A double frappuccino caremelo,please

The first Starbucks in Central America is scheduled to open at the end of 2010, via a franchise agreement between Corporación de Franquicias Americanas (CFA) of El Salvador and the United States-based chain of coffee houses.

The first Starbucks store will be located in the Santa Elena commercial center of San Salvador, with more outlets expected shortly in both El Salvador and Guatemala. Central America is a leading producer of fine coffee.

However, the region has few major retailers, whose main business consists of selling coffee, including specialized coffee-based drinks. CFA operates 138 fast-food restaurants in the region, including Pizza Hut, KFC, Wendy's y China Wok. The arrival of Starbucks in the northern part of Central America may create an opening for expansion of the concept in the rest of the region.

• Master franchisees
• Franchisees
• Coffee drinkers