt labelingOther

  A court in England and Wales found that the product wording could give consumers the impression that the yogurt was produced in Greece.

  What changed. Chobani was required to revise the labeling and use wording that more accurately described the products' style and origin.

  Aftermath. The case illustrated the regulatory distinction between yogurt made in Greece and Greek-style yogurt made elsewhere.

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• 2016Backlash over refugee employmentControversy

  Chobani's practice of employing refugees and immigrants generated boycott calls and threats. The controversy highlighted the political sensitivity of the company's workforce and social-inclusion policies.

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• 2013Yogurt product recallControversy

  Chobani recalled selected yogurt products after reports of swollen or bloated cups and illnesses. The company investigated and identified a type of mold commonly associated with dairy as a possible cause; the recall was conducted with the FDA.

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• 2023Chobani acquires La Colombe Coffee Roasters

  The acquisition gave Chobani an entry into cold coffee and broadened its portfolio beyond yogurt and adjacent dairy products.

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• 2022Chobani withdraws planned initial public offering

  The privately held company abandoned its proposed public listing after filing for an IPO in 2021, citing difficult market conditions.

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• 2016Chobani gives employees a 10 percent ownership stake

  Chobani announced an employee ownership program allocating shares equivalent to 10 percent of the company, with awards influenced by employee tenure.

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• 2013Chobani recalls selected yogurt products after spoilage reports

  Chobani voluntarily removed some Greek-style yogurt products after reports of swollen containers and illnesses. The FDA reported that consumers had become sick, while the company investigated mold contamination.

  RecallRegulation
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• 2013UK court requires changes to Chobani Greek-yogurt labeling

  A court ruling in England and Wales found that the wording used on Chobani products could mislead consumers into believing the yogurt was made in Greece.

  LawsuitRegulation
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1. Chobani
2. Chobani official website