Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Starbucks, McDonald's and KFC to be built in Cusco, Peru

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

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The corner where the new KFC is to be built.

© El Comercio

Starbucks, the largest coffeehouse company in the world, has set its sights on a locale in one of Peru's most touristic regions, Cusco.

The coffee and coffeehouse chain is willing to pay any price for a spot near Cusco city's main plaza, said the owners of the traditional El Ayllu cafe.

The representatives of Cusco's archbishopric and owners of El Ayllu, stated that Starbucks was willing to pay a high price for their corner coffee shop.

The Seattle-based corporation is not the only U.S. company interested in investing in a place near one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, McDonald's and KFC have affirmed that they too are going to invest in property near the Inca Citadel.

Even though real estate prices in Cusco city have doubled and in some cases tripled, McDonald's - the world's largest chain of fast food restaurants, has already set aside the locale where Bohemia restaurant used to be.

The company is negotiating the rental of the establishment with the owners, the Transporters Association of Cusco.

KFC, on the other hand, is to be located on the corner of Cusco's main square.

An inauguration date for the KFC and the McDonald's has not been announced yet but both locales are currently being remodeled.

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# WOW says :
15 May, 2008 [ 13:02 ]

wow, just what Cusco was missing? What no Tequilla Rocks? They will soon make the list of the top 7 tourist traps of the world. LOL

# Concla81 says :
15 May, 2008 [ 13:20 ]

I hate the idea of having a Mcdonalds, KFC or Starbucks in Cusco. the least we need is for Cusco to become a Disney Land or any common vacacion stop.

# superpaolita says :
15 May, 2008 [ 13:23 ]

I think why tourist like cuzco is also bcoz the main plaza actually looks as a ancient city_ with not all those modern american fast food_ don't get me wrong I love them too, just think starbucks shud be located close to bohemia but defo not where El Ayllu cafè is, plus ayllus coffe is less then $1 < last time I had one there> Starbucks prices in Lima are the same as in America...

# danidanado says :
15 May, 2008 [ 13:59 ]

What a shame, I'm so sad that these icons will deface the magical place which is believed by many to be the Navel of the World.  Certainly do hope that they're forced to keep their signage low key so as not to diminish the spirituality and the magic of this unique city.  I think I'd like to open a Chicha House in protest.  And serve coca tea next to Starbucks.  Anybody with me?

# WOW says :
15 May, 2008 [ 14:05 ]

Navel of the world? What a joke MP is a very new place which has benifited greatly from marketing try going to Caral, thats more like the navel of the world or at least the americas

# superpaolita says :
15 May, 2008 [ 14:05 ]

I'm in !!!

# superpaolita says :
15 May, 2008 [ 14:10 ]

I know there's a new Bembos hamburger place.. but they are peruvian... (with argentinian meat?) and peruvian sandwichs/burger recipes.

# Micaela says :
15 May, 2008 [ 14:55 ]

This is totally a terrible idea, so bad tooo bad idea, How on earth people are happy oo create a sturbucks, Mcdonal's anf KFC. This would definitely change the beautifull face of cuzco I belive, but if u guys are going to do it anyway the best thing is to charge them a lot lots of money for renting the locals because in London for example they pay a lot of money. And the prices for a humburguer are cheaper than in Lima,increidble. SO guys dont be silly.  

# Carlos A. Quiroz says :
15 May, 2008 [ 15:02 ]

You know, I like coffee and Starbucks is not too bad. The problem is that I've heard that Peruvians are racially discriminated in the Starbucks of Lima. Some dark-skinned people are simply not allowed in.

Now if you ask me, what I think of KFC and McDonalds opening locations in Cusco, especially in its main square? I am truly against it. Seriously, the last thing cusquenos need is junk American food at ridiculous prices.

What is next? Victoria Secrets and Cheek&Cheese?

# Anonymous Dave says :
15 May, 2008 [ 15:27 ]

Sad.

# Daniel says :
15 May, 2008 [ 15:52 ]

This is garbage. They aren't opening up to cater to the cusquenos who won't be able to afford the greasy, disgusting chicken and burgers. All their patronage will come from overweight American's looking to get a taste of home when traveling abroad. Where are the palestinian's when you need them??? To hell with these 3 companies!

# superpaolita says :
15 May, 2008 [ 16:20 ]

We (peruvians) don't hate americans, k?
but think it was a lil "touch" NOT having those places around the main plaza. But, think if you were born in cuzco, and maybe never had the chance to come to Lima and see and eat in these places. I also think cuzco ppl have their right to enjoy this around_the_world known places in the city right????? but WHY in the main plazaaa!!!!!! grrrr they will have thousands of customers anyways... 

# Anonymous Dave says :
15 May, 2008 [ 16:57 ]

superpaolita,

The reason why they will be located in the plaza is because these businesses have no interest in cusco people trying out the food. This is directly targeted to visitors from one nation.

# Daniel says :
15 May, 2008 [ 16:59 ]

I can't really understand what you are trying to say above. No offense.
But believe me, cusquenos aren't missing out on having kfc, mcdonalds, or starbucks around the corner.  It's overpriced and unhealthly. I rather eat food from the local street vendor next time I visit Cuzco again then stop into one of these places.

