Empanet is an Argentine company that distributes empanadas in U.S. supermarkets — a recipe born from tradition with a standout business model. Its creator, Diego Lanci, spoke with Colombia One about the details that earned the project an important international award.
Together with his wife, Lanci has spent years in the bar and restaurant industry, venturing into areas such as breweries and dining. In 2017, he traveled to the United States, where the idea of creating a large-scale empanada company came to mind, and the project began to take shape.
“It was about directly setting up a factory, a plant to produce empanadas on a large scale and in that way cover the market. So, we ended up deciding on the option of developing a plant, and it was built,” the entrepreneur told Colombia One.
After receiving all the necessary approvals from entities such as the FDA and USDA in 2022, the company began distributing its winning product: Argentine empanadas, known for their soft golden crust and juicy, authentic filling.
“It’s a product that is transportable — you can eat it while walking or while driving. In the North American market, that kind of food is needed because people spend a lot of time in their cars,” Lanci explained.
Empanet’s handmade Argentine empanadas bring flavor and tradition to the US market
Motivated by memories of his childhood in Argentina, Lanci created recipes designed to captivate American palates. He introduced flavors such as beef with exquisite chimichurri sauce, several varieties of cheese empanadas combined with spinach, onions, and even more fascinating versions such as spicy crab.
By focusing on producing fully handmade empanadas that feel truly homemade, the company has already conquered the North American market. With the help of a machine that seals around seven empanadas at a time, the final stage of production is simple and efficient.
Lanci also explains some of the details behind why his model has been so successful in just a few years. “We always use the same meat, the same percentage of meat, the same percentage of onion. We always use the same, so this ensures that the first empanada you ate in 2022 will taste the same as the one you eat in 2025.”
The entrepreneur is preparing a playbook that will be available to anyone interested in replicating his model. Empanet, he explains, was born from the need to compete with flavor. He points out that every country has a traditional dish that can be scaled and sold in markets such as the United States.
However, like any large project, it requires supply chains that guarantee high-quality standards. For example, maintaining the cold chain necessary for transporting empanadas was one of the biggest challenges, but it was soon solved thanks to an experienced distributor in Tampa, Florida.
In addition, learning every process and quality standard — working directly with inspectors — allowed Empanet to refine its product to perfection.
A recent award reflects the precision and passion of the company
That effort was unexpectedly recognized in 2025, when Empanet received the Best of Business Rates Food Manufacture award. Lanci recalls that they didn’t even know they were nominated and that learning about the win came as a complete surprise. “The award is based on people’s reviews … and obviously that fills you with pride — not only me, but also the people working in the plant,” he commented.
For him, this kind of recognition is proof that every detail in production matters: from the person who opens the plant early in the morning to the one preparing shipments. “That award is for everyone, because it means the product is reaching consumers exactly the way we expect it to,” he added.
One of the decisive factors in Empanet’s expansion has been the way the U.S. market embraces new gastronomic proposals.
On this subject, Lanci explains: “The North American market welcomed us warmly. Being a multicultural society, it opened the door to different cuisines and learned from the countries that migrated here. People here eat out a lot, cook little, and are open to trying new things.”
The entrepreneur also takes this experience as an opportunity to send a message to those who dream of selling in the United States: the importance of consistency. He also makes his knowledge available to anyone seeking guidance.
“In the same way that today they choose you, tomorrow they can stop if what they expect isn’t the same as what they had before. That’s not hard to achieve. I put the training and learning I’ve had at the service of anyone who wants to ask or seek advice. No problem — they can count on it,” he said.
Expansion plans with a global outlook
Looking ahead, Empanet is clear about its next step: opening its first physical store. From there, the company plans to expand through a franchise model, offering a simple structure for those who want to start a business in the United States.
“The empanada is a massive product, deeply rooted in Argentina, and anyone who comes to the United States can manage it as a business,” Lanci said.
The entrepreneur also highlighted the potential of bringing Argentine empanadas to other allied markets. He mentioned countries such as Colombia and Puerto Rico, where the presence of importers and consumers of international products opens the door to opportunities:
“Today, the borders are open to bring and take all kinds of goods. In Colombia, for example, there must be Argentines who are looking for native or nostalgic products to feel at home for a little while.”
This international vision reinforces Empanet’s adaptable character, focusing not only on winning over the U.S. consumer but also on serving migrant communities and curious palates across the continent.
Lanci left a message for those who dream of starting their own business: “Dare to dream. Sometimes we set short or small goals, but allowing yourself to expand the boundaries of a business opens the door to new goals, satisfactions, and rewards.”