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And as of today, it's officially been opened in Belize City. Our news team got an early taste of the items on their menu last night. Courtney Menzies has that story.

Sbarro is bringing their New York style pizza to Belize City. Their doors officially opened today after a small ribbon cutting and tasting ceremony held last night.

Currently, it's the only American fast food franchise in Belize, and Mayor Bernard Wagner says it shouldn't be the last.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"We need more, we need more franchises and I'm so excited and feel so fulfilled in respect to the franchise taking footing in Belize City. We are the commercial center and we have over 70,000 residents living in our city and in additional to that we have thousands and thousand of people coming into the city each and every day to work in our city and so I'm excited about it and I look forward to additional franchises."

"I tried it in New York so it's a very good brand and when I was told that Sbarro was coming to Belize City, I was like whoa. Now we need to see the Starbucks, we need to see - you're a coffee guy right? We need to see more of these franchises because people identify with branding."

And while there are plenty of other pizza parlors in the city, the CEO of Sbarro Belize told us why Belizeans should give their pie a try.

Jennifer Corzo, CEO, SBarro Belize
"We are happy to be here, we are waiting and we open the doors tomorrow so we want all Belizean families to try our products because we don't just have pizza, we have Stromboli, breadsticks, and we are happy to be here and have more food options."

Reporter:
"What makes Sbarro stand out?"

Jennifer Corzo, CEO, SBarro Belize
"Of course the quality of our ingredients, the quality of the final products and our installations too."

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"What it does, it gives people options and employees, I understand the close to 800 people work right next door to Sbarro. It's a brand and so people obviously will have appeal to it. The economic benefits are that when tourists visit your country they're always looking to identify with certain brands and this is just a starting point in my view. It shows that Belize City is getting that footing that is needed in terms of economic development, in terms of diversifying our entire economy and having a franchise putting a footprint now in Belize City, what can I say?"

And those who had got a taste last night say it's worth trying:

Courtney Menzies:
"How's the pizza that you're trying right now?"

Customer
"Very good. It's delicious."

Courtney Menzies:
"Are you excited about this chain here in Belize?"

Customer
"Yes, very excited."

Courtney Menzies:
"Have you ever had it before?"

Customer
"No, actually it's the first time."

Staff, Transparent BPO
"It's wonderful."

Courtney Menzies:
"How do you feel that it's right next door to you guys?"

Staff, Transparent BPO
"It's been a real plus for our employees that they offer so much right here. Our employees have found it real nice, the pizza, the groceries everything, it's been a real bonus that they can get everything right next door and they can take it home with them."

Staff, Transparent BPO
"I think the pizza is really different, even the breadsticks that we had is different, it has a different flavor, different seasoning, the cheese, everything on it is good. Everyone has to come over and try it at some point."

But is it good enough to last? Two franchises have tried to open shop in Belize, and have had to close their doors. The mayor said that they should be "given a run" on importation costs.

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"People evolve, economies evolve and I believe maybe it was that time was not the right time. I was around when KFC used to be right downstairs, right in front of City Hall, where City Hall is and I remember Subway as well. But we have to make the incentives competitive for these franchises in terms of cost of production, it has to be a situation where the importation for the products that will make the end product, it has to be, you have to give people some rum in terms of what you charge, importation and that sort of thing. That is important is we want to see more franchises in Belize City."

Courtney Menzies:
"That same "give them a run," you know the other pizza companies will have an issue with that especially because many of them import some of their products as well."

Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"Well again, it's about finding the right mix and I am certain that our government looks from a wide perspective in always ensuring that our Belizean businesses have the right environment. From my standpoint in the city, we have been the biggest supporter of local economy, local investors, local businesses, we have supported them fully."

And Sbarro also uses local vegetables and flour to make their pizzas. A slice goes for $10 to $13, and a whole pie ranges between $50 and $60.

Sbarro currently employs eight Belizeans.