Vienna Beef facts for kids
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| Industry | Food |
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| Founded | 1893 |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
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Key people
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Jack Bodman (CEO) |
| Products | Hot dogs, pickles, various |
| Revenue | $130 million |
Vienna Beef Inc. is a famous company that makes hot dogs, especially the ones used in the classic Chicago-style hot dog. They also make other tasty foods like Polish sausage and Italian beef. You can find their products at many hot dog stands and restaurants in Chicago. Some of their deli meats are even sold in supermarkets around the Chicago area.
The company's main office is in Chicago, Illinois, near the Chicago River. Vienna Beef has been in Chicago since 1893, starting during the big Columbian Exposition event. In 2016, their factory moved to a new location in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.
Contents
The Story of Vienna Beef
How It All Started
The company began with two friends, Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany. They came to Chicago from Vienna, Austria, in the 1890s. During the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, they sold their delicious hot dogs to all the visitors. People loved them!
In 1894, Reichel and Ladany opened their first hot dog shop in Chicago. By 1900, Vienna Beef started selling and delivering their products to other stores and restaurants across the city.
The Famous Chicago-Style Hot Dog
During the Great Depression, many Vienna Beef sellers started adding a "salad on top" to their hot dogs. This idea grew into what we now know as the traditional Chicago-style hot dog, loaded with toppings.
Growing Across the Country
In the 1950s, Vienna Beef began selling its products in other states in the Midwest. By the 1960s, you could even find Vienna Beef hot dogs in supermarkets, making them available to even more families.
A Key Person: Henry Davis
Henry Davis (1904–1974) was a very important person for Vienna Beef. He helped make Vienna Beef the hot dog of Chicago. Henry was honored by the company, the City of Chicago, and the State of Illinois for helping create so many independent hot dog stands in the city. There's even a special collection of his documents and photos at the Chicago Historical Society Archives.
Company Earnings
In 2015, Vienna Beef made about $130 million in sales. This shows how popular their products are!
