Vienna Beef Plans 125th Anniversary Celebration

CHICAGO - May 2, 2018 - PRLog -- Vienna Beef, Chicago's legendary manufacturer of beef hot dogs, sausages, and other premium food products, has announced a series of special events in honor of the company's 125^th anniversary. The anniversary will culminate in a special celebration at the company's Damen Avenue headquarters on Chicago's North Side on August 1, 2018.

Vienna Beef franks are the foundation for the classic Chicago Style hot dog enjoyed throughout the country and around the world.  A unique combination of colors, textures, and savory flavors, a true Vienna Beef Chicago Style dog is topped with yellow mustard, chopped white onion, bright green relish, sliced tomatoes, a kosher pickle, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt, all nestled in a steamed poppy seed bun.

The Vienna Beef hot dog made its debut at the storied 1893 Chicago World's Fair/Columbian Exposition at a stand operated by Austrian-Hungarian immigrants Emil Reichel and Samuel Ladany. The partners opened the first Vienna Sausage store the following year on the near West Side and soon expanded by selling to other stores and restaurants. Over the decades, the brand became ubiquitous at hot dog stands, ball parks, and backyard barbecues nationwide, synonymous with one of the earliest examples of branding - the famous "V and hot dog on a fork" logo.

Vienna Beef's 125^th anniversary events will emphasize the company's deep roots in the Chicago community. Highlights of the summer-long celebration will include:

·        The grand opening of the Vienna Beef History Museum on May 30, 2018 at the company's headquarters at 2501 N. Damen Avenue in Chicago. The Museum will be open Monday – Friday from 10am – 2pm and offer visitors a chance to experience the evolution of the classic Chicago Style hot dog.

·        Opportunities for customers to celebrate with their favorite hot dog stand and share "Vienna Beef Memories" and photos through social media using the hashtag #125YearsOfVB, with the chance to participate in the company's commemorative anniversary poster.

·        A 125^th Anniversary Celebration event on August 1 from 10am – 2pm, honoring all 125 inductees in the company's "Hot Dog Hall of Fame", along with tours of the Vienna Beef History Museum, free hot dogs, music, and more.

·        The Official Hot Dog of the Chicago History Museum (https://www.chicagohistory.org/)'s 2018 Chicago Hot Dog Fest, held August 10-12.

·        The launch of a new company website highlighting the anniversary and its theme line, "Celebrating 125 Years. Chicago Style!"

"We're honored to bring our community together to celebrate 125 years of Chicago's hot dog," says Jim Bodman, Vienna Beef Chairman and CEO. "This is a great opportunity to salute the hot dog stands and local businesses who have made Chicago Style hot dogs part of our collective memories, as well as show our appreciation to our customers and employees for their loyal support."

For more information about Vienna Beef, visit ViennaBeef.com.

About Vienna Beef   "Celebrating 125 Years. Chicago Style!"

Founded in 1893, Vienna Beef manufactures and distributes beef hot dogs and sausages following its time-honored original recipes, with premium domestic beef hickory-smoked for authentic flavor. The company also produces pickles and condiments, soups and chilis, and other premium top-quality foods, distributed throughout the United States. Vienna Beef products are available at hot dog stands and restaurants, retail stores, online, and at the company's factory store in Chicago. Learn more at ViennaBeef.com.