Pollo Campero Takes on Disney World

The happiest place on earth just got happier. Guatemala's very own brand of fried chicken - Pollo Campero [2] - has opened its newest franchise in Downtown Disney World as part of its continuing quest for world domination. Even if you've never tried the chicken that is perhaps one of the country's main exports besides coffee, chances are you've smelled it on your return flight home from Guatemala City [3]. Many returning Guatemalans bring some home for stateside loved ones (there's even a location in Guatemala City's airport), despite the fact that Campero has been aggressively opening stores throughout the U.S.

The Disney location, opened Friday, is the chain's 51st U.S. location and 350th worldwide. Campero also operates throughout Central America and in Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, Andorra, Indonesia, India, China and Bahrain. Its newest additions will be the U.K. and Italy in 2011. The company reports sales are up ten percent worldwide versus 2009 numbers and a healthy 16 percent in Guatemala despite competition from the arrival of KFC last year. A spokesman admitted to Guatemala's elPeriodico that China (pictured above) has been a challenging market for the company.

Still, the company is seeking out new markets and continuing its expansion. As I mention in Moon Guatemala [4], Campero may soon be arriving near you - and not just on a tray table or overhead bin on your next flight out of GUA.