South American fast-food chains use Florida as gateway to the US market

Latin American restaurant chains are opening locations in Florida in hopes of expanding throughout the United States.

Colombian coffee house Juan Valdez, hamburger chain El Corral and Brazilian chain Giraffas are among the companies that have opened stores in Florida.

America's fast-food and fast-casual restaurants generate a combined $231 billion annually in sales, so these chains see a big opportunity.

And they are courting Americans across the board, not just Latin American immigrants.