Skyline Chili history

In 1965, the business expanded when Skyline began packaging and selling frozen chili and chili with spaghetti to groceries.

Pete Perdikakis became the chain's youngest franchisee when he bought a Skyline franchise in 1974 when he was 22 years old.

1984: The company brings in Thomas Bell, begins expansion.

The company revamped the packaging for its frozen goods, now emphasizing that the chili was "Cincinnati-style." About 20 percent of Skyline's revenue came from frozen food sales by 1985, and total sales that year were $7.6 million.

Apparently Kagler's fiery personality had led to conflicts with Kroger's chairman, and Kagler had resigned from Kroger in 1986.

By 1988, the chain had grown to 78 units, and Bell hoped to maintain slow and steady growth of some 15 to 20 new restaurants a year.

Lambert Lambrinides told the Wall Street Journal (May 24, 1989), "It was a surprise to us that he took the job." Kagler immediately announced that the company's growth was over-extended, and within months Skyline had closed a number of unprofitable restaurants.

Sales and earnings were on the rise by 1994, and McDonnell hoped that a cautious, less ambitious expansion plan would work this time around.

Meritage withdrew its second offer in April 1997.

When the original Skyline, on Glenway Avenue, closed in 2002, a civic group auctioned off 150 ladles that had been used there through the years.

By 2004, Skyline's principal markets outside Ohio were Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky, and Indianapolis, where it had long had a presence.