Early Life
Hamdi Ulukaya was born in 1972 in İliç, Turkey, into a Kurdish dairy-farming family. Growing up, his family made cheese and yogurt, instilling in him a deep appreciation for dairy products. Ulukaya moved to the United States in 1994 to study English.
Rise to Success
Ulukaya's entrepreneurial journey began when he purchased a former Kraft Foods yogurt plant in upstate New York in 2005. Inspired by his heritage and the lack of authentic yogurt options in the US, he developed a recipe for Greek yogurt. Chobani's first cup of yogurt hit shelves in 2007. Within five years, Chobani became the top-selling Greek yogurt brand in the U.S., achieving over $1 billion in annual sales. The company has expanded its product line to include oat milk, coffee creamers, and other products. In 2013, Ulukaya was named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year.
Key Business Strategies
Ulukaya's business philosophy centers around prioritizing people and community. He's known for his employee-centric approach, exemplified by giving 10% of Chobani's shares to employees in 2016. Chobani focuses on making high-quality food accessible and has built a strong brand by focusing on social responsibility. Ulukaya also launched the Chobani Food Incubator to support food and beverage startups. In 2024, Chobani announced plans for a new global headquarters, Chobani House, in New York City, which will include community spaces.
Philanthropy
Ulukaya is a devoted philanthropist, founding the Tent Partnership for Refugees to help integrate refugees economically. He has also pledged to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes through the Giving Pledge. In 2023, he donated $2 million to support recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria after a devastating earthquake.
