Yoplait

Yoplait is a French yogurt and dairy-dessert brand whose history is rooted in the cooperative structure of the French dairy industry. Six regional dairy cooperatives agreed in 1964 to combine their marketing efforts so that their products could be sold under a stronger national identity. On 25 September 1965, they introduced Yoplait, a name formed from the names of two participating cooperatives, Yola and Coplait. The brand’s original flower emblem represented the six principal cooperatives involved in its creation. Yoplait developed as an international franchise and licensing system rather than as a single centrally owned manufacturing network. Its products have consequently been made, marketed, and distributed by different dairy companies in different countries. Local arrangements have included General Mills in the United States, Bega Dairy & Drinks in Australia, Tnuva in Israel, Sigma Alimentos in Mexico, Binggrae in South Korea, Goodman Fielder in New Zealand, Fjordland in Norway, and Quillayes in Chile. Product names and ranges vary by market, with examples including Original, Yop, Minigo, Tubes, Source, Creamy, Deliss, Yoptimal, Asana, Petits Filous, Wildlife, Frubes, Go-Gurt, and Oui by Yoplait. The ownership structure changed substantially during the twenty-first century. In 2011, General Mills acquired a controlling interest in Yoplait’s principal operating company and a substantial interest in an associated company holding intellectual-property rights, while Sodiaal retained the balance. General Mills used the brand extensively in North America and expanded its portfolio with products such as Greek-style yogurt, children’s yogurt, drinkable yogurt, and probiotic offerings. During the 2000s and 2010s, however, the U.S. business faced increasing competition from Greek-yogurt specialists, particularly Chobani. General Mills responded in part by repositioning Yoplait around its French heritage and by introducing Oui by Yoplait in 2017. Oui adapted a long-established French product concept for the U.S. market and emphasized fermentation in individual glass pots rather than bulk fermentation followed by filling. General Mills sold its interest in Yoplait back to Sodiaal on 30 November 2021, returning control of the global brand to the French dairy cooperative. The subsequent international structure remained market-specific. General Mills continued operating the U.S. franchise for a period and sold its Canadian yogurt business to Sodiaal in January 2025. On 30 June 2025, Lactalis acquired Yoplait and other General Mills yogurt brands in the United States, placing those operations within Lactalis Midwest Yogurt. These transactions mean that ownership of the Yoplait trademark and the operating arrangements for the brand are not identical in every country. Yoplait’s typical range includes set and stirred yogurts, fruit-flavored yogurts, Greek and Greek-style products, drinking yogurts, children’s formats, probiotic products, and dessert-like dairy snacks. Its positioning combines accessible everyday dairy consumption with French origin, flavor variety, convenience, and family-oriented formats. In the United States, the brand has also been associated with the Save Lids to Save Lives breast-cancer fundraising program and with packaging changes intended to reduce the risk of small animals becoming trapped in discarded yogurt cups. Yoplait remains an active international brand, but its products, licensees, ownership, and market position differ across territories.

