Devanco Foods
Devanco Foods is a privately held, family-owned food manufacturer founded in 1993 in Carol Stream, Illinois, producing gyros, Italian beef, burgers, beef bacon, hummus, and plant-based products for foodservice distributors and grocery retail across the U.S.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersCarol Stream, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Devanco Foods does
Devanco Foods is a privately held, family-owned food manufacturer founded in 1993 in Carol Stream, Illinois, specializing in Chicago-style Mediterranean and beef products. Its core offerings include traditional and chicken gyros (in cone, loaf, sliced, and IQF strip formats), Italian beef, burgers, deli meats, Philly steak, French dip, pot roast, and beef bacon, manufactured at a 105,000 sq ft SQF Certified facility housing 15+ production and packaging lines. The company has expanded its portfolio through four wholly-owned subsidiary acquisitions — Zacca Hummus (2018), Gridley Meats / Halal (2018), Eleni's Plant-Based Products (2018), and Schmacon beef bacon with its patented process (2019) — and holds a co-branding partnership with Mike Ditka for retail Italian beef and giardiniera launched in 2010.
Devanco operates a dual-channel business model, selling wholesale prepared meat products to foodservice operators (restaurants, hotels, institutional kitchens, and caterers) via a regional sales rep network and food service distributors, while also distributing branded retail SKUs — including gyro kits, burgers, beef bacon, hummus, and Ditka's Italian Beef — through grocery retailers nationwide. Product differentiators include MSG-free and halal/kosher/non-GMO certified offerings on select SKUs, a patented beef bacon process, and a "Chicago's First and Finest Gyros" brand identity. Revenue mechanics are wholesale/one-time-sale based across both channels; the company does not publicly disclose pricing.
Ownership has been held since 2004 by a private group led by CEO Peter Bartzis that grew the business from $3M to $10M historically, with subsequent capacity expansion, acquisitions, and award recognition (2020 Frozen Food Processor of the Year; 2022 Refrigerated Foods Processor of the Year). International growth is being pursued via a dedicated Director of Export Relationships role, with Schmacon positioned as a globally expanding line. The company carries no disclosed external funding, has 101–250 employees, and holds certifications including SQF, HACCP, PCQI, FDA, USDA Grant of Inspection, Halal, Kosher, and Non-GMO.
Devanco Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Devanco Foods
- Legal name
- Devanco Foods
- Website
- https://devancofoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Devanco Foods is a privately held, family-owned food manufacturer founded in 1993 in Carol Stream, Illinois, producing gyros, Italian beef, burgers, beef bacon, hummus, and plant-based products for foodservice distributors and grocery retail across the U.S.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Devanco Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Prepared Meat Products
- NAICS
- Meat Processed from Carcasses (311612), Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116), Food Manufacturing (311)
- SIC
- Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Food And Kindred Products (2000)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Frozen Meat & Poultry Meals & Value-Added Proteins (CRADADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Frozen Entrées & Complete Meals (CRADADAA), Jerky & Meat Snacks (CRADABAK), Meal kits & subscription meal components manufacturing (AFAKAHAD)
Keywords
Where Devanco Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carol Stream
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Devanco Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Food Service Products: Wholesale distribution of prepared meat products to foodservice operators including restaurants, hotels, and institutional food service providers. Products include gyros, Italian beef, deli meats, and more.
- Retail Products: Consumer packaged goods sold through retail grocery stores including gyro kits, burgers, beef bacon, hummus, and branded products like Ditka's Italian Beef.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels2 records
Devanco Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Devanco Foods manufactures and distributes Chicago-style prepared meat products — primarily gyros (beef and chicken), Italian beef, French dip, burgers, deli meats, halal meats, beef bacon (Schmacon), Philly steak, and pot roast — for foodservice operators and retailers, with complementary hummus, pita, tzatziki, and plant-based offerings. The company serves two channels: a B2B foodservice arm selling through distributors to restaurants, hotels, and institutions, and a B2C retail arm selling branded and private-label packaged products through grocery stores.
