Pronto Italian Sandwiches: A Local Success Story Fueled by Nicor Gas

When Peter and Dana Burdi visited their daughter studying abroad in Milan, they didn’t expect a sandwich shop to change their lives. Tucked along a narrow street, they discovered a small café serving sandwiches on unforgettable, hand-pressed bread—warm, light and unlike anything they had ever tasted. That simple meal sparked an idea: bring a true taste of Milan home to Illinois.

Back in the States, the couple searched for that same bread but couldn’t find anything close. Determined to recreate it, they connected with an Italian baker, learned the craft and began developing their own recipe. Before long, they weren’t just making sandwiches—they were baking their own signature bread, the foundation of every Pronto Italian Sandwich served today. What started as a family inspiration has grown into three thriving locations, with the newest in downtown Naperville.

For the Burdis, Naperville was a natural fit. They had always loved the area’s welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere, and when it came time to expand, the choice was clear. “Naperville just felt like home,” said co-founder Dana Burdi. “The community here makes you feel welcomed—it’s like being part of a big family.”

Behind every Pronto sandwich is a quiet but essential ingredient: natural gas. At the company’s Des Plaines commissary, Pronto bakes its bread fresh daily using ovens powered by Nicor Gas. When demand surged, Nicor Gas worked closely with the Burdis to help them expand production quickly and efficiently, ensuring they could keep up with the growing appetite for their sandwiches. “Without Nicor Gas, we wouldn’t be here,” Dana said. “They helped us scale up so we could bake more bread and keep up with demand. If it wasn’t for Nicor Gas and the partnership, you wouldn’t be eating a sandwich with pistachio cream.”

For Peter and Dana, local businesses are the heartbeat of a community. “Local businesses are the fabric of the community,” Peter said. “You have your butcher, your shoemaker—those are the people who keep neighborhoods going.” As Pronto’s bread begins appearing in select grocery stores and the company looks toward national growth, their commitment remains unchanged: all-natural ingredients, no seed oils, no shortcuts and a dedication to their Italian-inspired roots.

From a spark of inspiration in Milan to freshly baked bread in Illinois, Pronto Italian Sandwiches is a story of passion, perseverance, and partnership. With dependable energy from Nicor Gas, the Burdis have turned a dream into a growing business—fueling local flavor, community connection and small-business success, one sandwich at a time.