The Story of Chobani

Today, Chobani is one of the most preferred Greek yogurt producers in the United States. The vision, entrepreneurial journey, and social responsibility approach of its founder Hamdi Ulukaya make the brand stand out not only for its quality but also for its philosophy.

Who is Hamdi Ulukaya?

Hamdi Ulukaya was born on October 26, 1972, in İliç, Erzincan, Turkey, to a Kurdish family engaged in dairy farming. After studying political science at Ankara University, he moved to the United States in 1994 and pursued business-related studies at Adelphi University and SUNY Albany.

The Birth and Rise of Chobani

In 2002, Ulukaya established a small factory in Johnstown, New York. In 2005, he purchased a closed yogurt factory in the state of New York. Despite initial opposition, he relaunched his brand under the name “Chobani” in 2007. By 2011, Chobani had become the leading Greek yogurt brand in the United States with a significant market share.

From 2016 onwards, he expanded the product range by acquiring the La Colombe coffee brand, transforming Chobani into a major food and beverage company beyond yogurt.

Chobani’s Social and Humanitarian Approach

Chobani operates with the philosophy of donating a portion of each sale to charitable causes. In particular, its campaigns with Foodbank have resulted in millions of meals donated.
Through the ‘Tent Partnership for Refugees’ initiative, the company guides other businesses on refugee employment. Ulukaya adopted the motto, “the moment a refugee gets a job, they stop being a refugee.”
In 2019, he distributed up to 10% of the company’s shares to employees—a move that made a major impact in terms of employee loyalty and social justice.
Following the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake, he personally donated $2 million and launched aid campaigns through his network.

Recent Projects

In 2025, under Hamdi Ulukaya’s leadership, Chobani is investing $1.2 billion in the Rome region of Upstate New York to establish the country’s largest natural food production facility. This project is expected to create over 1,000 jobs.

In addition, the acquisition of San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing Co. marked a bold step into the beer industry. Ulukaya aims to revive the brand he has taken over.

Innovation

Chobani’s core product is Greek yogurt, but the company later expanded into plant-based beverages (oat milk, creamers) and ready-to-drink coffee products. It also attracted consumer interest with innovative packaging and products like “Chobani Flip.”

Why is it so important and why is it being talked about?

Chobani is not just a yogurt brand; it is an exemplary company in sustainability, social responsibility, and community contribution. Ulukaya is recognized as “a leader who blends business and human values in the same pot.” However, the recent reason it has been making headlines is due to its major sponsorship of Fenerbahçe. Having also acquired the stadium naming rights, Chobani has been in the spotlight in Türkiye for some time.

Fenerbahçe President Ali Koç extended his special thanks to Hamdi Ulukaya, adding: “When we presented this crazy idea, they quickly embraced and evaluated it. Mr. Hamdi did not just become a sponsor; he also wanted to be on our jersey. In Europe, we will take the field with the Chobani name.”