In celebration of its rich Greek heritage and its pivotal role in popularizing Greek cuisine in America, Grecian Delight | Kronos recently held a series of events marking its 50th anniversary, including free gyros for 50 minutes.
That was at the Taste of Greektown festival in Chicago, which drew the town’s Mayor and Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas joining company founder Peter Parthenis and his son, Pete, Jr. who is President and CEO.
Peter Parthenis, an immigrant from Vonitsa, Greece, brought gyros to the masses and made his product one of the most recognized Mediterranean food specialties in the USA.
From the inception of the gyros machine and making the Greek delicacy known to the vast American food market, to the introduction of countless Mediterranean offerings by Grecian Delight, Parthenis Sr. helped drive the burgeoning consumer demand for Mediterranean Foods in the US.
A pioneer in bringing Greek and Mediterranean cuisine to the US, the company kicked off the milestone celebration with a special event at its world headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, attended by employees, community leaders, friends and family.
Delight | Kronos celebration included free gyros
The gathering honored the dedication and hard work of its team, who have played a crucial role in establishing Grecian Delight | Kronos as a leader in its field.
“It was important for us to honor not just our employees but also the community that has supported us,” said Parthenis, Jr. “My father founded this company with the vision of bringing families together around the Greek food he loved and grew up with,” he added.
“That vision remains at the heart of our business today, and we wanted to express our gratitude to everyone who has contributed to turning my father’s dream into a reality.”
The celebration extended to the Taste of Greektown Festival in downtown Chicago, where Grecian Delight | Kronos kicked off the event by serving free gyros for 50 minutes. This special gesture was a way for the company to thank the community and celebrate its enduring connection to Greek American culture.
“We wanted to do something fun and meaningful to give back to the Hellenic community,” said Parthenis, Jr. “This was a unique way for us to showcase our signature gyros while celebrating our heritage. We are incredibly proud of our roots and deeply humbled by the fact that Grecian Delight | Kronos is now enjoyed by so many across the country.”
Grecian Delight | Kronos produces over 350 products, from gyros and ready-to-eat meats to pitas, specialty flatbreads, falafel, hummus, dips, and spreads, sold in over 50,000 locations in America.
It has three production facilities in Chicago and employs almost one thousand people. Products are shipped throughout the US and abroad to Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Europe.
When Grecian Delight and Kronos merged in 2020, it was the vision of the Parthenis family and the investment partners, EP2, that brought these two companies together to create a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Related: Peter Parthenis: From Greek Immigrant to Gyros King of America
