Fortune estimates that in 2020, 110,000 food-service businesses shut down nationwide. Notably absent from those casualties, however, are Boston Market and Corner Bakery Café.

The two brands benefited from the moxie of their owner, Jignesh “Jay” Pandya, who was aided by his attorney, Exton resident Valentino DiGiorgio. Neil Cote covered the survival for Vanguard, an online law publication.

Boston Market and Corner Bakery Café not only navigated the pandemic; they’re poised to thrive.

DiGiorgio, the former chairman of the Chester County GOP, as well as the state’s Republican Party, classifies the past 20 months as “interesting” but navigable.

“If you can manage your way through the storm, you can come out of it standing tall,” he said.

The tough times included an exodus of front-line employees and the supply-chain snags that slowed businesses nationwide. The growth plans are ambitious:

• 25 new Boston Markets in 32 states
• 170 additional Corner Bakery Café outlets in 23 states

The chains’ lasting power came via a small bump in takeout sales; however, most of their economic health resulted from the use of third-party deliverers, menu tweaks toward more sandwiches and bowls, and cost cuts.

Sales, according to DiGiorgio, are now back to pre-pandemic levels.

“COVID couldn’t close Boston Market,” he said “Too many people love the brand.”

More on Boston Market and Corner Bakery Café is at Vanguard.