Yoplait emerged from an effort by French dairy cooperatives to create a national marketing identity. In 1964, 100,000 French farmers were associated with an agreement to merge the marketing activities of six regional cooperatives. Rather than selling only through separate regional names, the cooperatives sought a unified brand capable of competing across France. The resulting Yoplait name combined elements of Yola and Coplait, the names of two member cooperatives, and the brand was formally launched on 25 September 1965. Its six-petaled flower logo referred to the six principal cooperative founders and became one of the brand’s most recognizable visual assets. From the beginning, Yoplait developed through a franchise model. The central brand could be used by local dairy businesses that manufactured and distributed products suited to their domestic markets. This allowed Yoplait to expand internationally while retaining local production and commercial partnerships. In the United States, the brand entered in 1974 through a license held by Michigan Cottage Cheese Company. General Mills acquired the U.S. marketing rights and a yogurt plant in Reed City, Michigan, in 1977, and subsequently became the exclusive U.S. franchisee. General Mills later opened a plant in Carson, California, to supply the West Coast and expanded distribution to the East Coast in 1981. Other national operations developed through separate partnerships. In Canada, the brand was introduced by the Coopérative Agricole de Granby in 1971. Its yogurt activities later formed part of Ultima Foods, which manufactured and marketed Yoplait products until General Mills assumed the Canadian license in 2012. Ultima continued manufacturing products as a subcontractor. In the United Kingdom, Yoplait’s joint venture with Dairy Crest ended in 2009, after which Yoplait UK became fully owned by Yoplait France. France remained the brand’s principal home market, while countries such as Australia, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates operated through local dairy or food companies. Yoplait entered Italy in 1992 through a Sodiaal–Kraft Foods joint venture, reached a reported 2.5% market share the following year, and withdrew in 1999. In Portugal, the franchise arrangement with Gelgurte was not renewed after 2010. The Spanish business also ceased production and commercialization after its local operation closed. These examples illustrate the uneven nature of Yoplait’s international expansion: the brand has been globally recognizable, but local commercial success and continuity have varied considerably. The ownership of the central business changed in 2011, when General Mills acquired a controlling 51% interest in Yoplait’s main operating company and a 50% interest in a related company holding the brand’s intellectual property. Sodiaal retained the balance. Under General Mills, the U.S. portfolio included standard fruit yogurts, children’s products, drinking yogurts, probiotic products, and extensions such as Trix Yogurt and Go-Gurt. During the 2000s and 2010s, the U.S. business lost ground to Greek-yogurt competitors, particularly Chobani. General Mills attempted several Greek-yogurt extensions, but the reference material describes those efforts as unsuccessful. The company subsequently emphasized Yoplait’s French identity. On 10 July 2017, General Mills launched Oui by Yoplait in the United States, adapting an established French product concept known as Yoplait Saveur d’Autrefois. The product used a pot-set method: ingredients were placed into individual glass jars and fermented there, rather than being fermented in bulk and poured into finished containers. This process supported a positioning based on simplicity, French tradition, and a texture distinct from conventional stirred yogurt. On 30 November 2021, General Mills sold its share back to Sodiaal. The transaction made Sodiaal the full owner of the central Yoplait brand structure, although market-level franchise arrangements continued. In January 2025, Sodiaal acquired General Mills’ Canadian yogurt business. On 30 June 2025, Lactalis acquired Yoplait and other General Mills yogurt brands in the United States. Consequently, the brand’s global identity is unified at the consumer level but operationally distributed among Sodiaal and local franchisees or market operators. Yoplait has also maintained a public-facing community role in the United States. Its Save Lids to Save Lives program links pink yogurt lids with donations for breast-cancer research, and the brand has sponsored Race for the Cure activities since 2001. The U.S. business also added a disposal instruction and a modified cup rim intended to reduce the chance that small animals would become trapped in discarded containers. These initiatives, together with recurring debates over ingredients, advertising, and packaging, form part of Yoplait’s broader brand history.

1. 2025Yoplait’s Canadian and U.S. structures change

   Sodiaal acquires General Mills’ Canadian yogurt business, while Lactalis acquires the U.S. Yoplait operations on 30 June.

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2. 2021Sodiaal regains full ownership of the central Yoplait business

   General Mills sells its Yoplait interest back to Sodiaal on 30 November.

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3. 2017Oui by Yoplait launches in the United States

   General Mills introduces a French-style yogurt fermented in individual glass pots.

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4. 2011General Mills takes control of Yoplait’s main operating company

   General Mills acquires a 51% interest in the main operating company and a 50% interest in a related intellectual-property company.

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5. 2009Yoplait and Dairy Crest end their United Kingdom joint venture

   The U.K. joint venture ends, with Yoplait UK subsequently becoming wholly owned by Yoplait France.

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6. 2001Yoplait becomes a primary Race for the Cure sponsor

   The U.S. franchise begins serving as a primary sponsor of Race for the Cure activities.

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7. 1999Yoplait exits Italy

   The brand withdraws from the Italian market after several years of operation.

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8. 1992Yoplait enters Italy

   Sodiaal and Kraft Foods establish a joint venture to introduce Yoplait in Italy.

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9. 1981General Mills expands Yoplait to the U.S. East Coast

   Distribution expands beyond the West Coast as General Mills begins selling Yoplait on the East Coast.

