Debrief
Chobani’s Anti-CEO Is a Pro-Employee Billionaire in Expansion Mode
Founder Hamdi Ulukaya on upending yogurt, rebuilding communities, and leading through the pandemic.
Fifteen years ago, the Chobani founder bought a shuttered dairy factory and began making Greek-style yogurt. His privately held company now earns more than $1.5 billion in annual revenue—all while distinguishing itself as a champion of Good Business. Here, Hamdi Ulukaya explains his magic formula to Bloomberg Businessweek Editor Joel Weber.
Joel Weber: Hamdi, you’re a Turkish Kurd who came to the U.S. and became a billionaire selling Greek yogurt to Americans. What other food could have taken you on such a journey?