Chobani Grows Idaho Production Footprint

More yogurt will soon be fermenting in Idaho, thanks to a $500 million expansion to Chobani’s main production hub.

The Greek yogurt brand broke ground this week on a 500,000 sq. ft. expansion to its Twin Falls, Idaho facility that will increase capacity by 50%. The addition will bring the plant to 1.6 million sq. ft. with 24 production lines and additional warehouse space.The production hub was originally opened in December 2012 and added a 71,000 sq. ft. innovation and community center in 2019.

Currently, the Chobani plant employs about 1,200 people with the expansion adding over 160 local jobs. The company also operates production facilities in New York and Australia.

The current expansion will likely double and, eventually, triple Chobani’s milk usage once operational, CEO Hamdi Ulukaya told local reporters at the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday. “Right now, we are getting about four million pounds of milk per day. This [expansion] will get us to 10 million.”

Chobani’s connection to the local economy has been significant. The company reports it has invested over $1.3 billion in the region including both infrastructure but also in dollars research at the University of Idaho’s dairy research facility and scholarships to local students.

The need for more capacity is unsurprising considering the growth the company has made in recent years. Along with its acquisition of coffee brand La Colombe, Chobani has spent the last six years evolving from a yogurt and dairy business into adjacent categories like oat milk and coffee creamers.

It is the third largest refrigerated oat milk brand in the country, representing nearly 20% of the category with dollar sales over $118 million in the 52-week period ending December 29, according to Circana sales tracking.

Eyeing the trend towards added protein, Chobani has been rolling out its High Protein line of drinkable yogurt along with added innovation in its yogurt options.