Product overview
Devanco Foods is a family-owned food manufacturing company offering a diversified portfolio of meat products across both retail and foodservice channels. The core product lines include Traditional Gyros and Chicken Gyros (in various formats from cones to sliced), Italian Beef products, Burgers (including Angus and specialty varieties), Beef Bacon/Schmacon, Deli Meats, and Pita Bread & Tzatziki. The company has expanded through strategic acquisitions including Zacca Hummus (farm-to-table hummus products), Gridley Meats (Halal beef and deli items), Eleni's Plant-Based Products, and Schmacon (Certified Angus Beef brand beef bacon with patented process). A notable retail sub-brand is Ditka's Products (Mike Ditka's Chicago Style Italian Beef and Giardiniera). Products are manufactured at a 105,000 sq ft SQF Certified facility in Carol Stream, IL.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zacca Hummus: The only true Farm to Table Hummus, made with sustainably grown garbanzo beans from 4th generation farm in Northwest Palouse region.
- Schmacon
- Ditka's Products
- Gridley Meats
- Eleni's Plant-Based Products
- Marathon Chicken Patties
Products and services
- Traditional Gyros Traditional gyros products in Original, Mykonos, and Old Chicago varieties, available in cone, loaf, cooked & sliced, and IQF strips formats for foodservice operators.
- Chicken Gyros
- Italian Beef Chicago-style Italian beef products including sliced, whole, with gravy, oven roasted, and all natural varieties, sold to foodservice operators and under the Ditka's retail brand.
- Burgers Hamburger products including Homestyle Pure Beef, Angus Pure Beef, Beef Bacon & Cheddar, and Seasoned varieties, plus Mediterranean and Southwestern style Marathon chicken patties.
- Beef Bacon / Schmacon Beef bacon products including Schmacon Certified Angus Beef brand (smoked uncured, hickory smoked) and Gridley Breakfast Beef Bacon, with lower cholesterol, fat, and sodium than pork bacon.
- Zacca Hummus Farm-to-table hummus made with sustainably grown garbanzo beans from the Northwest Palouse region, in Traditional, Spicy Mediterranean, Roasted Red Pepper, and Poblano Pepper varieties. Non-GMO, Gluten Free, no artificial preservatives.
- Pita Bread & Tzatziki Pita bread in 6 and 7 inch sizes (fresh and frozen) and Tzatziki sauce in multiple sizes including Greek Yogurt varieties.
- Deli Meats Deli meat products including Pastrami, Corned Beef, Roast Beef, and Italian Style Roast Beef in various cuts, including Gridley brand and Halal certified options.
- Halal Products Halal certified products including beef burgers, gyros (beef and chicken), Italian beef, and breakfast slices from the Gridley brand.
- Philly Steak Philly steak products available in beef and chicken varieties, sold sliced in 4-6 oz portions for foodservice use.
- French Dip French dip products with au jus gravy, available in various portion sizes for foodservice operators.
- Pot Roast Pot roast products including oven roasted beef pot roast with gravy for foodservice operators.
- Plant-Based Products (Eleni's) Plant-based meat alternatives acquired through Eleni's Plant-Based Products, expanding the product variety offered to foodservice and retail customers.
- Gyro Kits Ready-to-heat gyro sandwich kits containing fully cooked gyro slices, tzatziki sauce, and pita bread. MSG-free options available in traditional and chicken varieties for retail consumers.
- Gyro Slices Pre-sliced gyro products including MSG-free gyros slices in 1.5 lb packs for retail sale to consumers.
- Ditka's Products Mike Ditka branded Chicago Style Italian Beef and Giardiniera peppers (mild and hot), marketed as Da Coach's Hall of Fame recipes with authentic Chicago flavor.
- Gridley Meats Full line of Halal beef and deli items acquired in 2018, including beef bologna, beef salami, beef pepperoni, and breakfast slices.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2020 Frozen Food Processor of the Year - Refrigerated & Frozen Foods Magazine
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Devanco Foods
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Devanco Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Devanco Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SchmaconcoreAcquired Schmacon in 2019, bringing a patented process for beef bacon products. Schmacon is a Certified Angus Beef brand beef bacon that has a globally expanding product line.
- Zacca HummuscoreAcquired Zacca Hummus in 2018. Described as 'The only true Farm to Table Hummus' made with sustainably grown garbanzo beans from a 4th generation farm in the Northwest Palouse region.
