Some of the innovations that the Guatemalan chain Pollo Campero has implemented in this new commercial reality include investing in the implementation of establishments that serve only home delivery service and setting up open spaces to serve more consumers.
As a result of the spread of Covid-19, restaurant chains were forced to close the table area. In this context, companies focused on mitigating their economic losses through food delivery sales..
In the last quarter of 2020 and in January 2021 in Panama, Honduras and El Salvador interest in fast food reported a clear rebound, contrary to the situation in Guatemala, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, markets where Internet searches decreased.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, services, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In Central America, nearly 13 million people search online and participate in conversations related to pizzas, with Papa John's, Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza being some of the chains with the greatest presence in consumer interactions.
An analysis of consumer interests and preferences in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, provides interesting results on people's preferences and tastes in food and all kinds of products or services, as well as restaurant chains and activities.
In recent months, interest in fast food in the region's markets has continued to show a clear upturn, with El Salvador, Panama and Honduras recording the largest increases in interactions on the subject.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In Central America, it is estimated that nearly 14 million people show an interest in fast food in the digital environment. Pizza, tacos, organic food and snacks are some of the terms that have best positioned themselves in the minds of consumers with high purchasing power.
An analysis of the interests and preferences of consumers in Central America, prepared by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, shows interesting results on the preferences and tastes of people in various foods, products, services, restaurant chains and activities.
The Montblanc Shopping Center, in the Guatemalan city of Quetzaltenango, is a sales point that, at a distance of 15 minutes walking, holds a captive market of 35 thousand people who together spend $11 million, and of them, 11% show interest in Mexican food.
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 map incorporates, for any Central American country, the variables population, income, average monthly expenditure and consumer interests. With this information it is possible to identify potential customers and define promotional strategies accordingly, or also explore home delivery times from any sales point.
Closing children's play areas, placing glass in predetermined places and using disposable tableware and cutlery are some of the new health and safety protocols that restaurants must apply when faced with a change in business.
When restaurants begin to reactivate service in table areas, once the most critical phases of the covid-19 outbreak are over, companies must apply rigorous hygiene and social distancing protocols.
Removing commonly used beverage dispensers, signaling establishments to ensure social distancing, and installing doors with a foot opening are some of the adaptations that restaurants will have to make to operate in the new commercial environment.
The restaurant sector has been one of the hardest hit by the covid-19 outbreak, as in most countries the authorities have prohibited these establishments from serving their customers in the table area and only allow them to sell take-out.
So far this year, interest in fast food in Central American markets has clearly increased, with Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica recording the largest increases in interactions associated with the topic.
Through a system that monitors real-time changes in the interests and preferences of consumers in Central American countries, developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long-term demand trends for different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Because of the social isolation and mobility restrictions that have been decreed by the health crisis facing the region and the world, restaurants will be forced to readjust their business model to the changes that will come in consumer behavior.
The spread of covid-19 has forced restaurant chains to reinvent themselves in order to continue operating, as in most countries of the region governments have banned the free movement of people and forced most commercial establishments to close.
The Pollo Campero chain announced that it plans to invest close to $14 million in the remodeling and installation of new restaurants in Guatemala, El Salvador and Mexico.
Company executives said that investments in Guatemala and El Salvador will reach $13 million, and in the case of Mexico, approximately $700,000 will be disbursed.
In Guatemala, the Dunkin chain opened a new sales point at kilometer 14.5 of Carretera a El Salvador and plans to open five new stores in 2020.
Representatives of Grupo INTUR, the company that owns the franchise, reported that the new store has a self-service and outdoor terrace, and that with the opening of this local add 20 sales points in the country.
In Guatemala, U.S. chain Denny's invested $2 million to open its second restaurant in a shopping mall in the municipality of Mixco.
The restaurant chain, managed by the company of Honduran Origin Specialized Foods, began operations in the country at the end of 2017, with the opening of a store with capacity for 185 people in Zone 9 of Guatemala City.
From September 4 to 6, food production and restaurant companies will be gathering together in Guatemala City to explore business opportunities and take part in conferences.
The event will be held at the ExpoCenter Grand Tikal Futura Hotel, and the conferences and workshops will address topics such as the importance of microbiological analysis in food production, marketing strategies for restaurants and beverage trends in coffee shops, among others.
From September 5 to 7 products will be exhibited and meetings held in Guatemala City by representatives of food companies, restaurants and other entities linked to the sector.
The event is being organized by the Union of Restaurants in Guatemala and will be held at the Grand Tikal Futura Hotel in Guatemala City.
Taking part in the fair will be companies producing food and drinks, restaurants, hotels and other companies related to the industry.