Yoplait is a French-origin dairy brand best known for its yogurt and other fresh dairy products. Founded in 1965, it was created by an alliance of six French dairy cooperatives and has since grown into an internationally recognized yogurt brand. The name “Yoplait” was formed from the names of two of the founding cooperatives, Yola and Coplait. 1

Today, Yoplait is particularly associated with fruit yogurt, children’s yogurt, drinking yogurt, Greek-style and protein products, and other convenient dairy snacks. Its products and the companies operating the brand vary by country because Yoplait has historically operated through a combination of cooperative ownership, subsidiaries and international licensing/franchise arrangements.

Origins: 1964–1965

Yoplait’s story began in 1964, when six French dairy cooperatives joined together to create Sodima, with the goal of marketing their dairy products more effectively across France.

The initiative involved more than 100,000 French dairy farmers. Rather than competing individually, the cooperatives wanted to create a strong national dairy brand. Yogurt was considered particularly promising because the cooperatives believed it could become an important food for future generations. 2

In 1965, the new brand Yoplait was officially launched. The name combined Yola and Coplait, two of the cooperative brands involved in the project. The official launch took place in Paris on 25 September 1965. 3

The brand initially sold relatively simple dairy products, including plain yogurt and cream. By 1967, Yoplait had introduced its first fruit-flavored yogurts.

The Little Flower logo

One of Yoplait’s most recognizable assets is its flower logo.

The original flower had six petals, with each petal representing one of the six founding dairy cooperatives. This became an important visual representation of Yoplait’s cooperative origins.

The flower is sometimes referred to as Yoplait’s “Little Flower” or Petite Fleur. It remains central to the brand’s identity, although the logo itself has been redesigned over the decades. 4

Yoplait also used a cartoon cow named Michonnette in its early advertising. She was created by French poster artist Raymond Savignac and became one of the brand’s earliest advertising characters.

Yoplait did not remain a French-only brand for long.

In 1969, Switzerland became the first market outside France to sell Yoplait through an international franchise agreement. The brand subsequently expanded into North America. By 1971, Yoplait was being sold in the United States and Quebec. 5

This international franchise model became an important part of Yoplait’s development. Instead of operating exactly the same way in every country, Yoplait established partnerships with local companies that manufactured, marketed or distributed products under the Yoplait name.

That helps explain why Yoplait’s product range can look very different from one country to another.

One of the most important chapters in Yoplait’s history occurred in the United States.

In 1977, General Mills obtained exclusive U.S. marketing rights for Yoplait from Sodima. General Mills also acquired the yogurt manufacturing facility associated with Yoplait’s American operations.

Yoplait quickly became an important American yogurt brand. General Mills used advertising emphasizing Yoplait’s French origins, including campaigns featuring American celebrities speaking French.

This was a major turning point because General Mills had the resources to introduce Yoplait to a much larger American consumer audience.

In 2002, Sodiaal sold a 50% stake in Yoplait to private-equity firm PAI Partners.

In 2011, General Mills acquired a 51% controlling stake in Yoplait’s main operating business, with Sodiaal retaining an interest. General Mills described the acquisition as part of its strategy to expand Yoplait internationally, particularly in emerging markets.

For much of the 2010s, therefore, Yoplait was closely associated with General Mills in major markets such as the United States.

The ownership structure changed again in the 2020s.

In 2021, Yoplait became part of Sodiaal, the French dairy cooperative that had originally created the brand. Sodiaal describes Yoplait as becoming 100% cooperative again in 2021. 7

This was symbolically significant because Yoplait had returned to the cooperative roots from which it originated in the 1960s.

It is important, however, not to interpret this as meaning that every Yoplait product sold worldwide is necessarily manufactured or managed directly by Sodiaal. Yoplait has a long history of international partnerships, licenses and local operating companies.

Yoplait’s product portfolio is broad and differs considerably between markets.

In the United States, for example, the current Yoplait range includes:

• Yoplait Original
• Yoplait Protein
• Greek
• Whips!
• Go-GURT
• Enjoy ZERO
• Tub yogurts
• Single-serve yogurts
• Multi-packs
• Children’s products
• Various fruit and dessert-inspired flavors

The U.S. product catalog currently lists dozens of products and flavors. 6

In France, Yoplait’s portfolio includes brands such as Perle de Lait, Panier de Yoplait, Yop, Petits Filous, Calin and Liberté, illustrating how Yoplait’s product architecture differs between countries.

Innovation has been central to Yoplait’s development.

The company describes itself as an early innovator in areas such as fruit yogurt and drinking yogurt. It has also developed products designed specifically for children and convenient on-the-go consumption.

One particularly notable innovation was the yogurt tube. Yoplait’s U.S. business introduced Go-GURT, while other Yoplait markets developed tube-format children’s products such as Frubes. Yoplait’s industry history identifies the late 1990s as an important period for the development of snack-style yogurt tubes.

