1893

Over 27 million people flock to the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago to witness the latest inventions, including the Vienna Chicago-style hot dog, created by Austria-Hungarian immigrants Emil Reichel and Sam Ladany.

1894

Emil and Sam open their first store on Chicagos Near West Side at 417 S. Halsted Ave.

1900

The city clamors for more! So Vienna begins marketing and selling its famous products to other stores and restaurants around Chicago.

1908

Horse-drawn carriages deliver Vienna products across the Chicago area as demand gallops along.

1913

Chicago is growing fast, and so is Vienna. The company expands its operations to meet demand.

1928

Vienna goes into high gear, retiring its horses for a state-of-the-art motorized fleet.

1933

The Great Depression is raging, but Chicagoans can still enjoy a delicious, filling meal on a bun for only a nickel, thanks to Vienna hot dog carts. As a thriving group of vendors advertise their dogs as having "a salad on top," the famous Chicago-style hot dog is born.

1943

Old-world delicatessens, like Leavitt’s at Halsted and Maxwell streets, begin to feature Vienna products.

1950

Food distributors see the growing demand for higher quality products and begin to buy them from Vienna for customers in Indiana, Wisconsin and all of Illinois. Viennamania starts sweeping the nation.

1957

Vienna Beef franks "dragged through the garden" can be found at hot dog stands throughout Chicagoland.

1962

Americans start bringing Vienna into their own kitchens as Vienna enters the new supermarket trade.

1972

Vienna takes up residence on Chicago’s North Side, at 2501 N. Damen Ave., its present headquarters.

1984

Vienna starts a program of helping aspiring restaurateurs pursue their dog-stand dreams, creating a new generation of eatery entrepreneurs.

1984

Business goes sour...in a good way! The company purchases the well-known Chicago Pickle Company as it adds condiments to its product mix.

1985

Vienna spices up its product line with chili and begins making the soups that will eventually comprise the Bistro Soup Company.

1990

Vienna proves you can go home again. Nearly 100 years after Emil and Reichel bring the taste of Europe to America, Vienna turns the tables and licenses the brand to Germany’s Hein Company, giving Vienna its first taste of the international market.

1993

Vienna celebrates its 100th anniversary. Emil and Reichel would be proud.

1996

Vienna products cross the Pacific for the first time, finding new fans in Asia.

2003

Vienna builds a new Chicago Pickle Co. facility in Palmetto, Fla., to join its Los Angeles and Battle Creek, Mich., plants.

2004

Vienna enters the Guinness Book of World Records with the longest hot dog ever-37 feet and 2 inches-at the renowned Taste of Chicago food festival.

2005

Vienna and Rosen’s Buns sign a "Piece Treaty" promising hot dogs and buns will be available in equal-sized packs.

2006

Vienna hosts first annual "Fastest Making Chicago Style Hot Dog Competition," inviting vendors from around the city to compete.