Lopez Taqueria, a family-owned Mexican restaurant founded in 2010 by Jonny Lopez in the heart of San Jose, quickly became a local favorite. Known for its authentic recipes, vibrant atmosphere, and warm customer service, the taqueria built a loyal customer base. However, like many small, single-location restaurants, Taqueria Lopez faced significant challenges—limited resources, lack of strategic growth planning, and operational scaling issues threatened to stall their success.

Partnering with Fonda: A Game-Changer

In 2021, Jonny Lopez discovered Fonda, a company dedicated to empowering family-owned restaurants with the same online commerce capabilities as global restaurant giants. Fonda’s unique approach blends online business expertise with strategic marketing solutions, enabling local eateries to scale their businesses while maintaining their authenticity and quality.

Strategic Transformation and Expansion

With Fonda’s support, Lopez Taqueria embarked on an ambitious growth journey. Fonda’s team conducted an in-depth analysis of the restaurant’s operations, menu, clientele, and market potential. This revealed several key areas for improvement:

• Online Reputation Management: Fonda emphasized the importance of engaging with customers and actively managing reviews on platforms like Google My Business (GMB) and Yelp. Through proactive reputation management, Lopez Taqueria boosted its rating to an impressive 4.4 stars.

• Targeted Marketing: Fonda launched strategic digital marketing campaigns designed to increase ticket sizes, attract new customers, and drive revenue growth.

Scaling New Heights: Location Expansion

The results were immediate. By mid-2019, Lopez Taqueria opened its second location in a bustling suburban neighborhood. The combination of strong brand recognition and Fonda’s data-driven marketing strategies ensured rapid success. Building on this momentum, two additional locations were launched by the end of 2022:

1. Second Location: 1460 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126 — Nestled in a lively neighborhood rich with residential, commercial, and cultural attractions.

2. Third Location: 808 W El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 — Positioned in the heart of Sunnyvale, a vibrant Silicon Valley hub.

The expansion didn’t stop there. In 2023, Jonny Lopez opened a fourth location:

3. Fourth Location: 3161 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95111 — Strategically located in a dynamic mixed-use area combining residential and commercial spaces, just a short drive from downtown San Jose.

Each new location preserved the warm ambiance and authentic culinary experience that made the original taqueria beloved by customers.

Impressive Growth and Results

The partnership with Fonda delivered tangible and transformative results:

• Revenue Growth: The physical expansion, combined with a robust online presence, significantly boosted revenue. Taqueria Lopez achieved an impressive monthly gross merchandise value (GMV) of $98,454.

• Direct Order Savings: Over the first five months of the year, Lopez Taqueria saved $3,332 by utilizing Fonda’s direct ordering system, reducing reliance on third-party delivery platforms.

• Expanded Customer Base: Effective marketing campaigns significantly increased foot traffic and broadened the taqueria’s customer base.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Small Business Success

The collaboration between Lopez Taqueria and Fonda serves as a powerful example of how strategic partnerships can fuel significant growth for small businesses. By leveraging Fonda’s expertise in online restaurant management, marketing, and operational expansion, Taqueria Lopez transformed from a beloved local eatery into a thriving multi-location brand.

This success story proves that with the right support and strategy, small family-owned restaurants can scale, thrive, and compete on a larger stage—all while staying true to their authentic roots.