OK, Wing zone maybe and Dairy Queen definitely but Juan Valdez… oh no, tell me it ain’t so.  Maybe they will open up next to Starbucks!!    Look out,  the Franchises are coming to a corner near you.

Franchise operations in the country are planning new openings for this year, 2012, driven by economic growth.

Such is the case of Wing Zone Panama which has three restaurants in the country, and plans this year to open five new branches, said Adalberto Ferrer managing partner of the chain.

“While Rodrigo Ocampo, director for Latin America Public Relations Services AMGW, stressed that Panama is the first country in the world to open franchise stores, referring to the long awaited arrival of Juan Valdez ® Coffee shop, located in the Trump Ocean Club ® International Hotel & Tower Panama.

Loretta Fadul, Dairy Queen CEO, said they currently have ten branches, including the recently opened at Mile 8 and La Chorrera where they have had a great reception. He added that they hope to soon have new branches in Centennial Square, Plaza Las Americas and other shopping centers”, reported Capital.com.pa

Source: Capital.com.pa