Gia Pronto is no longer just a hotspot for Penn students.
The popular Italian eatery recently opened a second location at 20th and Market streets, and it plans to launch several more branches throughout the city.
Marco Lentini, who owns the chain, graduated from the College in 1996 and received an MBA from Wharton in 2002.
Lentini said he chose to open the new Gia Pronto in the city's business district because students frequently move to Center City after graduating from Penn and "say they miss" the restaurant.
And though the new cafe is located just down the street from a Starbucks branch, Lentini said he does not think the national coffee chain will pose serious competition for the small, family-owned business.
"Once they try our sandwiches, they will choose them over any lunch option at Starbucks," Lentini said.
College freshman Michael Gibaldi said he would go to Starbucks for a drink but Gia Pronto for more substantial food.
"If I were looking for a meal, I would definitely go to Gia Pronto" over Starbucks, he said. "I really don't go to Starbucks for food."
So far, the new location seems to be gaining in popularity.
The 20th and Market Gia Pronto saw a 46-percent increase in sales during the course of its first week, said Bill Stank, who manages the Gia Pronto at 37th and Spruce streets.
A third Gia Pronto cafe could open as soon as this summer, Lentini said, adding that he is considering locations near the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania or at 16th and Market streets in Center City.
As the business expands, Executive Chef Anthony Marino, a childhood friend of Lentini's, said that he and his staff will work to keep the quality of the food up to snuff.
"It's our system, our branding and our food," he said. "We just bring that to each location."
The Gia Pronto on campus offers the same choices as the new location, though it focuses more on the needs of students, Stank said.
He said that the campus location serves more salads than paninis in order to cater to college students who are "more conscious about diet."
Stank says he does not expect the new location to detract from business at the West Philadelphia.
"All the people on campus come here. It's a completely different demographic out there," he said, adding that the Center City location will rely on the patronage of businesspeople.
