What if you could walk into a café, settle in with your laptop, enjoy unlimited specialty coffee and snacks, and never worry about being judged for staying too long or forced to order something else just to keep your seat?
That’s exactly what Chez Vous Time Café offers. Instead of paying for drinks or pastries, you simply pay for the time you spend there. Whether you’re a student cramming for finals, a freelancer juggling client calls, or someone just looking to unwind with board games and good vibes, Chez Vous gives you the space to work, relax, and recharge without pressure.
Founded in 2018, Chez Vous has redefined the idea of a modern café in Mexico. It quietly transformed from a 12-person garage setup into a six-location chain across Mexico City. Even more impressive, it scaled up during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many small businesses were forced to shut down. With a successful Shark Tank México pitch and a unique value proposition, Chez Vous has built a loyal community and possibly a future model for cafés across Latin America.
From Garage Dream to Shark Tank Spotlight
The story of Chez Vous begins with a trip to Europe. While traveling in Paris, Mariana Carrillo and her husband stumbled upon a new kind of café: a “time café” where customers didn’t pay for coffee or snacks but instead were charged by the minute. Inspired by the concept, they returned to Mexico with an idea that felt both innovative and risky, especially in a country where café culture still revolved around traditional purchase-based models.
In 2018, they opened the first Chez Vous in a small garage space in Mexico City that could host just 12 customers at a time. The setup was minimal, but the energy was fresh. Word spread quickly among students and young professionals, especially those looking for an affordable, no-pressure workspace with free-flowing coffee and Wi-Fi.
Two years later, Mariana and her team took the idea to Shark Tank México, where they pitched the model to some of Mexico’s top investors. The pitch stood out not just because of its novelty, but because of its proven traction. The Sharks saw potential. Arturo Elías Ayub and Rodrigo Herrera offered MXN 3.5 million for 49% equity, valuing the company at around MXN 7 million at the time.
This was a game-changer. The funding and mentorship opened new doors. Chez Vous went from being a cool local secret to a recognized Shark Tank success story.
Growth After the Tank
The Shark Tank deal provided more than just capital. It gave the brand visibility, operational support, and the validation it needed to scale. Following the investment, Chez Vous began expanding quickly across Mexico City.
What started as one garage-sized café has now grown into six full-fledged locations, each uniquely designed but carrying the same signature atmosphere that is casual, productive, and welcoming. The team also grew from just two founders to over 25 employees, including baristas, community managers, and customer support staff.
According to Mariana, the brand saw a sevenfold increase in revenue after the Shark Tank deal, and their user base expanded from students to remote workers, digital nomads, and even corporate teams looking for off-site workspaces.
Each location caters to a growing demand for hybrid work environments in post-pandemic urban life. Customers aren’t just grabbing coffee. They are choosing Chez Vous as their office away from home.
What Makes Chez Vous Different
Chez Vous doesn’t just serve coffee. It offers an experience centered around comfort, time freedom, and community. This is what makes it different from both traditional cafés and large coworking chains.
The pricing model is straightforward. You pay for the time you spend, typically around MXN $70–$90 per hour, depending on the location and package. Within that time, you get unlimited access to espresso drinks, teas, cold beverages, light snacks, reliable Wi-Fi, and cozy seating areas. Premium plans include specialty drinks like cappuccinos and mochas.
Every location includes a mix of quiet work zones, phone booths for calls, meeting rooms, and leisure areas stocked with books and board games. There’s also a strong community feel. Many regulars know each other, and the staff often greets guests by name. The cafés are also pet-friendly, encouraging visitors to bring their furry friends along.
This hybrid environment makes it perfect for:
- Students needing a study-friendly space with zero distractions.
- Remote workers seeking a reliable and social workspace.
- Creative professionals who need a balance of stimulation and solitude.
What makes Chez Vous memorable is that it removes the pressure. You’re not expected to keep buying food or drinks. You’re just welcome to stay and enjoy your time.
Shark Tank Impact Beyond the Money
The exposure from Shark Tank México significantly boosted Chez Vous’s profile. However, the true value came from the investors’ hands-on support.
Arturo Elías Ayub, known for backing businesses with long-term vision, brought visibility and credibility. He publicly referred to Chez Vous as one of Shark Tank México’s most successful projects, which attracted media attention and built trust with new customers.
Rodrigo Herrera, with his deep business background, helped optimize operations and logistics. This was especially important as Chez Vous transitioned from a single shop to a growing chain. Together, their influence helped Chez Vous navigate both scaling and systemizing its offerings without losing the charm of its early days.
The Sharks didn’t just invest and walk away. They helped Chez Vous remain lean, agile, and community-focused as the company expanded.
Surviving COVID – And Growing Through It
The true test of Chez Vous came in 2020 when the pandemic hit. Like most customer-facing businesses, the cafés were forced to shut their doors, and revenue dropped to zero overnight. Many small businesses didn’t survive that blow, but Chez Vous did.
Instead of giving up, Mariana and her husband got creative. They began selling baked goods and drinks outside their closed cafés to keep money flowing and staff employed. It wasn’t glamorous, but it helped them stay connected with customers and build local goodwill.
Then came the surprise. While many cafés struggled to reopen, Chez Vous did more than reopen. They opened three new locations between 2020 and 2022. That kind of expansion, especially in such a difficult climate, speaks to the resilience and strategic mindset behind the business.
