Despite recent the economic crisis and downturns in several important countries in the region, Latin America still remains a crucial trading and investment area for multinationals. For after over a decade of full-blown globalization efforts by the government and international investors, Ecuador has opened to foreign investment. Within this framework the country has welcomed dozens of international franchises including McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Baskin & Robbins, Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Dunkin Donuts, TGI Fridays, Tony Roma’s, Hugo Boss, Blockbuster, Tower Records, and ACE Hardware, Hamburguesas El Corral, Subway, The Growth Coach, among others.