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10. 1977General Mills acquires U.S. rights

    General Mills acquires U.S. marketing rights and a yogurt plant in Reed City, Michigan.

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11. 1974Yoplait enters the United States

    The brand enters the U.S. through a license held by Michigan Cottage Cheese Company.

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12. 1971Yoplait enters Canada

    The Coopérative Agricole de Granby launches the Yoplait brand in the Canadian market.

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13. 1965Yoplait brand launches in France

    The Yoplait name is introduced on 25 September, combining elements of Yola and Coplait.

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14. 1964Six French dairy cooperatives align their marketing activities

    Regional cooperatives representing approximately 100,000 farmers agree to pursue a unified national dairy brand.

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An internationally franchised French dairy brand positioned around enjoyable everyday yogurt, fruit flavors, convenience, family consumption, and French-style authenticity.

• Yoplait OriginalStirred and fruit yogurt

  Yoplait Original is the brand’s core everyday yogurt range, particularly associated with fruit flavors and the tapered cup format used in the United States. It represents Yoplait’s traditional mass-market proposition: familiar dairy yogurt, broad flavor choice, and convenient single-serve packaging. Availability and recipes vary by country.

• Oui by YoplaitFrench-style yogurt2017

  Oui by Yoplait is a French-style yogurt introduced in the United States in 2017. It was adapted from the French Saveur d’Autrefois concept and is made by placing ingredients in individual glass jars before fermentation. The pot-set process and glass packaging support a positioning centered on French heritage, texture, and a comparatively simple product experience.

• YopDrinking yogurt

  Yop is Yoplait’s drinking-yogurt line, sold in several markets including the United Kingdom and Canada. It is designed for portable consumption and extends the brand beyond spoonable yogurt. Recipes, formats, and flavors are market-specific.

• Go-GurtChildren’s yogurt

  Go-Gurt is a children-oriented yogurt product sold in plastic tubes for spoonless eating. The format emphasizes portability and convenience, and the range has commonly been associated with fruit flavors and family lunchbox occasions in the United States.

• Petits FilousChildren’s yogurt

  Petits Filous is a children’s yogurt brand in the Yoplait portfolio, particularly visible in the United Kingdom and other markets. It includes pot yogurts and related formats designed for younger consumers. The brand operates as part of Yoplait’s broader family and children’s dairy offering.

• MinigoChildren’s yogurt

  Minigo is a children’s yogurt line marketed in Canada. It is one of the localized products that illustrates how Yoplait’s franchise model uses different names and formats in different national markets.

• Yo-PlusProbiotic yogurt

  Yo-Plus is a probiotic yogurt line associated with the U.S. Yoplait portfolio. It extends the brand into functional dairy products by emphasizing probiotic positioning alongside the ordinary yogurt format.

• Yoplait Greek 100Greek-style yogurt

  Yoplait Greek 100 is a Greek-style yogurt offering listed among the brand’s flagship products. It reflects Yoplait’s efforts to participate in the Greek-yogurt segment, which became increasingly important in the U.S. market during the 2000s and 2010s.

• 2001Save Lids to Save Lives

  United States

  Yoplait encouraged consumers to mail pink foil lids from qualifying products, with a stated donation of ten cents per lid for breast-cancer research. Promotional materials stated that annual donations were capped at $2 million.

  Outcome. The program became a recurring U.S. cause-marketing initiative and was linked to support for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

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• 2001Race for the Cure sponsorship

  United States

  The U.S. Yoplait franchise became a primary sponsor of Race for the Cure events, extending the brand’s breast-cancer fundraising association beyond package-based donations.

  Outcome. Yoplait maintained a long-term sponsorship role according to the reference material.

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• 1998Animal-safe cup design campaign

  United States

  Animal advocates, including the Humane Society, urged Yoplait to redesign its tapered yogurt cups because small animals could become trapped inside. The issue became a long-running packaging and disposal concern.

  Outcome. The U.S. franchise added a lower rim and disposal messaging instructing consumers to crush cups before disposal.

