Why is Chobani’s founder preparing to invest in his homeland?
ISTANBUL — Chobani founder Hamdi Ulukaya says he has decided to invest in Türkiye, taking his plans to bring the American food business into his homeland a step further. The commitment leaves a key question unanswered: whether the company will establish its own operation or enter through a partnership.
“I’ve definitely made up my mind now,” Ulukaya told Forbes Türkiye, according to a report by Türkiye Today. He had previously identified both routes as possibilities, describing an investment in the country as significant for the business and personally meaningful. The report does not specify an investment amount, location or launch date.
The announcement follows Chobani’s sponsorship agreement with Fenerbahçe, which put the company’s name on the Istanbul football club’s stadium. At the signing ceremony, Ulukaya described the club as the starting point for Chobani’s plans in Türkiye.
The stadium naming agreement runs for five seasons with an option for another five. A separate arrangement covers shirt sponsorship for the football team’s European matches, giving Chobani visibility among supporters ahead of its proposed market entry.
The expansion ambition comes as Ulukaya pursues further growth for the business he founded in 2005. Chobani has moved beyond yoghurt into products including oat milk, creamers and coffee, acquiring La Colombe in 2023 and Daily Harvest in 2025.
Forbes Türkiye’s account places the proposed investment within a broader ambition to exceed $10 billion in sales by 2030. Its coverage suggests Türkiye could contribute to that target, although it does not provide a projected share of revenue from the market.
For now, the decision establishes Ulukaya’s intention. The next announcement will need to explain how that commitment becomes an operating business, including the investment structure and when customers can expect a local launch.
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