# STFU says :
15 May, 2008 [ 16:59 ]

"They aren't opening up to cater to the cusquenos who won't be able to afford the greasy, disgusting chicken and burgers"
actually  mcdondals in peru is really cheap

# WOW says :
15 May, 2008 [ 17:05 ]

Just go to the MCD in Miraflores and see how many Peruvians are eating there, they out number everyone else. Dont ask me why? Maybe they like paying high prices for crappy food

# CapitanDan says :
15 May, 2008 [ 17:25 ]

This is truly a Travesty. I hope that they keep the original Facade of the buildings and PULLLLEASE don't have those golden arches up with the stupid sign we have sold over 15 billion hamburgers and helped poison millions of people. Starbucks is more people oriented by paying a decent price to the farmers . I have faith they will tone down their building and blend in. With a KFC in the area the local rat population will be kept in check. Next I foresee Plastic Pink Flamingo's being imported to make the Gringo's feel more at home. This is the down side of Capitalism my friends. Chau.

# superpaolita says :
15 May, 2008 [ 18:27 ]

i know i know, was just saying, you seen those lil kids "working" as tourist guides =(
they are kidsss, watching these advertisements on tv all the time... anyways.. was just saying I don't like mcd but I do like hot wings =)
cheers
world peace BYE

# E. Laureano says :
15 May, 2008 [ 18:46 ]

Sorry.. but I love the Idea having KFC, star bucks.. and so... lets stop being so pesemistic...  I am peruvian and I love all this comunities.. well.. if some don't like them I guess could chooses other ones.  It's a choice brother!

# u_know_it says :
15 May, 2008 [ 20:57 ]

well at least the "bloated" americans won't get diarrhea by eating in a KFC or McD's instead of the local chifa or street vendor.  Decrying these as expensive tourist traps is also total hypocrisy, anyone who's eaten around the plaza knows how overpriced the tourist restaurants are for just dry cuye, give me a 4 sole McNifica burger anyday!  And the cusquenos are more capitalistic than the gringos, if they didn't want these businesses there, they wouldn't be allowed to enter.  Peru is NOT a free market.  The cusqueno property owner negotiating a rental agreement with McDonalds is the Transporters Association of Cusco.  The same clowns that stop up the airport and threaten independent taxi drivers with loss of life if they don't strike.  Maybe they want to force the gringos to stay in cusco forever and be forced to eat at a peruvian owned McDonalds everyday LoL...

# David says :
15 May, 2008 [ 23:51 ]

What a disappointment. It is hard to resist the money, but disappointing anyway.

# Rene says :
16 May, 2008 [ 02:07 ]

I'm so sad about this..

McDonalds and Sturbucks has nothing to search in a nice city like cuzco.
Just think about all the trash will end up on the roads like you can see on any places around the world where is a "McIdiot" is located.

Please stop this americanism at least in the andes.. I don't care if they have some at Lima..

Cheers

# Micaela says :
16 May, 2008 [ 04:14 ]

I AM totally agree with Carlos A. and Daniel. Cuzco wont be the same if they have the Americans companies around. So sad for cuzco.
President should do something to avoit this racial discrimianation for once in thier lifes.

# FeLLInLoveinCusco says :
16 May, 2008 [ 08:52 ]

Cusco as a city has a special magic, these stores opening there will definetly take away from that magic.  

# Rita says :
16 May, 2008 [ 08:53 ]

Please send your concerns to CUarto poder maybe they could do a piece and inform us about the plans and how are they planning to do the construction without putting so many modern building and keeping the old city look.


http://www.americatv.com.pe/cuartopoder/contactenos.asp

# Carlos A. Quiroz says :
16 May, 2008 [ 12:47 ]

Just a quick note: people, please get updated and educated: Cusco is spelled with S -both in English and Spanish- because it is derived from the Quechua word Qosqo. All the institutions and scholars of Cusco have already said it several times: Cusco with Z is offensive to them. Thank you.

Getting back to this topic: after MCD, KFC and SB open in Cusco, be prepared to see a Burger King and Hooters in Aguas Calientes. Even worse, Walt Disney might buy Machu Picchu. Don't you love neoliberal economy? Aww free market, is all about money, money, money...

# CapitanDan says :
16 May, 2008 [ 12:50 ]

My Friends Cusco is not Disneyland . I see nothing wrong with Disneyland. In the U.S. and Europe their are Historical landmark associations that preside over certain Buildings and areas to preserve the History, Culture and That way of life that we came from. These Associations have power and are made up of the residents with little Government input. I have a friend who owns a Building in the U.S. and he can not alter anything on the outside of the building without submitting plans to the Association. That is what we need here, before the buildings are changed forever. I have no problem with KFC and the others selling their product. If you want to have a big arse and have to pay for 2 seats on a plane or bus , or keep the seamstresses and Tailor's busy expanding your legacy that's your right in a free society's am concerned with preserving Peru's history.I think we should demand that the wrappings of this food be wrapped in Biodegradable paper and no plastic. It is now that we must do something not later. Chau Friends

# Karina says :
31 May, 2008 [ 00:01 ]

STFU,

I don't know where you live , but $4.00 for a burguer? It might be ok for the United States but for Peru? I don't think I would say Mcdonalds in Peru is really cheap.

# danidanado says :
31 May, 2008 [ 12:05 ]

I stand by what I said earlier.  According to legend, CUSCO, was built where it is because of it's geographical relation to the stars.  It is beleived still by many to be the Navel ( center ) of this living planet.  I would hate to see this magical city defaced by McD's, KFC's etc. and their neon signs.  Next time I'm there I guess I'll hang out at the Mirador de los Incas, drink a bit of chicha and blow some holy smoke in their direction!