Our History
Christ Panos Foods was started by Christ Panos in 1975 and remains a family business today. Mr. Panos immigrated from Ipiros, Greece to the United States in 1947. Being entrepreneurial and hard-working, eventually he would open his own restaurant in 1967, Mr. C’s, on the corner of Kimball Avenue and Peterson Avenue in Chicago. Mr. Panos was very driven to continue providing for his family and explored more opportunities in foodservice by starting his own distribution company in 1975 and using the family station wagon to deliver butter and eggs to local restaurants.
This is the family rooted integrity and drive that continues today. Christ Panos Foods is still family owned and has grown into a broadline foodservice distributor, being led by the second generation of the Panos family. This leadership has successfully grown the business by consistently delivering quality exclusive and national brands to local establishments and regional chains in Illinois and surrounding states. The family’s initiative continues to be unparalleled customer service, quality products, and detailed attention to food safety. Being a respected member of UniPro Foodservice has enriched this focus by strengthening Panos’ purchasing opportunities and buying power. Prices are competitive with larger distributors, but the close customer relationship and personal touch are what sets Panos apart in the foodservice industry.Panos Timeline
Immigrant Startup - Christ Panos immigrates to the United States from Northern Ipiros, Greece in 1947. After operating restaurants in Chicagoland for several years he begins distributing refrigerated foods out of a van in Chicago, Illinois.
New Warehouse - Under the entrepreneurial drive of Mr. Panos, business flourishes and Christ Panos Foods purchases a 3,000 square foot warehouse on Cicero Avenue in Chicago.
Father and Son - Sam Panos begins working at his father’s company full time (Sam is the current President and CEO of Christ Panos Foods)
Move to Fulton St. - Business continues to expand, and the company relocates to a warehouse with more space on Fulton Street in Chicago.
Family Business - Mr. Panos’ other children, Bobby and Koula begin working for the family business and still work to this day. Bobby currently holds the position of Vice President and Koula is the Director of Human Resources.
Expanding - Panos outgrows its warehouse space on Fulton Street and purchases a 30,000 square foot warehouse on 21st Street in Chicago to provide additional space for the thriving foodservice distribution operation.
Joined Pocahontas Foods - Joined Pocahontas Foods Buying Group to increase purchasing power to strategically obtain further growth capabilities.
Expanding in Chicago - Christ Panos Foods purchases an additional 25,000 square feet of dry warehouse space across the street from its 30,000 square foot warehouse.
Retirement - Mr. Panos and his wife, Amalia, retire, officially leaving the family in charge of the business he began in 1975.
UniPro Merger - Merged into UniPro Foodservice buying group. In doing so, the business continues to grow and poises itself for further expansion.
End of an Era - Beloved founder of Christ Panos Foods, Christ Panos, passes away.
Move to Itasca IL - Still family owned and with business continuing to flourish, Christ Panos Foods moves from its warehouses in Chicago to its current 120,000 square foot location in the northwestern Chicago suburb of Itasca, Illinois.
Food Safety Certified - Christ Panos Foods becomes SQF Certified, officially demonstrating that food safety and quality controls have been effectively implemented, validated, and monitored.
Expanding - Christ Panos Foods leases additional warehouse space on Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village, IL expanding warehouse capacity by 60,000 square feet to accommodate double digit sales growth.
Acquisition - Christ Panos Foods purchases Grecian Delight/Kronos Foods distribution business incorporating sales related staff, assets, and territory into the Christ Panos Foods Corporation.
Receives UniPro Foodservice 2021 Key Distributor Award - This award recognizes UniPro member companies for their exceptional accomplishments and growth, their dedicated participation in UniPro Procurement, Logistics, Sales and Marketing programs, and their strong commitment to the UniPro organization.
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