They didn’t rely on delivery apps or quick gimmicks. Instead, they doubled down on their core promise of a cozy, productive, unlimited-time café environment that people missed during lockdowns.
Customer Reception
Chez Vous quickly became a social media darling, not because of flashy campaigns, but because customers genuinely loved the experience and shared it online.
Across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, influencers and local content creators have posted walk-throughs, day-in-the-life videos, and glowing reviews of their visits. One TikTok video titled “A café where you pay for time, not coffee?!” has racked up over 500,000 views, with comments full of people tagging friends to go together.
On Google Maps, Chez Vous maintains an average rating of 4.5 stars, with over 1,000 reviews. Visitors praise the value for money, comfortable seating, clean spaces, friendly staff, and peaceful ambiance. They also appreciate access to books, games, boardrooms, and the overall aesthetic of the cafés.
There are minor criticisms too, such as occasional broken board games or limited snack variety. Still, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive.
Chez Vous is no longer a secret. It is a lifestyle destination for young professionals in Mexico City.
The Competitive Landscape: More Than a Café
Chez Vous sits at the intersection of hospitality and productivity. It is not just a café, and it is not quite a coworking space. That in-between positioning is what makes it powerful and difficult to replicate.
However, new competitors are beginning to emerge. Other cafés, such as Coffeefy, are experimenting with similar pay-for-time models. Coworking giants like WeWork and local spaces like IOS Offices offer more corporate amenities but lack the warmth and inclusivity of Chez Vous.
Meanwhile, traditional cafés like Starbucks Mexico or Blend Station are leaning into remote work, but they can’t match Chez Vous’s unlimited access or predictable costs.
Chez Vous is building its own category: a café tailored for the hybrid, post-pandemic generation.
Financial Transparency & The Net Worth
One of the biggest questions many Shark Tank fans have is: What is Chez Vous worth today?
As a private company, Chez Vous has not released public financial statements, so exact figures on net worth or annual revenue remain unknown. However, we can make some educated inferences.
The business was valued at MXN 7 million in 2020 after the Shark Tank deal. Since then, they have expanded to six locations, increased headcount, and maintained high occupancy rates. Social buzz, customer loyalty, and constant traffic at their cafés indicate steady revenue growth.
In short, Chez Vous is likely well past its 2020 valuation and continues to grow with solid fundamentals.
What’s Next? Chez Vous’s 2027 Goal and Strategic Moves
Chez Vous isn’t resting. According to Mariana Carrillo, the goal is to open 15 branches by 2027, with a focus on maintaining quality rather than chasing rapid franchising.
The company currently operates only in Mexico City, which raises the question: will it expand nationally?
Potential strategies ahead include launching new branches in cities like Guadalajara or Monterrey, adding light meals or rotating snack options, hosting events or community workshops, and developing a booking app for seat reservations, meeting rooms, and member subscriptions.
The main challenge will be maintaining their signature comfort and community feel as they scale.
A Case Study in Quiet Resilience
Chez Vous proves that success does not have to be loud to be powerful. In a time where most startups chase hype, viral moments, or aggressive funding rounds, Chez Vous focused on one thing done extremely well: giving people a better place to spend time.
From a 12-person garage to a multi-branch, Shark Tank–backed business, Mariana Carrillo and her team built something truly valuable and genuinely loved. Their story is a blueprint for modern entrepreneurs. Build community, listen to your customers, and never stop adapting.
Chez Vous is not just a café. It is a quiet revolution, one hour at a time.
TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
Chez Vous Time Café turned a simple idea—charging for time instead of coffee—into one of Mexico City’s quietest Shark Tank success stories. With six locations, resilient growth during the pandemic, and a clear goal to reach 15 branches by 2027, it’s redefining how modern cafés serve the needs of work, study, and community.
FAQs
Is Chez Vous still in business in 2025?
Yes, Chez Vous is still actively operating with six branches in Mexico City and plans to expand to 15 locations by 2027.
Did Chez Vous get a deal on Shark Tank México?
Yes, Chez Vous secured a deal of MXN 3.5 million for 49% equity from Arturo Elías Ayub and Rodrigo Herrera during their appearance on Shark Tank México.
What is Chez Vous Time Café’s business model?
Chez Vous operates on a pay-per-time model, where customers are charged for the time spent rather than individual drinks or snacks. This includes unlimited coffee, snacks, Wi-Fi, and workspace access.
Where are Chez Vous cafés located?
All six current Chez Vous locations are in Mexico City. The company has plans to expand to other cities in Mexico in the coming years.
Can I work or study at Chez Vous?
Yes, Chez Vous is designed for remote workers, students, and creatives. It offers quiet workspaces, phone booths, and community areas perfect for productivity or relaxation.
What is Chez Vous’s estimated net worth in 2025?
While the company hasn’t disclosed exact figures, it’s estimated that Chez Vous’s valuation has significantly increased from its 2020 Shark Tank valuation of MXN 7 million due to its rapid growth and expansion.
Is Chez Vous similar to coworking spaces like WeWork?
Chez Vous blends café culture with coworking perks. Unlike corporate coworking spaces, it offers a cozy, informal environment with flexible pricing and no long-term commitment.