4. Fast-casual Italian from industry vet
Chef Michael Pirolo, who runs full-service Italian restaurant Macchialina in Miami Beach, Fla., and The Saint Austere in Brooklyn, N.Y., developed a fast-casual spinoff called Pirolo’s Panino, which opened recently in Los Angeles. The delivery-focused concept serves chicken Parmesan sandwiches, baked pasta, Italian dips and other comfort foods. Next up, it’s looking to expand with a delivery-only unit in downtown LA as well as a store in Santa Monica, Calif., according to Food & Wine magazine.