Seeking a fresh start after facing the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Liz Vazquez entered our Make It Happen Business Makeover contest — and won! She received a $25,000 makeover from AlphaGraphics for her restaurant, Tio Chilo’s, located in the heart of the Mission District in San Francisco. See the transformation!
For 20 years, Tio Chilo’s has been a pillar of strength, reliability, and friendship in the tight-knit Calle 24 Latino Cultural District. But despite strong ties and a loyal following within the community, the restaurant struggled to bring in new customers. The aged storefront wasn’t capturing attention, and without a website, Tio Chilo’s had little visibility among San Francisco locals and tourists who visit the area.
The AlphaGraphics team first tackled the restaurant’s branding, pulling inspiration from Liz’s family history and heritage to create a bolder brand with a vivid color palette. The new branding was applied strategically throughout the space to increase Tio Chilo’s curb appeal and draw in new customers. This included sidewalk signage, window graphics, and a new awning on the storefront; wall graphics covering the interior; and printed materials to round out the brand experience. In addition to the physical transformation, AlphaGraphics partnered with Marketing 360® to create an SEO-enhanced website to increase the restaurant’s visibility outside of the local community. See all the products and solutions that went into the Tio Chilo's restaurant makeover.