Region: coffee houses

Starbucks is expanding throughout the region, which grows great beans, but where people often drink mediocre coffee.

Other companies can likewise take advantage of a growing demand for quality-brewed coffee, served in attractive locations.

Starbucks last week announced plans to open 50 stores in Bogotá, starting next year, as well as others in major cities.

The Colombian chain will be operated by a joint venture between Nutresa, a food-processing conglomerate headquartered in Medellín, and Alsea, a Mexican company, which has more than a thousand fast-food and casual-dining restaurants, in Mexico and South America.

Starbuck’s has stores in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Guatemala.

The company will compete in Colombia with a a federation of growers, whose company, Juan Valdez cafés, has 200 stores, including outlets in Panama and the United States.