Starbucks jumping into Greek yogurt craze

7/23/2013

NEW YORK — Starbucks wants a taste of the Greek yogurt craze.

The Seattle-based coffee chain says it’s teaming up with French food and drink company Danone to sell Greek yogurt parfaits. The ready-to-eat cups will arrive in its U.S. cafes in the spring of 2014, eventually replacing the yogurt cups the chain currently sells.

They’ll be called “Evolution Fresh inspired by Dannon” and roll out to grocery stores in 2015.

Financial terms of the multiyear deal weren’t disclosed.

Greek yogurt, which is thicker and has a tarter taste, has surged in popularity in recent years and now accounts for more than a third of the market, according to Bernstein Research. Fans like that Greek yogurt tends to have more protein and less sugar than the sweeter, thinner varieties traditionally sold in American supermarkets.

The popularity of brands such as Chobani has prompted makers of traditional supermarket yogurt, such as General Mills’ Yoplait, to scramble to introduce Greek varieties.

Danone, which makes Dannon yogurt in the U.S., also sells Oikos Greek yogurt.

The companies say distribution will eventually expand to targeted markets outside the U.S.

The move also builds on Starbucks’ push to improve its food. It has been introducing Evolution Fresh juices and plans to roll out new baked goods in the year ahead. New sandwiches and salads were also recently introduced.