Why are there no fast food franchises in Belize when there are many in the other Central American Countries? Do you think people would be receptive to any? Just wondering....

Yuk, what a nasty thought!

Banish the thought ! Belizean is food is way better than any slop you get at a fast food place. HMMM ??? Greasy burger and fries for $6 or a big ol' plate of rice and beans with stewed chicken for the same price with a frosty Belikin ?

Trouble is no one serves stewed chicken in Denver and it is darn near lunch time!! Guess I'll have to get my fill in a few weeks while chillin' in Belize!!

Please don't!

The Jerk Pit is fast enough for me, and the food actually has quite a few flavors.

I think a Burger King or Macdonalds would be about as consonant in Belize as the Taco Bell place we saw among the medieval buildings in Canterbury.

Retro me, Satanis!

Mike Ryan

Actually, when we were in Belize City, we saw a little place that had a sign saying "The Burger King of Belize". Stayed far, far away....
But I do enjoy writing my friend Tricia in AC telling her where we just ate. She always writes back and tells me what she would have ordered there. Belize would truly be heaven is there was a Melting Pot and Cracker Barrel there... sorry ya'll... (add a Mighty Taco and Duff's from Buffalo and it would be better than Heaven!)

Well, ibanole, those places sound like they might have some character. But I feel terrible that so many people outside the US think that a hamburger is what they get a MacDonald's. Hamburgers can be wonderful things --- but fast food processing centers don't give you that kind. Go to Nick's Hamburger Joint on Broadway near 77th Street, you'll see what I mean.

Mike

McDonald's announced a couple of years ago that it was considering opening a location in Belize, probably Belize City, but that hasn't come to pass.

Other frachisors apparently have looked at Belize but worried about the security problem in Belize City (who needs a gang shoot out in your restaurant?) and of course about the relatively small markets with low disposable income. Also, there are all kinds of anticompetitive rules and laws in Belize, high import duties, not to mention politicians to pay off.

My personal opinion is that franchised fast food would do great in Belize. Since many Belizeans have cable TV from the U.S. or have visited the U.S. they know all about U.S. franchisees and are often disposed toward this kind of fast food.

I personally would hate to see any more international franchises in Belize, but frankly it will happen and probably fairly soon.

But what would really be welcomed by a lot of people in Belize is something like a K-Mart or Wal-Mart with low prices. This would quickly dominate the market. But again import duties and other regulations in Belize are problems.

By the way, HL Burger is the local fast-food chain that advertises itself (probably in violation of all kinds of copyright and trademark laws) as "the Burger King of Belize." It has eight or ten locations, including one in San Pedro (Middle Street).

--Lan Sluder
Belize First Magazine http://www.belizefirst.com/

My way of thinking, fast food in San Pedro is an oxy moron!!!

LOL at Spyder!

McDonalds is currently exporting french fries to Belize for sale to restaurants. Emerald Garden in San Pedro serves them.

Belize City has the equivalent of a Kmart or Walmart, its a store called Mirab, and is located in the Fort George area. It opened in May of 2000. I was there recently and recognized many of the brands names. The setting is much more posh though than what you would see at a Walmart or Target, but theprices are the same. Its air conditioned, very nicely layed out, and super clean. Check it out the next time you are in town.
--Silk