# Yasso: Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-09-25
- Length: 1h 12m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington

## Summary

Amanda Klane and Drew Harrington, co-founders of Yasso, explain how they defied industry experts to create a frozen Greek yogurt bar, navigating early recipe failures and manufacturing rejections to secure a trial run with Mr. Cookie Face. They detail the operational chaos of their early scaling, including a truck accident, packaging errors, and a near-disastrous wet check from Costco, while building a brand that eventually attracted competitors like Ben & Jerry's and Unilever. The founders discuss their strategic decision to prioritize taste and mainstream retail placement over niche diet trends, leading to profitability and a eventual acquisition by Unilever.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=0) Introduction: Yasso and the Beer Pong Prequel
- [4:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=269) Amanda's Food Brokerage Background and Drew's Poolside Pong
- [17:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=1020) The Idea: Freezing Greek Yogurt and Finding a Name
- [22:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=1336) Recipe Development: University of Nebraska and Ice Cream School
- [33:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=2010) Manufacturing Rejections and the Mr. Cookie Face Trial
- [41:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=2508) Retail Strategy: Costco, BJ's, and the Wet Check
- [51:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=3078) Early Chaos: Truck Accidents, Upside-Down Packaging, and Slotting Fees
- [55:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=3345) Scaling, Profitability, and Competition from Ben & Jerry's
- [1:05:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-09-25-yasso-amanda-klane-and-drew-harrington#t=3951) Navigating Trends: Halo Top, Pints, and the Unilever Acquisition

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Yasso (product)
- Ben & Jerry's (company)
- Chobani (company)
- Mr. Cookie Face (company)
- Fat Boy (company)
- Costco (company)
- BJ's (company)
- Unilever (company)
- Halo Top (company)
- Weight Watchers (company)
- Skinny Cow (company)
- University of Nebraska (other)
- Penn State University (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Feature:  Elan Halpern & Kiki Couchman of Sourmilk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-07-founder-feature-elan-halpern-kiki-couchman-of-sourmilk) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Ehime Eigbe-Akindele of Sweet Kiwi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-02-07-founder-feature-ehime-eigbe-akindele-of-sweet-kiwi) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Bringing Froyo Back, Building in Public, and Why Pressure is a Privilege - Ashley Whalen of Chara](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-29-founder-feature-bringing-froyo-back-building-in-public-and-why-pressure-is-a-pri) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Hannah Pollack of Nightingale Ice Cream](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-10-founder-feature-hannah-pollack-of-nightingale-ice-cream) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich of Gato Dates](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-03-founder-feature-gabriella-labi-and-tonya-reznikovich-of-gato-dates) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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