Chobani Enters RTD Coffee Segment With $900 Million Acquisition of La Colombe

Dec. 15, 2023

As part of the deal, Keurig Dr Pepper will turn its 33% stake in La Colombe into equity in Chobani.

Chobani LLC is expanding into the coffee business, acquiring independent coffee roaster La Colombe for $900 million. La Colombe serves consumers in retail, cafes, foodservice and direct-to-consumer channels, and claims to be the only ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee company.

Part of deal involves buying out Keurig Dr Pepper's 33% stake in La Colombe, acquired just this past June for $300 million, by turning KDP's equity in La Colombe into Chobani equity -- how much was not specified. KDP will continue to support La Colombe, and possibly Chobani as well, through KDP's direct store delivery network and with Keurig K-Cup pods.

Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, who on his own has been the majority owner of La Colombe, called the move the “next chapter of growth” for his company, known for its Greek yogurt, oatmilk and creamers. Chobani has “already made an investment in the coffee category with our creamers," he said.

Under Chobani’s umbrella, La Colombe will operate as an independent brand complementary to Chobani’s core portfolio. La Colombe’s RTD line has grown more than three times in the past five years, Chobani’s release said, and the company expects the brand to benefit through gaining access to underdeveloped channels like convenience retail. Chobani also expects to enhance La Colombe’s procurement practices and cost synergies, and also to elevate the operational performance of the brand.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.