Hamdi Ulukaya
2013 award winner
EY World Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2013
EY Entrepreneur Of The YearTM 2012 United States
When it comes to making yogurt, Turkish-born entrepreneur Hamdi Ulukaya has the magic touch. Chobani Greek Yogurt, which he launched in 2007, is already the best-selling brand of yogurt in the US. Hamdi bought a closed-down yogurt factory and founded his company Chobani. In 2009, Hamdi signed a major deal with leading US grocery wholesaler Costco, and today Chobani’s annual sales are approaching US$1b. It has a workforce of more than 2,200 people and sells its products in the US, Australia and the UK.
Chobani’s newest US manufacturing facility is the largest yogurt factory in the world. As an immigrant, Hamdi believes in embracing change and improving communities, so 10% of Chobani’s profits are donated to the company’s charitable foundation, Shepherd’s Gift Foundation. The company is an official sponsor of the US Olympic team, and its corporate philosophy is “Nothing but good.”
*Information correct as of June 2013.