Relocating existing restaurants, strengthening the digital sales channel and identifying the areas where consumers are currently concentrated in order to choose the location of new stores are some of the strategies of the chains when executing their expansion plans.
As a result of the covid-19 outbreak, several expansion projects were affected, which must now reinvent themselves and adapt to the new commercial reality, in which consumers have different lifestyles.
Almost three months before the gradual reopening of the Guatemalan economy, it is estimated that eight out of every ten consumers already visit supermarkets, while one out of every four people living in the capital have left for other departments in the country.
With the publication of Ministerial Agreement 187-2020, the Health Alert System for the covid-19 epidemic was made official and the authorities gradually eliminated restrictions on mobility and productive activities.
Given the possibility that in the coming weeks business will reopen in Guatemala, 86% of consumers do not agree with the opening of shopping centers and 84% do not support the reactivation of restaurant table service.
The "Exploratory Study of the Behavior of Guatemalans towards the Coronavirus", revealed that at this time, when the number of covid-19 infections in the country exceeds 33 thousand and the number of deaths amounts to more than 1,400, consumers would not agree with the reopening of some businesses.
Arguing that the number of infections and deaths is increasing quickly because of the spread of covid-19, President Bukele decided to postpone the entry into force of the second phase until July 21.
Initially, the second phase of the economic reopening process was scheduled to begin on July 7, and would include the reactivation of the plastic, paper, cardboard and footwear industries, as well as call centers, restaurants and mass transportation.
In Panama, Plaza Arraiján shopping center and its surroundings is a point that at a distance of five minutes by car monopolizes a captive market of more than 34 thousand people, and of this group of consumers, 19% show interest in pizzas.
In CentralAmericaData we developed a geomarketing tool based on interactive maps, through which you can identify where people are and what characteristics they have as consumers.
The interest in Greek gastronomy, the practice of triathlon and the reading of electronic books are some of the characteristics of the consumers who have a high purchasing power in Costa Rica.
An analysis of consumer interests and preferences in Costa Rica, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, provides interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people who express interest in different types of products or activities.
Alleging that they have received complaints of violations of workers' rights, the government announced that in the coming days they will conduct inspections in security companies and restaurants.
Thirteen fast food franchises will be opening 40 new stores this year, after 2015 saw the arrival of some new players and the departure of others.
A survey carried out by Nacion.com on the franchising industry revealed that about 40 new stores will generate 360 jobs this year, compared to the 654 redundancies recorded in fast food restaurants segment in 2015.
A hotel in Estelí is part of the projects that will benefit from the tourism incentives approved by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism so far this year.
From a statement issued by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR):
TOURIST BOARD APPROVES OVER 10 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT FOR TOURISM
INCENTIVES
Over 10 million dollars has been approved by the Board of Tourism Incentives in the third ordinary session held by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR).
Representatives from the international franchise Burger King in the country have announced the closure of four outlets, due to "bad business results".
The outlets which will cease operations are located in the Paseo Metropoli shopping center, Plaza Real Cariari, Santo Domingo and Heredia . These closures are due to the fact that these branches "... are not financially viable, they are located in areas which are not very strategic and have produced bad business results. "
In the same month that two fast food franchises closed operations, another chain has announced that over the next 18 months it will be investing $4 million in opening three new stores.
At the moment the fast food chain Johnny Rockets operates in three locations, in which it has invested about $2 million. It is expected that in the coming months there will be three new facilities to be located in City Mall in Alajuela, Escazú Village and Terrazas de Lindora, with an investment of 4 million.
The restaurant chain Bagelmen's has closed seven stores which had been operating in the country for fourteen years, in addition to the recent closure of Wendy's, which closed its doors in early January.
Bagelmen's is the second large fast food chain which has closed its operations in the country this year. The closure of seven premises located in San Pedro, Lindora, Rohrmoser, Sabanilla, Heredia, Escazú and Guinoes, was announced by the owners of the company on January 24, without providing further details.
Costa Rican Brands of restaurants chains and coffee shops such as Spoon and La Fabbrica are counting on economic growth in Panama and opening branches in the capital.
AT the moment the restaurant chain La Fabbrica is maintaining its expansion with an increase of between 10% and 15% in Central America, while Spoon plans to start exporting Costa Rican branded products to Nicaragua, Panama and Puerto Rico.
According to the union of restaurants, the close of the chain Wendy's reflects the saturation of a market which between 2010 and 2014 saw the opening of 244 outlets.
The east and west zones of the greater metropolitan area of the country are reporting higher saturation levels, according to the Costa Rican Chamber of Restaurants, since the supply per person in this sector "... has the same levels as cities such as Paris and New York."
Citing unprofitability the investment group owner of the US franchise Wendy's has announced the closure of its operations in the country.
From a statement issued by Comidas Rápidas Wentica S.A. (Wendy's Costa Rica):
Comidas Rápidas Wentica S.A., operator of the restaurant chain Wendy's Costa Rica, under the principle of responsibly to shareholders, has decided to close its 10 stores in the country permanently, citing reduced the chain's profitability, due to the fact that Costa Rica is the third country in the world in terms of the number of restaurants per square kilometer.