Who Owns Dannon?
Dannon is the US commercial name used by Danone S.A. (EPA: BN), the French multinational food company, because "Danone" was already trademarked in the United States by a separate party when Danone entered the American market. Dannon is Danone's mainstream US yogurt brand, covering Original, Light & Fit, Danimals, and other product lines. Danone also markets Activia and Oikos as separate sub-brands in the US.
Parent Company
Danone
Acquired
1981
Status
Private
Headquarters
Paris, France (Danone)
Who Owns Dannon?
- Parent Company: Danone
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1981
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: Euronext Paris: DANOY
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dannon | Danone | Wholly owned |
History of Dannon
- Founded: 1942
- Founders: Joe Metzger, Juan Metzger
- Acquired by Danone: 1981
Dannon was established in New York City in 1942 by Joe Metzger and Juan Metzger, immigrants who had been involved with the European Danone brand. They brought the yogurt concept to the United States, where yogurt was virtually unknown to most consumers. Early Dannon yogurt was positioned as a health food and initially sold through pharmacies.
The brand expanded through the 1950s and 1960s as yogurt became more mainstream in American diets. The introduction of fruit-flavored yogurt in 1947 was a significant product innovation that broadened the consumer base. Dannon grew into one of the leading US yogurt brands and was acquired by Danone S.A. of France in 1981.
About Danone
Danone delivered strong performance in FY2024, marking significant progress in its strategic transformation under the "Renew Danone" plan. The company achieved positive volume-mix for the first time since launching the strategic plan in 2022, demonstrating successful execution of its health-focused strategy.
Financial Performance: Danone reported 2024 sales of €27.4 billion, with net income more than doubling to €2.02 billion from €881 million in 2023. Operating income rose to €3.4 billion from €2.04 billion in 2023, while earnings per share more than doubled to €3.14 from €1.36 in 2023. Recurring operating margin improved to 13% from 12.6% in 2023.
Volume-Mix Improvement: CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique noted that Q4 2024 marked the sixth quarter in a row of volume-mix improvement, with high-protein, coffee, and medical nutrition posting double-digit growth. The company's Essential Dairy & Plant-Based (EDP) category achieved positive volume-mix in Europe for five consecutive quarters after 10 years of decline.
Health-Focused Strategy: Danone's increased focus on health and nutrition research and strategic shift to formulations perceived as healthier is paying dividends. The company successfully petitioned the US FDA in 2024 to secure a science-backed claim linking yogurt consumption with reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes.
- Founded: 1919
- Headquarters: Paris, Ile-de-France, France
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: Euronext Paris: DANOY
- Revenue: €27.4 billion (FY2024)
- Employees: Over 90,000
Where Is Dannon Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Paris, France (Danone)
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Dannon on AmazonCompetitors to Dannon
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chobani | USA | 2007 | Us yogurt-market-leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Danone | France | 1987 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Fage | USA (US operations) / Luxembourg (holding) | 1926 | Premium authentic-greek-yogurt | Global | All-consumers | |
| Danone | France | 2011 | Major us-greek-yogurt-brand | United states | All-consumers | |
| Lactalis | USA | 2006 | Us skyr-leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Lactalis | USA | 1983 | Us organic-yogurt-leader | United states | All-consumers |
Learn More About Competitors
Chobani
Owned by Chobani
American Greek yogurt brand that disrupted the US yogurt market after its 2007 launch, and the best-selling yogurt brand in the United States by dollar sales. Founded in upstate New York by Hamdi Ulukaya.
Activia
Owned by Danone
Probiotic yogurt brand owned by Danone SA, sold in more than 70 countries. Activia is positioned as a digestive health product and is one of Danone's highest-revenue dairy brands globally.
Fage
Owned by Fage International S.A.
Greek dairy company and the creator of authentic Greek strained yogurt, founded in Athens in 1926. Fage Total is the best-known authentic Greek yogurt brand in the United States, predating the mainstream Greek yogurt boom by more than a decade.
Oikos
Owned by Danone
American Greek yogurt brand owned by Danone, competing directly with Chobani and Fage in the strained yogurt segment. One of Danone's key US yogurt brands alongside Activia and Dannon.
Siggi's
Owned by Lactalis Group
Icelandic-style skyr brand founded in New York City in 2006 and owned by Lactalis Group since 2018. Known for its lower sugar content and simple ingredients, inspired by the Icelandic dairy tradition of skyr.
Stonyfield
Owned by Lactalis Group
American organic yogurt brand owned by Lactalis Group, founded in New Hampshire in 1983 by Gary Hirshberg and Samuel Kaymen. The best-selling organic yogurt brand in the United States. Previously owned by Danone until its 2017 sale.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Dannon competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Danone Stock Information
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