Chobani
Chobani is America's #1 Greek yogurt brand, founded in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya in South Edmeston, New York. The company pioneered the mass-market Greek yogurt category in the U.S., growing from a single abandoned factory to a billion-dollar business without outside investment.
The Story
Chobani, LLC is the leading Greek yogurt brand in the United States, founded by Turkish-Kurdish immigrant Hamdi Ulukaya in 2005. Ulukaya purchased a defunct Kraft yogurt factory in upstate New York for $700,000 and launched Chobani with a simple premise: make a better, thicker, creamier yogurt using only natural ingredients. Starting with just a handful of employees, Chobani grew organically by pricing its product below competitors and securing shelf space at major retailers including ShopRite, BJ's, and Costco. The company reached $1 billion in sales within five years—without taking any outside capital—by reinvesting profits and maintaining relentless focus on product quality and operational efficiency. The brand's rise coincided with—and largely drove—the mainstream adoption of Greek yogurt in America, which grew from less than 1% to nearly 50% of the $8 billion U.S. yogurt market. Today, Chobani operates multiple manufacturing facilities, employs over 2,000 people, and has expanded into new categories including cold coffee (La Colombe acquisition, 2023), high-protein drinks, and plant-based frozen meals (Daily Harvest acquisition, 2024).
Key Facts & Metrics
Products
Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt
32oz tub of smooth Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt. Simple ingredients, no artificial sweeteners. Perfect for breakfast, smoothies, or baking.
Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt
32oz tub of classic Chobani Strawberry Greek Yogurt. Made with non-GMO ingredients and real fruit. No artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
Chobani Honey Greek Yogurt
5.3oz cup of Chobani Honey Greek Yogurt. Sweetened naturally with honey, high in protein. A convenient on-the-go snack.
Company Timeline
1972 — Hamdi Ulukaya born
Born in Ilic, a small town in eastern Turkey, into a Kurdish dairy-farming family.
1994 — Emigrated to the United States
Arrived in the U.S. with $3,000 and limited English to study at Adelphi University and later Baruch College.
2005 — Founded Chobani
Purchased an abandoned Kraft yogurt factory in South Edmeston, New York for $700,000 and launched Chobani.
2007 — First major retail distribution
Chobani secured system-wide distribution at ShopRite, quickly expanding to BJ's and Costco.
2010 — Reached $260M in revenue
Within three years of launch, Chobani hit $260 million in annual sales without outside investment.
2012 — Built Idaho manufacturing plant
Broke ground on a 1 million sq ft factory in Idaho to scale production and de-risk single-location operations.
2013 — Mold recall and near-bankruptcy
A mold issue at the Idaho plant triggered a product recall. Banks called in loans, and the company faced bankruptcy before a last-minute financing deal.
2014 — TPG investment and leadership change
Private equity firm TPG invested in Chobani. Kevin Burns joined as interim president and COO while Ulukaya remained CEO.
2023 — Acquired La Colombe for $900M
Chobani expanded into coffee with the $900 million acquisition of ready-to-drink coffee company La Colombe.
2024 — Acquired Daily Harvest and $1.2B factory investment
Purchased plant-based frozen meal company Daily Harvest and announced a $1.2+ billion natural food facility in Rome, New York.
