Expect to see a new Greek yogurt menu in participating Starbucks in Spring 2014. This new yogurt menu is part of a new partnership between the coffee giant and French based yogurt maker Danone. A ready-to-eat Greek yogurt parfait will be the first product under the new line, which will be a part of Starbucks-owned food brand Evolution Fresh. The new line will be known as "Evolution Fresh, inspired by Dannon," and will later hit grocery stores by 2015.
No word yet if the Walt Disney World Starbucks locations will get the Greek yogurt line.
Danone's Dannon brand is by far the largest yogurt brand in the U.S. with 27.9% of the market share. There is still the possibility of major growth in the yogurt market in the U.S. Currently Europe outpaces America with three times as much yogurt consumption. In the U.S. market, Greek style yogurt makes 40% of overall yogurt consumption.
“With a fast-growing but still low penetration of the yogurt category, the U.S. remains a key growth opportunity for Danone,” said Danone Chief Executive Officer Franck Riboud. “The recent success of the Greek segment and our Oikos brand have confirmed the growing appeal of tasty and nutritious yogurts for U.S. consumers and established Dannon’s leadership in the market. We believe this attraction will be further enhanced by our new access to millions of consumers through distribution in Starbucks stores, as well as through the addition of an exciting new brand, Evolution Fresh, inspired by Dannon.”
Part of the issue facing Starbucks, though, is American's interaction with the coffee shops. While in France, 28% of all sales come from food, in the U.S. only 19% of sales come from food. This is still larger than other emerging markets for the Seattle brand. China comes in the lowest in food sales with only 10%.
In America, Starbucks faces stiff competition from Panera, McDonald's and Dunkin Donuts.
