Ta Canijo

The Challenge

Ta Canijo, a 12-location taqueria in Chicagoland, had a social media account that might as well have not existed. When I started in November 2023, their Instagram was on autopilot — sporadic posts, zero engagement, no strategy. Customers had no reason to follow them. With multiple locations competing in a saturated taco market, they were invisible online while their competitors were building communities. They didn't need another social media manager who would post and disappear. They needed someone who could turn their dead account into an actual revenue driver.

My Strategy

I rebuilt their entire social presence around one principle: give people a reason to follow. I created content for new product launches like Walking Tacos (which became a customer favorite), shot authentic behind-the-scenes moments on iPhone, and made videos people actually wanted to share. Every comment got a response. Every DM got handled. I turned passive followers into active customers. On the paid side, I ran targeted background ads that promoted the Walking Tacos and other deals to local audiences who had never heard of them — keeping the spend efficient while driving real foot traffic. I also brought in paid creators to produce authentic content that performed in the ad campaigns, giving the brand social proof that felt organic, not corporate. Beyond content and ads, I implemented an affordable digital menu system across all 12 locations and managed their customer responses to keep their brand voice consistent. The goal wasn't just more followers — it was more customers walking through the door.

The Results

Since November 2023, Ta Canijo exploded from 600 to 4,200+ followers (600% growth), generated multiple viral videos with hundreds of thousands of views, and drove measurable foot traffic increases across all locations. New products I promoted became bestsellers. Ad campaigns turned cold audiences into first-time customers, and UGC content gave the brand a consistent stream of high-performing creative. Their digital menu system streamlined operations. Sales growth directly followed social growth — packed locations, increased brand recognition, and lines out the door. What started as "fix our dead Instagram" turned into a full business partnership that drives revenue every single week. That's what happens when you understand restaurants, not just social media.