Chobani to invest US$567M in Michigan plant to expand La Colombe RTD coffee production
Chobani expands La Colombe coffee production with a US$567 million Michigan investment, creating jobs and scaling capacity amid rising demand for ready-to-drink beverages.
USA – Chobani has announced a US$567 million investment to expand its La Colombe coffee manufacturing facility in Norton Shores, Michigan, as demand rises for its ready-to-drink (RTD) latte products.
The multi-phase expansion project will add 200,000 square feet of production space and create nearly 340 new jobs, effectively doubling the plant’s current workforce.
The company said the investment reflects strong and sustained consumer demand for La Colombe’s RTD coffee offerings.
La Colombe, founded in Philadelphia in 1994, initially built its reputation through café-based coffee experiences before launching its ready-to-drink latte line in 2016. The RTD range has since become a key growth driver for the brand.
Hamdi Ulukaya, founder and CEO of Chobani, highlighted the significance of the Michigan facility and the local community. “La Colombe has been making ready-to-drink lattes in Norton Shores for more than a decade, and from day one this community has welcomed us with open arms,” he said.
“There’s something special here — in the hardworking spirit of the people, in the pride of Michigan’s farmers who produce high quality, delicious, farm-fresh milk, in the way neighbors show up for one another,” Ulukaya added.
The expansion follows a series of major investments by Chobani in 2025, totaling US$1.7 billion. These include a US$500 million expansion of its Twin Falls, Idaho facility to increase production capacity by 50%, and a US$1.2 billion investment in a new dairy processing plant in upstate New York, the largest in the company’s history.
Chobani noted that La Colombe’s RTD platform has grown by 32% year-over-year, supported by strong consumer demand for products positioned as lower in sugar and higher in nutritional value.
John Frost, Chobani’s chief customer officer, previously highlighted the brand’s differentiation in the RTD coffee segment.
He said La Colombe products typically contain about 50% less sugar than competing offerings and are a good source of protein, helping them stand out in a competitive market.
Chobani acquired La Colombe for US$900 million in 2023, marking its first major acquisition and expanding its presence beyond yogurt into coffee. The company has since continued to diversify its portfolio, including the acquisition of plant-based food company Daily Harvest.
The global RTD coffee market is expected to grow steadily, with projections indicating it could reach US$11 billion by 2031, according to Mordor Intelligence.
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