- Gridley MeatsminorAcquired Gridley Meats in 2018. Provides a full line of Halal beef and deli items.
- Eleni's Plant-Based ProductsminorAcquired Eleni's Plant-Based Products in 2018. Provides plant-based meat alternatives.
- Mike Ditka (Da Coach)corePartnership with Mike Ditka (Da Coach) to bring his Chicago Style Italian Beef and Giardiniera to retail. The partnership expanded Devanco Foods into the retail sector in 2010. Ditka is personally involved in the selection of all food products that carry his name.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Devanco Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Halal Pastures: Halal Pastures produces halal-certified beef burgers, gyros, and deli meats. It directly parallels Devanco's Gridley Meats halal product line.
- Grecian Delight Foods: Grecian Delight produces gyros, souvlaki, and Mediterranean meat products for foodservice and retail channels. It directly overlaps Devanco's flagship gyro and pita product portfolio.
- Vienna Beef: Vienna Beef is a Chicago institution manufacturing Italian beef, hot dogs, and deli meats for foodservice. It competes head-to-head with Devanco's Italian beef and deli meats categories.
- Kronos Foods: Kronos Foods is a Chicago-based manufacturer of gyros, doner kebabs, and related Mediterranean proteins serving foodservice and retail. It is the closest direct competitor to Devanco's core traditional gyros and chicken gyros lines.
- Chicago Meat Authority: Chicago Meat Authority is a Chicago-based protein processor and distributor serving foodservice and retail with specialty and portion-controlled meats. Comparable to Devanco in geography, customer base, and protein category focus.
Broad incumbents
- Tyson Foods: Tyson Foods is a massive protein manufacturer with broad retail and foodservice presence including prepared meats, burgers, and international exports. Comparable to Devanco at the broad category and channel level.
- Hebrew National (Conagra): Hebrew National, owned by Conagra, produces kosher deli meats and beef products. Comparable to Devanco's kosher-certified deli meats across retail channels.
- Dietz & Watson: Dietz & Watson is a larger specialty deli meat and protein manufacturer serving foodservice and retail. Comparable to Devanco's deli meats and beef bacon product lines at greater scale.
- Sabra Dipping Company: Sabra is the leading hummus brand in the U.S. retail channel. Comparable to Devanco's Zacca Hummus line as a competing hummus offering.
Emerging players
- Beyond Meat: Beyond Meat is a leading plant-based protein brand with retail and foodservice distribution. Comparable to Devanco's Eleni's Plant-Based subsidiary in the same category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Devanco Foods social profiles
Digital presenceDevanco Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Devanco Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Devanco Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Devanco Foods subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Devanco Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Devanco Foods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Devanco Foods
What does Devanco Foods do?
Devanco Foods manufactures and distributes Chicago-style prepared meat products — primarily gyros (beef and chicken), Italian beef, French dip, burgers, deli meats, halal meats, beef bacon (Schmacon), Philly steak, and pot roast — for foodservice operators and retailers, with complementary hummus, pita, tzatziki, and plant-based offerings. The company serves two channels: a B2B foodservice arm selling through distributors to restaurants, hotels, and institutions, and a B2C retail arm selling branded and private-label packaged products through grocery stores.
Is Devanco Foods a public or private company?
Devanco Foods is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Devanco Foods founded?
Devanco Foods was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Devanco Foods based?
Devanco Foods is headquartered in Carol Stream, United States, in the North America region.
How does Devanco Foods make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Food Service Products are the primary driver. The others are retail Products.
Who are Devanco Foods's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Halal Pastures, Grecian Delight Foods, Vienna Beef, Kronos Foods and Chicago Meat Authority. Broad incumbents are Tyson Foods, Hebrew National (Conagra), Dietz & Watson and Sabra Dipping Company. Beyond Meat is listed as an emerging player.
Does Devanco Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Devanco Foods.
What industry is Devanco Foods in?
Devanco Foods's product category is Prepared Meat Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADADAH, Frozen Meat & Poultry Meals & Value-Added Proteins, with a secondary code of CRADADAA, Frozen Entrées & Complete Meals. Its NAICS code is 311612 and its SIC code is 2013.