For those who don’t have the slightest idea about what this Chobani Lawsuit is all about, well, just know that this time, Chobani is facing serious trouble, and no, it is not regarding the yogurt matter. It has something to do with their brewed coffee products.
The first thing that we should do is to become familiar with the characters in this play. Danone is a big name in the food and beverage industry. Their Stōk Coffee is in those stylish black bottles with vibrant colors, and in January 2021, they began to use the slogan “Bright & Mellow” to market their coffee.
On the other hand, Chobani is definitely a super popular name for their Greek yogurt. However, in 2023, they decided to make a radical move and acquired La Colombe, a premium cold brew brand, for an eye-watering $900 million. La Colombe had been a hit with its chic wrapping and delicious coffee. But after Chobani’s takeover, they began changing La Colombe’s branding, and that’s when the conflict started.
What’s the 2025 Chobani Lawsuit All About?
Just so you know: When the year 2023 was almost over, Chobani decided to change La Colombe’s cold brew bottles. They got rid of the old slogan “Bright & Flavorful” and used “Bright & Mellow.” Yes, the very same one that Stōk Coffee has been using for years. Danone isn’t convinced that it’s just a coincidence.
And it doesn’t stop there. According to Danone, La Colombe’s new bottles resemble Stōk’s a lot. They both have a black-and-yellow color scheme, and La Colombe even changed one of their roasts from medium to light, which is very similar to Stōk’s range. Danone believes that Chobani is doing this to benefit from Stōk’s brand identity; hence, they are displeased with it.
Therefore, in July 2025, Danone filed a lawsuit against them at the Manhattan federal court. They are demanding that Chobani to both desist from using the slogan and packaging and account for the profits made from these products. It is a BIG step, and we will explain it to you what it implies.
Have Danone and Chobani Fought Before?
Definitely. The two have been at it for quite a while, so it’s not their first rumble. In 2016, Danone, via the Dannon brand, filed a lawsuit against Chobani concerning a Simply 100 Greek Yogurt advertisement. They claimed Chobani was insinuating that Dannon’s yogurt contained harmful things like chlorine, while it was untrue. The court ruled in Danone’s favor on that very occasion.
Later, in 2019, Danone targeted Chobani once more, this time over sweetener statements in a Chobani kids’ yogurt drink. The outcome was in favor of Chobani. And presently, they are at it again in 2025, fighting over coffee branding.
What Does Danone Want Out of This?
The company Danone has made clear what their expectations are with no ambiguity. They are demanding the following:
Stop Chobani from using the ”Bright & Mellow” slogan and those similar bottles.
Make Chobani release the money for any revenues they have gotten from these products.
To date, Chobani hasn’t made a comment about the lawsuit. If the case goes to Danone’s side, Chobani will be the one paying for the change of La Colombe’s entire branding, the cost of which will be very high and the process will be quite long. However, if Choboni wins, they will be able to keep their existing packaging without any interference whatsoever.
Why Would You Be Interested In This?
You might be wondering, “They’re just coffee bottles, what is the big deal?” But wait, for companies like these things, brand image is everything. Businesses allocate a large amount of money to create a distinctive look and vibe for their products. If somebody else duplicates it, it is going to confuse customers, and sales will be messed up. The market for food and beverages is not growing like before, so companies are fighting more to keep their customers loyal, and that’s what this fight is all about.
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