George A. Kalkounos Obituary

George A. Kalkounos, a prominent restaurateur and founder of the Chicago Prime restaurant group, died February 17, 2026, at age 75. According to a family announcement, he passed away peacefully in the presence of his wife, Maggie Kalkounos.

An immigrant from Greece, Kalkounos first settled in Brooklyn before building his life and career in the Chicago area. Over decades in the hospitality industry, he developed and owned several well-known establishments, including Chicago Prime Steakhouse, Chicago Prime Italian, and Five O’Clock Steakhouse, along with banquet venues and dining concepts that became fixtures in suburban communities.

Friends and local leaders described Kalkounos as more than a business owner. Online tributes portray him as warm, generous, and deeply committed to hospitality. Several commenters recalled being greeted with hugs and personal attention, even on busy nights. Others emphasized how he treated longtime guests like extended family, creating loyalty that spanned decades.

The loss also carries civic significance. Kalkounos was the father of Palatine Township Supervisor Andy-John Kalkounos, and township officials publicly offered condolences, noting his lasting impact on the community through both business and personal relationships.

In addition to his restaurants, the family highlighted a scholarship fund established in his name at Harper Community College to support aspiring culinary and hospitality students. The initiative reflects Kalkounos’ long-standing belief in mentorship and opportunity within the industry.

Visitation services will be held February 22 at Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services in Schaumburg, followed by funeral liturgy February 23 at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church.

Community members say his legacy lives on in the teams he mentored, the guests he welcomed, and the standards of hospitality he championed across the Chicago area.