&Pizza opened its doors in 2012, and has been on the expansion fast track every since. CEO Michael Lastoria explains how his company grew from one Washington, D.C. location to 23 along the East Coast.

The company recently closed a round of funding led by RSE Ventures. Lastoria says that the company plans to use the capital to open 15 stores in the next year. At least four will be in New York City. &Pizza plans to expand to Miami and Boston as well.

Community is at the heart of &Pizza's business model. Each of the company-owned locations partner with local artists and organizations.

Lastoria is also a fervent advocate for increasing the federal minimum wage. He says that morally, it is the right thing to do. Lastoria has spent time on Capitol Hill lobbying Congress on the issue.