Who Owns Yoplait?
Yoplait is owned by the SODIAAL dairy cooperative in France, with the US commercial license held by General Mills (NYSE: GIS) since 1977. Yoplait was the best-selling yogurt brand in the United States for decades before being displaced by Chobani's Greek yogurt from around 2013. General Mills sells Yoplait in the US and maintains the brand across multiple formats including Original, Light, Greek, and Oui.
Parent Company
General Mills, Inc.
Acquired
1977
Status
Private
Headquarters
Paris, France (SODIAAL); Minneapolis, Minnesota (General Mills)
Who Owns Yoplait?
- Parent Company: General Mills, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Licensed
- Acquisition Year: 1977
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NYSE: GIS
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Yoplait | General Mills, Inc. | Licensed |
History of Yoplait
- Founded: 1965
- Founders: SODIAAL (cooperative)
- Acquired by General Mills, Inc.: 1977
Yoplait was created in 1965 when several French dairy cooperatives merged under the leadership of SODIAAL. The brand launched as a commercially distributed cup yogurt using fruit-on-the-bottom formats, which became its signature format in France and then internationally.
General Mills licensed Yoplait for the US market in 1977 and built the brand into the best-selling US yogurt through extensive TV advertising and the distinctive peel-foil lid cup that became the product's most recognizable packaging element. Yoplait dominated the US yogurt market through the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
The Greek yogurt revolution, led primarily by Chobani beginning in 2007, fundamentally disrupted Yoplait's market position. Chobani's higher-protein, lower-sugar yogurt appealed to a wide audience and grew with remarkable speed. By 2012-2013, Chobani had overtaken Yoplait as the best-selling US yogurt brand.
General Mills responded with Yoplait Greek (launched 2010) and Yoplait Oui (a French-style set yogurt in glass jars, launched 2017). Oui in particular found a distinct premium positioning and has been a meaningful brand reinvention.
About General Mills, Inc.
What does General Mills own?
General Mills owns a portfolio of consumer food brands including Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Wheaties, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Totino's, Old El Paso, Annie's, and Blue Buffalo pet food. The company operates in more than 100 countries and sells products across breakfast cereals, snacks, baking, frozen foods, yogurt, and pet food categories.
Is General Mills publicly traded?
Yes, General Mills, Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker GIS. The company has been publicly traded for decades and has paid dividends continuously for more than 125 years. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. General Mills has no single controlling shareholder.
Who founded General Mills?
General Mills was formed in 1928 through the merger of Washburn-Crosby Company and several other flour milling companies. Washburn-Crosby Company was founded in 1866 by Cadwallader Washburn and John Crosby in Minneapolis, Minnesota. James Ford Bell led the 1928 merger that created General Mills. The company's origins in flour milling trace to the 1860s, making it one of the oldest consumer food companies in the United States.
Where is General Mills headquartered?
General Mills is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. The company has maintained its headquarters in the Minneapolis area since its founding, reflecting the city's historical importance as a center of flour milling and food processing. General Mills operates manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and other regions.
How many brands does General Mills own?
General Mills owns more than 100 consumer food brands across breakfast cereals, snacks, baking products, frozen foods, yogurt, and pet food. Key brands include Cheerios, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Lucky Charms, Totino's, Old El Paso, Annie's, and Blue Buffalo. The company sells products in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Who owns General Mills?
General Mills, Inc. is publicly traded on the NYSE with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Jeff Harmening serves as Chairman and CEO. General Mills has no founding family or private equity controlling shareholder.
- Founded: 1928
- Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NYSE: GIS
- Revenue: approximately $19.0 billion (FY2025, ended May 2025)
- Employees: Approximately 34,000
Where Is Yoplait Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Paris, France (SODIAAL); Minneapolis, Minnesota (General Mills)
Brands Owned by General Mills, Inc.
- Annie's - American brand of organic and natural food products including mac and cheese, sn...
- Cheerios - Iconic American breakfast cereal brand consisting of toasted oat-shaped O's, kno...
- Häagen-Dazs - Premium ice cream brand owned by Nestlé, known for high-quality ingredients and ...
- Lucky Charms - American oat and marshmallow breakfast cereal owned by General Mills, introduced...
- Totino's - Frozen pizza brand owned by General Mills, known for party pizzas and budget-fri...
- Wheaties - American whole wheat breakfast cereal owned by General Mills, introduced in 1922...
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Yoplait on AmazonCompetitors to Yoplait
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danone | France | 1987 | Mass market | Global | All Genders | |
| Chobani | USA | 2007 | Us yogurt-market-leader | United states | All-consumers | |
| Danone | France (Danone) | 1942 | Mainstream us-yogurt | United states | All-consumers | |
| 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 |
Learn More About Competitors
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.
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.
Dannon
Owned by Danone
The US commercial name for the Danone yogurt brand, owned by Danone S.A. Dannon is one of the original mass-market yogurt brands in the United States, covering mainstream stirred yogurts, Light & Fit, and the Danimals children's line.
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.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Yoplait 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.
General Mills, Inc. Stock Information
Jobs at General Mills, Inc.
Latest News About Yoplait
Related Articles About Yoplait
View more articles
Who Owns the Yogurt Market
Danone dominates global yogurt, but Chobani, General Mills, and private label have captured huge shares in the US. Here is the complete ownership map of the yogurt market, from Activia and Oikos to Chobani and Siggi's.
Soup Brand Ownership: Campbell's and Its Rivals
The Campbell's Company dropped 'Soup' from its name in 2024 but still owns Rao's, Goldfish, and Pepperidge Farm. Here is the complete ownership map of canned and packaged soup brands.
Pasta Brand Ownership: Barilla, De Cecco and Beyond
Barilla is still family-owned after 145 years. De Cecco posted record profits in 2024. Buitoni is a Nestle brand. Here is who owns the pasta brands in your kitchen.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Food & Beverage category and related searches from other users.
7 Up
American lemon-lime flavored carbonated soft drink brand known for its crisp, clean taste and caffeine-free formula.
Activia
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.
Aero
British chocolate brand known for its distinctive aerated, bubbly texture, produced and distributed by Nestle and sold primarily in the United Kingdom, Canada, and select international markets.