Kronos Foods

In 1975, Chicago entrepreneur Chris Tomaras saw an opportunity in the city's growing love for gyros. He noticed that the quality and taste of the Greek delicacy varied from one restaurant to another. Tomaras decided to create a standardized, high-quality product, and with that, Kronos Foods was born. The company became a pioneer in manufacturing and marketing pre-formed gyro cones, essentially creating a consistent and reliable supply for foodservice customers. This focus on a single, well-executed product allowed Kronos to become the largest gyro manufacturer in the world. The company's playbook was simple: provide restaurants with the core ingredients they needed to easily serve gyros to their own customers. Over the years, Kronos expanded its product line to include other Mediterranean foods like pita, hummus, and baklava, distributing them through various channels, from major retailers to grocery chains. The company's journey took a significant turn through a series of acquisitions. After being sold to a private equity firm in 1994, it changed hands again in 2016 when Grey Mountain Partners acquired it. In 2020, another private equity firm, Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (E2P), acquired Kronos. Shortly after, E2P merged Kronos with its longtime Chicago rival, Grecian Delight, creating a powerhouse in Mediterranean and global cuisine. This merger brought together two companies, founded just a year apart, to accelerate growth and expand their offerings.