Chobani Breaks Ground on Energy-Efficient 70,000 Square-Foot Facility

A rendering of Chobani's new energy-efficient facility in Idaho. Credit: PRNewsfoto/Chobani, LLC

Greek yogurt maker Chobani announced today that it is breaking ground on an energy-efficient 70,000 square-foot facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, for employees, guests, as well as the company’s global research and development team.

Chobani says the new center will “serve as home to our 1,000 local employees, and provide a symbolic ‘open door’ to the people who come and visit.” Plans for the facility call for a visitor’s entrance, a 2,000-square-foot fitness center overlooking the Sawtooth Mountains, wellness rooms for new mothers, and a sunny 7,000-square-foot gathering space.

“The center builds on Chobani’s longstanding commitment to the environment, utilizing innovative features to increase energy efficiency,” the company says. Transparency and sunlight are central to the design, which will have around 30,000 square feet of glass.

Sustainable aspects of the new facility include:

• Approximately 4,000-square-feet of “smart glass” windows to enhance natural light while regulating internal temperatures and reducing use of heating and air conditioning for a 20% reduction in energy consumption
• An expansive skylight at the center of the building to reduce lighting needs
• An all-LED lighting system
• 30,000-square-feet of “smart roofing” to reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption
• Pursuit of LEED Silver certification from the US Green Building Council

The yogurt maker opened its first plant in New Berlin, New York, in 2005. Then, in 2012, the company opened their second plant in Twin Falls. “Today, it is the world’s largest yogurt manufacturing facility, with nearly 1 million square-feet in size, home to our R&D operations and a representation of a $750 million investment,” according to Chobani.

Over the past five years, Chobani says it has invested more than $1 billion across the two American plants and a third in Australia.