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• 2025Lactalis acquires Yoplait’s U.S. operationsM&A

  General Mills continued to operate Yoplait in the United States after Sodiaal regained control of the central brand structure.

  What changed. On 30 June 2025, Lactalis acquired Yoplait and other General Mills yogurt brands in the United States and placed them within Lactalis Midwest Yogurt.

  Aftermath. U.S. operations moved from General Mills to Lactalis, creating a market-specific ownership arrangement separate from Sodiaal’s central ownership of the brand.

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• 2021Sodiaal reacquires General Mills’ Yoplait interestM&A

  General Mills and Sodiaal had shared ownership of the central Yoplait structure since 2011.

  What changed. General Mills sold its share back to Sodiaal on 30 November 2021.

  Aftermath. Sodiaal became the fully controlling owner of the core Yoplait brand, while local franchise and licensing arrangements continued in multiple markets.

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• 2017Launch of Oui by YoplaitProduct launch

  Yoplait had been losing U.S. market share to Greek-yogurt brands, particularly Chobani, while several Yoplait Greek-yogurt extensions had not achieved the desired results. General Mills concluded that French heritage and production authenticity could provide a stronger point of difference.

  What changed. General Mills launched Oui by Yoplait in the United States, adapting the French Saveur d’Autrefois concept and using individual glass jars with in-pot fermentation.

  Aftermath. Oui gave Yoplait a premium-leaning French-style product platform distinct from its conventional stirred-yogurt ranges.

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• 2011General Mills acquires control of Yoplait’s core operating businessM&A

  Yoplait operated as an international brand with cooperative ownership and market-level franchise arrangements. General Mills sought a controlling position in the central operating structure and broader control of the brand’s commercial development.

  What changed. General Mills acquired 51% of Yoplait’s principal operating company and 50% of a related intellectual-property company, while Sodiaal retained the remaining interests.

  Aftermath. General Mills became the principal global corporate partner and continued to operate major franchises, especially in North America, until later divestments.

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• 2012Criticism of a Yoplait television advertisementControversy

  The National Eating Disorders Association criticized a Yoplait advertisement for presenting a woman’s food choices in a way it considered potentially harmful. Yoplait said that this was not the intended interpretation and announced that it would pull the advertisement.

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• 2011Growth-hormone controversy associated with Save Lids to Save LivesControversy

  The documentary Pink Ribbons, Inc. reported that some products promoted through Save Lids to Save Lives had previously used milk from cows treated with bovine somatotropin. The issue attracted criticism because the hormone is restricted or banned in several countries and has been the subject of public-health debate. Yoplait subsequently agreed to remove such milk from the relevant products.

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• 2025Sodiaal takes over General Mills’ Canadian yogurt business

  Sodiaal completed the acquisition of General Mills’ Canadian yogurt business, changing the operating structure of Yoplait in Canada.

  M&A
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• 2025Lactalis acquires Yoplait’s United States yogurt operations

  Lactalis acquired Yoplait and other General Mills yogurt brands in the United States and placed them within Lactalis Midwest Yogurt.

  M&A
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• 2021General Mills returns its Yoplait interest to Sodiaal

  General Mills sold its share in Yoplait back to Sodiaal, restoring full ownership of the core brand structure to the French dairy cooperative.

  M&A
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• 2017Yoplait launches Oui in the United States

  General Mills introduced Oui by Yoplait as a French-style yogurt made by fermenting ingredients in individual glass pots, using French heritage as a central point of differentiation.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2011General Mills agrees to acquire a controlling interest in Yoplait

  General Mills announced an agreement to acquire a 51% interest in Yoplait’s principal operating company and a 50% interest in an associated intellectual-property company, with Sodiaal retaining the remaining interests.

  M&A
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• 2011General Mills completes its Yoplait acquisition

  The transaction announced in May was completed on 1 July, making General Mills the controlling partner in the main Yoplait operating business.

  M&A
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• 1998Animal advocates continue campaign over Yoplait cup design

  Animal advocates, including the Humane Society, criticized Yoplait’s tapered containers because small animals could become trapped inside. The campaign continued for years and contributed to packaging and disposal messaging changes.

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1. Yoplait