The collaboration between Panino di Serie A and Techfood began in Rimini at a convention dedicated to innovation in the Horeca sector, where two distinct stands, united by a mutual curiosity, met. The goal of creating innovative sandwiches, capable of showcasing chefs' creativity through innovative shapes and colors, was the starting point for an extraordinary collaboration.
In this interview, Vito Longo, owner of Il Panino di Serie A, discusses the evolution of a company that is revolutionizing the work of thousands of restaurateurs, thanks to research, experimentation, and passion.
What is your role within the company?
In addition to being the owner, I work with my wife Elena on research and development: I develop new recipes and design the machinery needed to make them. I also train and support our employees, guiding them through the initial stages to help them become independent. We are a very close-knit team.
How did the name “serie A sandwich” come about?
When we started the business, about twenty-five years ago, the sign was "A3 Salerno - Reggio Calabria," a reference to the highway where our first store was located, near the Battipaglia exit. The current name came about spontaneously: customers, enthusiastic about the quality, would often exclaim, "This sandwich is top-notch!" So we decided to adopt this name, which over time has become a registered trademark.
At first, we sold filled sandwiches, but also leavened products related to seasonality and other occasions.
So your store was initially a place where you sold filled sandwiches?
Exactly. Our restaurant primarily served workers on their lunch breaks. We were pioneers in introducing hot sandwiches with parmigiana, sausage, and cutlet. Even today, that outlet continues to play a key role, thanks in part to its strategic location in an area strongly associated with Battipaglia buffalo mozzarella. We enjoy an excellent reputation in the area. 
When were colored sandwiches introduced?
National distribution began in 2019. Previously, we limited ourselves to regional markets. From that year on, we participated in the first national trade fairs, establishing ourselves throughout Italy. From there, the colorful sandwiches were born, joined by other lines such as protein and low-glycemic options.
Are there any sandwiches that you particularly like?
The entire range has distinctive features. In particular, the cereal sandwich is extremely versatile, suitable for both cured meats and meat. The colorful versions are also very popular. In collaboration with Techfood, we recently had fun creating sandwiches with differently colored sections, which are visually striking and pique customer curiosity.
Do the colors correspond to different ingredients?
The colorants used are all natural. Initially, we used ingredients such as beetroot and spirulina. To make the colors brighter, we later introduced the use of food colorings from confectionery, in compliance with regulations, always specified on the label according to current legislation.
Who are your main customers?
Our clientele is primarily comprised of operators in the Horeca sector. We have recently begun collaborations with large-scale retail trade, but over 90% of our partners remain tied to the professional channel.
What are your customers' impressions?
Those who use our sandwiches tend to become loyal customers because they build an identity around the product. The bread was designed not to overshadow the chef's work, but to serve as a showcase for the ingredients. The product reflects careful research, the fruit of twenty years of experience in the restaurant industry.
Here you can see that there is research and study behind it, you can really see the twenty years of experience.
Yes, it's because we were born restaurateurs. We know the critical points of this world, and we haven't been bakers for generations; we're self-taught. In the sense that we created this line of bread for our own personal needs, we already knew our goal: to produce a bread that showcases everything in it.
How did the collaboration with Techfood come about?
It's a fascinating story. I'd known about Techfood for a while, having purchased some of their equipment for my restaurant business. I was intrigued by the idea of pairing our sandwiches with the Space Bun machine , which I'd seen on social media.
In Rimini, during the Beer&Food Attraction, I went to the Techfood stand to propose a technical demonstration, and they were immediately available. Strangely enough, at the same time, Gabriele Iori, Techfood's marketing director, was visiting our stand, drawn by the colors of the sandwiches. It was a completely fortuitous, almost predestined, encounter.
How has this collaboration changed your approach?
Both companies were keen to partner with us. We offer samples and technical support to demonstrate the potential of our sandwiches when paired with the Techfood machine. We've also created an academy to train customers in both sandwich construction and equipment use, guiding them through optimal product development.
What are, in your opinion, the advantages of this collaboration?
The partnership with Techfood is giving us national visibility, especially through joint participation in trade fairs. We believe it will continue in the future with new initiatives.
What are your plans for the future? Can you share any new developments?
We're working on a new potato and fiber-based sandwich, designed to meet the growing focus on healthy eating. Inspired by the American smashburger, we've reinterpreted it with an Italian twist. The fiber content makes the product softer and has a longer shelf life. We're also collaborating with other companies and working on new sandwich shapes, which we can't reveal yet.
Do you collaborate with other companies? Can you name some?
We currently collaborate with major national distribution companies such as Altasfera, Despar, the Perella group, and Scongelando, among others.
This story is a prime example of how passion, experience, and vision can revolutionize an industry. Starting out on a junction on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, Vito Longo's company has now become a benchmark for HORECA professionals, offering a product designed by restaurateurs, for restaurateurs . The collaboration with Techfood fits perfectly into this journey, where technological innovation meets artisanal quality, giving life to a unique format that combines aesthetics, functionality, and flavor; conveying the vision of a Made in Italy capable of constantly reinventing and surpassing itself, even starting with a simple—yet surprising—sandwich.