Cielo SBDC Success Story
Economic Impact
- Business Expansion
- Owner Investment
- SBA Loan
- 30 Jobs Created
- 120 Jobs Retained
Francisco Perez, an avid entrepreneur, owns numerous restaurants across multiple states and is proud to continue the restaurant legacy started by his parents. Mr. Perez’s parents immigrated to the United States in the 1980’s from Jalisco, Mexico and with them, brought the food and culture of Jalisco to share. One way is through Cielo Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned business with a dozen locations across various states. Cielo is extremely popular here in San Angelo, with over a year of operation and happy customers. They decided to further expand their great tastes by adding a new location in Stephenville, Texas.
As a previously self-funded entrepreneur, Mr. Perez was unfamiliar with the lending process. When he sought financial assistance with his new plans of expansion, his lender recommended reaching out to the ASU SBDC for assistance. Senior Certified Business Advisor, James Leavelle, assisted him in writing an in-depth business plan with financial projections that helped him secure an SBA guaranteed loan. This expansion will create 30 new jobs and retain 120 employees while further expanding the Cielo brand and business across Texas. The Perez family is an ardent supporter of the community and can be seen providing support at many events in the background, including the Dia de los Muertos celebration. He is proud of his Hispanic heritage and was very appreciative of the assistance he received from his advisor. This story also serves to showcase the support the ASU SBDC is able to provide our local lenders as they work to strengthen their lending power and relationships with the SBA loan programs.
“Helped with financial projections. Helped with the loan process!!”