History of Chobani in Timeline

Chobani is an American food company founded in 2005 by Hamdi Ulukaya, specializing in strained Greek yogurt. Chobani popularized Greek yogurt in the U.S. and has expanded its product line to include non-dairy options like vegan yogurt and oat milk. It holds the top spot as the best-selling Greek yogurt brand in the United States and operates the largest yogurt facility globally. Chobani's market share significantly increased from less than 1% in 2007 to over 20% in 2021. In 2016, Chobani announced it was giving 10 percent of its ownership stake to its employees.

2005: Chobani founded

In 2005, Chobani was founded by the Turkish businessman Hamdi Ulukaya. He chose the name Chobani as a variation of the Turkish word Çoban, which means "shepherd".

2007: Chobani brand launched

Hamdi Ulukaya hired several of the former Kraft employees and launched his brand Chobani in 2007.

2009: Chain stores Stop & Shop and ShopRite started carrying Chobani

In 2009, the chain stores Stop & Shop and ShopRite began carrying Chobani, and by the middle of 2009, Chobani was selling 200,000 cases a week. Later that same year, a major breakthrough came when the warehouse club stores BJ's Wholesale Club and Costco began carrying the brand.

2010: Chobani realized over $1 billion in annual sales

By 2010, Chobani realized over $1 billion in annual sales and became the leading seller of Greek yogurt in the U.S.

November 2011: Chobani expanded into Victoria, Australia

In November 2011, Chobani expanded into Victoria, Australia through the purchase of Victorian dairy company Bead Foods.

July 2012: Chobani opened first brick-and-mortar cafe in SoHo, New York City

In July 2012, Chobani opened its first brick-and-mortar cafe in SoHo, New York City.

December 2012: Chobani began manufacturing from the Dandenong South plant in Australia

Chobani invested $30m to expand the facility and began manufacturing from the Dandenong South plant in December 2012.

2012: Chobani became an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team

In 2012, Chobani became an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympic Team and premiered their first national commercial during the 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

September 3, 2013: Chobani pulled some of its Greek-style yogurt from supermarket shelves

On September 3, 2013, Chobani pulled some of its Greek-style yogurt from supermarket shelves after hearing of "swelling or bloating" in cups. The company said it has investigated and found a type of mold commonly found in dairy that may be to blame.

September 9, 2013: FDA reported at least 89 people reported becoming sick after eating Chobani yogurt

On September 9, 2013, the FDA reported at least 89 people reported becoming sick after eating the Chobani yogurt.

2013: Chobani was ordered to change its yogurt's labeling in England and Wales

In 2013, Chobani was ordered to change its yogurt's labeling in England and Wales after a judge ruled that the wording "Greek yoghurt" (rather than Greek-style) misled consumers into thinking the yogurt was made in Greece.

April 2014: Chobani reached a deal with TPG for a $750-million investment

In April 2014, Chobani reached a deal with private-equity firm TPG for a $750-million investment, which funded the company's expansion and the launch of a new line of products.

April 2016: Chobani gave 10 percent of its ownership stake to its employees

In April 2016, Chobani announced it was giving 10 percent of its ownership stake to its employees. The company allotted shares to its employees based on tenure, reportedly helping some of the company's longest serving employees become millionaires.

August 2016: Chobani introduced products in Mexico

Chobani introduced its products in Mexico in August 2016.

October 2016: Chobani implemented a program to give six weeks of paid parental leave to new parents

In October 2016, the company announced that it was implementing a program to give six weeks of paid parental leave to new parents.

2016: Hamdi Ulukaya launched the Chobani Food Incubator

Hamdi Ulukaya launched the Chobani Food Incubator in 2016 to support entrepreneurs at food and beverage startup companies with a nonequity investment, resources, mentorship and programming.

2016: Chobani received calls for boycotts and death threats

In 2016, following reports on Chobani's practice of employing refugees, the company received calls for boycotts and death threats.

2017: Chobani surpassed Yoplait as the No. 2 manufacturer in overall yogurt

In 2017, Chobani surpassed Yoplait as the No. 2 manufacturer in overall yogurt. The company also announced a $20 million expansion of the Twin Falls plant, with a 70,000 square-foot facility and a new global research and development center.

November 2018: Chobani announced a new partnership with Operation Homefront

In November 2018, Chobani announced a new partnership with the national nonprofit Operation Homefront, with the aim of raising $1 million for America's military families for financial assistance and support. Chobani donated $500,000 and the company pledged to match up to $250,000 in additional donations facilitated by a new Chobani product.

2018: Chobani announced the creation of the Chobani Incubator Food Tech Residency

In 2018, the company announced the creation of the Chobani Incubator Food Tech Residency.

2018: Chobani celebrated its 10th anniversary as a national brand

In the spring of 2018, CEO Hamdi Ulukaya appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and Good Morning America to announce that the company was celebrating its 10th anniversary as a national brand by giving a Chobani yogurt to every person in America.

May 2019: CEO Ulukaya pledged to pay the student lunch debt for all Warwick school district students

In May 2019, CEO Ulukaya pledged to pay the student lunch debt for all Warwick school district students in Rhode Island and urged other companies to step up to fight food insecurity across the country.

October 2019: Chobani launched a limited edition product, "Farmer Batch"

In October 2019, Chobani launched a limited edition product, "Farmer Batch", with a portion of profits going to the American Farmland Trust (AFT).

November 2019: The Chobani Incubator introduced its new Vets Cohort

In November 2019, the Chobani Incubator introduced its new Vets Cohort to help current and former armed service members who are also food entrepreneurs grow their business. The program was formed through a partnership with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University.

July 2021: Chobani filed to go public

Chobani filed to go public in July 2021.

2021: Chobani wages increased for hourly workers

In 2021, wages increased for the company's hourly workers, making up 70% of people employed by the company, from $13 to at least $15.

September 2022: Chobani withdrew plans for an initial public offering

In September 2022, Chobani withdrew its plans for an initial public offering of more than $10 billion citing current market conditions.

December 2023: Chobani acquired La Colombe Coffee Roasters

In December 2023, Chobani entered the cold coffee market through the acquisition of La Colombe Coffee Roasters for $900 million.

October 16, 2025: Chobani secured $0.65B in equity capital to expand production

On October 16, 2025, Chobani announced it had secured $0.65B in equity capital to expand production at its facilities in New York and Idaho, valuing the company at about $20B.

2025: Chobani secured naming rights of European soccer team Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul

Chobani secured naming rights of European soccer team Fenerbahçe's Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul in 2025 for 5+5 years, also they became team's kit sponsor for UEFA competitions for 2+3 years.