The brand has subsequently expanded beyond traditional yogurt cups into drinkable, squeezable, high-protein and other convenience-oriented formats.

Yoplait’s identity is strongly connected with several ideas:

French Heritage

Although Yoplait is now an international brand, its French origin remains an important part of its identity.

The company frequently emphasizes French dairy expertise and its historical connection to French farmers and cooperatives.

The Flower

The flower is probably Yoplait’s most recognizable visual asset.

It represents the six cooperatives that came together to create the brand and has remained part of Yoplait packaging for decades.

Family Orientation

Yoplait has traditionally positioned many of its products around families and children, while also developing products aimed at adults.

This is particularly visible in products such as Go-GURT and other children’s yogurt formats, alongside protein and adult-oriented products. 6

Taste and Enjoyment

Rather than positioning itself exclusively as a health or functional-food brand, Yoplait has historically emphasized taste, pleasure and everyday consumption. Its current brand story similarly emphasizes enjoying everyday moments through yogurt.

Yoplait has developed a significant international footprint through licensing, partnerships and local operations.

General Mills reported that Yoplait products were available in more than 70 countries during the period when General Mills held a majority stake in the global business, with major markets including France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Australia and Israel. 7

The precise product portfolio and ownership arrangements differ by market.

For example:

In France, Yoplait’s portfolio includes brands such as Perle de Lait, Panier de Yoplait, Yop, Petits Filous, Calin and Liberté, illustrating how Yoplait’s product architecture differs between countries.

The brand has subsequently expanded beyond traditional yogurt cups into drinkable, squeezable, high-protein and other convenience-oriented formats.

Regional Operations

• France: Yoplait is connected to Sodiaal and its French dairy cooperative network.
• United States: Yoplait became closely associated with General Mills; the U.S. business has subsequently undergone further ownership changes.
• United Kingdom: Yoplait has operated in the market since 1991. 8
• Australia: Yoplait entered Australian supermarkets in 1982, with the Australian business developing locally manufactured products. 9
• Ireland: Yoplait entered the market in 1973 and later developed products such as Frubes.

Yoplait’s French operations have a particularly strong connection to Sodiaal’s farmer cooperative structure.

Yoplait says that its French factories in Vienne, Le Mans and Monéteau process French milk supplied by farmers belonging to the Sodiaal cooperative. The company emphasizes local milk collection and production in France for its European products.

This cooperative structure is one of the most distinctive aspects of Yoplait compared with many multinational food brands.

Yoplait’s connection with Sodiaal gives the brand a distinctive ownership story.

Instead of originating as a conventional privately founded food company, Yoplait emerged from farmer cooperatives pooling their resources. The cooperative model remains important to its identity today. Sodiaal describes its model as being based on solidarity among dairy farmers, consumers and regional communities.

Yoplait also emphasizes local milk sourcing and the relationship between its factories and the farmers supplying them.

Yoplait is significant because it helped transform yogurt from a relatively traditional dairy product into a broad consumer category involving:

• Fruit-flavored yogurt
• Children’s yogurt
• Drinking yogurt
• Snack-format yogurt
• Dessert-style yogurt
• Protein-focused yogurt
• Convenient single-serving formats

Its international franchise model also allowed the same basic brand to be adapted to different markets.

In other words, Yoplait is not simply a yogurt company; it is a global dairy brand built around a French cooperative heritage and adapted to local markets around the world.

The Yoplait flower is arguably as important to the brand as its name.

The original six-petal flower represented the six founding cooperatives. Yoplait later modified the design, including a notable change to the number and appearance of the petals. Nevertheless, the flower remained recognizable enough to provide continuity across generations of packaging.

This is an effective example of a food brand retaining a distinctive visual asset while modernizing its overall identity.

The historical milestones are documented by Yoplait, General Mills and Sodiaal.

Yoplait is a French-founded global yogurt brand established in 1965 by six dairy cooperatives. Its name comes from Yola and Coplait, while its famous flower symbolizes the six founding cooperatives. The brand expanded internationally through licensing and partnerships, became particularly successful in the United States through General Mills, and ultimately returned to cooperative ownership under Sodiaal in 2021.

Its enduring appeal comes from the combination of French dairy heritage, strong visual branding, fruit and flavored yogurts, family-oriented products, product innovation and international adaptability.

1. How Yoplait got its start – General Mills
2. About Yoplait | Our Story | Yoplait UK
3. About Us – Yoplait
4. Yoplait Company History | Yoplait Yogurt Ireland
5. Our Story | Yoplait History, Logo & More
6. Yoplait Yogurt Products & Flavors | Gluten Free, Protein & Kids
7. Yoplait ouvre une nouvelle page de son histoire — Yoplait
8. À propos de nous — Yoplait
9. THE Yoplait STORY