Chobani, the renowned Greek yogurt maker, revealed plans to construct a massive $1.2 billion dairy production facility in Rome, New York. The 1.4 million square foot plant will become the largest natural food manufacturing facility in the United States when completed in 2026.
The new factory will create over 1,000 full-time jobs in upstate New York, featuring competitive wages and comprehensive benefits. Once operational, the facility will have the capacity to produce one billion pounds of dairy products annually through 28 production lines.
"New York is where Chobani's journey began," said Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani. "It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago, and it's the perfect place to continue our story."
The expansion comes as Chobani experiences substantial growth, with net sales reaching $2.96 billion in 2024, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. The company currently commands approximately 20% of the U.S. yogurt market.
The Rome location was selected after a nationwide search, situated just 50 miles from Chobani's original South Edmeston factory. New York State has pledged $23 million in site preparation funding, while Oneida County contributed an additional $6 million to support the project.
The new facility will dramatically increase Chobani's milk processing capabilities from 1 billion to 6 billion pounds annually, creating new opportunities for New York dairy farmers. The plant will process approximately 12 million pounds of milk daily when running at full capacity.
"This is a generational win for Oneida County and the entire Mohawk Valley," stated Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr., highlighting the project's potential impact on regional economic development.
The announcement represents a full-circle moment for Chobani, which began in 2005 when Ulukaya purchased a shuttered Kraft yogurt factory in South Edmeston for $700,000. The company has since expanded its product line to include oat milk, creamers, and coffee beverages following its recent acquisition of La Colombe.