Chobani Doubles Down on New York with $1.2B Mega-Facility in Rome, NY

Chobani is coming full circle.

Two decades after launching in a defunct Kraft plant in upstate New York, the Greek yogurt pioneer is returning to its roots with a significant investment: a brand-new, $1.2 billion, one-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Rome, NY—one that’s being touted as the largest dairy factory in the U.S.

The move signals a new era of growth for Chobani, which has evolved from scrappy startup to category-defining brand — and now, a multi-billion-dollar food empire.

Founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya says the new facility directly responds to booming demand across its product portfolio. The factory is designed to produce over one billion pounds of dairy annually, and the expansion is set to nearly double Chobani’s New York workforce, adding 1,000+ jobs in the Mohawk Valley region.

“These are the preparations for growth that’s coming and that we’re experiencing,” said Ulukaya.

The announcement follows Chobani’s $500 million investment in Idaho, which aims to increase production capacity by 50%. However, New York made a strong play in landing the company’s flagship facility, sweetening the deal with tax incentives and grants to secure the shovel-ready site in Rome.

Chobani’s 2023 Snapshot:

• $2.96B in net sales (up 17%)

• $509M in adjusted EBITDA (up 26%)

• 20% U.S. yogurt market share (Nielsen)

• Expanded into coffee (La Colombe), creamers, and oat milk

Beyond the numbers, Chobani continues to lead with values. Known for refugee hiring, employee benefits, and sustainable manufacturing, the company’s social mission remains core to its identity, despite political pressure.

Ulukaya, who has personally acquired legacy brands like Anchor Brewing, is also leaving the door open for a long-awaited IPO. While the company filed in 2021, a turbulent market delayed its debut. Still, Ulukaya hinted:

“An I.P.O. is a possibility. But I haven’t made up my mind.”

Whether public or private, one thing’s clear: Chobani is betting big on New York — and New York is betting right back.