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NewsWhore
12-11-2008, 07:02 PM
The sale of 'yaniqueques' has proved to be one of the most profitable informal businesses over the last few years, according to a report in El Caribe. The market generates earnings of between RD$1,000 and RD$2,000 per day, depending of the location of the sales point. Street corners near private schools, public schools, markets and businesses are locations that report earnings of between RD$20,000 and RD$35,000 per month, without working on holidays or weekends.
The prices of the popular food vary. They are sold for between RD$10 and RD$40 pesos, depending on the filling the client wants: eggs, vegetables, cheese, chicken with cheese or shrimps.
Jose Mercedes has been working for three years in this business which he started with just RD$5000. Hard work and the aim of providing a better life for his family of four have forced him to learn business management and open four 'yaniqueque' establishments which are administered by his eldest son, who studies accounting in his spare time. This chain of small businesses produces between RD$15,000 and RD$20,000 each.
Another small businessman is Junior Sosa, who earns between RD$1,000 to RD$1,700 per day. He started because he wanted to be his own boss. Since he has opened two more places and paid for his accountancy degree. Like him, many 'yaniqueque' salesmen are university students and most of them study for business-related degrees, while dreaming of becoming medium-sized businesses.
The tradition of making 'yaniqueques' began with the US invasion in 1916 and rationing of flour called "Plo Plo". It was then that someone took the initiative of frying the batter and the soldiers named the result "Johnny Cake" which, according to the story, is an allusion to the inventor, or perhaps it resembled another Dominican dish.

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