Trends we spotted | Week 33
IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings ‘Bed on the Baseline’ to the 2025 US Open
IHG’s signature US Open cocktail - the Watermelon Slice
Sugar-free vanilla ice cream at restaurant Sel Gris in Knokke-Heist
The Peach Cobbler Factory Mobile units
Dave & Buster’s expands in Mumbai as international growth accelerates
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:
- Polish bakery brand Fit Cake, with over 80 locations in Poland, has opened its first Canadian store on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, offering signature gluten- and sugar-free treats!
- Sugar-free vanilla ice cream at restaurant Sel Gris in Knokke-Heist, proof that dietary restrictions can still taste delicious! And why not put in on your menu?
- The world’s only Michelin three-star vegan restaurant, Eleven Madison Park, will serve meat and fish again. Check out all the details of this change in the article.
- Xi Home Dumplings -The dumpling Bay in London, together with Marley Bones Dog Food, is serving free doggy dumplings from National Dog Day through September 9.
- Located in Hollywood, California, the Tesla Diner combines a supercharging station, a classic American diner and a drive-in experience, all in one.
- In the US, The Peach Cobbler Factory created mobile units to bring its desserts to smaller towns and other events.
- IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings ‘Bed on the Baseline’ to the 2025 US Open.
- Dave & Buster’s has opened its second location in India—a 22,000 sq. ft. venue on the fourth floor of the Infiniti Mall in Mumbai, in partnership with the Malpani Group. And they have many upcoming venues planned!
Enjoy reading!
Polish bakery Fit Cake launches in Canada
Polish bakery brand Fit Cake, with over 80 locations in Poland, has launched its first Canadian store on Toronto’s Bloor Street West. The launch attracted large crowds eager to try the company’s signature gluten- and sugar-free treats. Owners Elżbieta and Maks, a Polish-Canadian couple, aim to appeal to both local residents and Toronto’s sizeable Polish community, reflecting the growing demand for healthy eating and international concepts. Check out their website, link in the title.
Sugar-free vanilla ice cream at restaurant Sel Gris in Knokke-Heist
At restaurant Sel Gris (*) in Knokke-Heist, Belgium everything revolves around the guests. Chef Frederik Deceuninck, who previously worked at renowned restaurants such as De Karmeliet, pours his passion and talent into creating dishes that delight more than just the taste buds. Dining here is truly a feast, set along the beautiful Zeedijk with breathtaking views of the beach and sea.
You can explore his menu on his personal website. We absolutely enjoyed the many delicious amuses and our main courses, 5 servings of lobster and fried goose liver with peach & lavender! But what stood out was the dessert option for diabetics: sugar-free vanilla ice cream, served with orange or chocolate sauce. And we didn’t miss the taste of sugar. Inspiration for other restaurants? The website of Sel Gris is linked in the title.
The world’s only Michelin three-star vegan restaurant will serve meat and fish again
We did read it in an announcement made on Instagram by chef Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park (***). Starting October 14, the restaurant will integrate their a new approach into its menu, one that embraces choice. In his update, Daniel Humm explains: “It became clear that while we had built something meaningful, we had also unintentionally kept people out. This is the opposite of what we believe hospitality to be”. More details in the full menu update via the link in the title.
Another way to attract dog lovers to your restaurant
Here’s another fun idea for National Dog Day: restaurant Xi Home Dumplings -The dumpling Bay in Convent Garden and on Liverpool Street, together with Marley Bones Dog Food, is serving free doggy dumplings from August 26 to September 9. Check out the reel below in which two dogs, Piccolina and Snoopy show how delicious the dumplings are!
According to Teresa Keohane of ‘Dog Friendly London’ the staff were very welcoming. The guest’ dog receive the free dog dumplings when purchasing a main for humans. Xi Home Dumplings Bay is dog-friendly year-round.
Dit bericht op Instagram bekijken
Check out the reel in the link in the title. Located in Hollywood, California, the Tesla Diner combines a supercharging station, a classic American diner and a drive-in experience all wrapped up in one. With retro-futuristic design elements, it offers both Telsa and non-Tesla drivers charging access along the historic Route 66 highway.
Back in 2018, we published about ‘the gym of the future’, reimagining fuel stations as places to fuel our bodies once car become autonomous. The Tesla Diner is a glimpse into that evolving future of roadside stops, showing how traditional fuel stations might transform. Here in Europe, the first Porsche charging lounge was introduced in Bingen am Rhein last year, echoing the familiar look of conventional fuel stations. Compared to that, the Tesla Diner feels a bit over the top but undeniably original in its design!
The Peach Cobbler Factory in the US | Mobile units bring their products to smaller towns
The Peach Cobbler Factory (PCF), a fast-growing dessert chain with 115+ locations across 22 states in the US, has launched a mobile dessert division to help franchisees expand reach and boost profits at a lower cost. The mobile units bring PCF’s Southern-inspired desserts to fairs, sporting events, weddings, retirement homes, and more.
Following a successful pilot program, results showed significant sales and profit increases when operated under PCF guidelines. Each unit is built to company standards, fully equipped, and supplied daily by the franchisee’s brick-and-mortar store. Available only to existing or new store franchisees, the mobile program offers a reduced franchise fee, attractive unit cost, and financing options. CEO Greg George calls it a “game-changer” for brand awareness and flexibility. Franchisee Davin Riggan reports strong demand, with lines of customers at every stop, leading him to purchase a second mobile unit alongside his thriving store. Inspiration for other chains? Their press release is linked in the title.
IHG Hotels & Resorts Brings ‘Bed on the Baseline’ to the 2025 US Open
For its seventh year as the official hotel partner of the US Open, IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering tennis fans exclusive experiences both on and off the court. The highlight is ‘Bed on the Baseline’, where one IHG One Rewards member and a guest can enjoy a luxurious breakfast in bed on the Louis Armstrong Stadium court, days after the pros have played. The VIP package includes private transport, concierge service, plush robes, and IHG’s signature US Open cocktail. The cocktail, the Watermelon Slice, made with Moët & Chandon, watermelon juice, elderflower liqueur, and lime, served in a collectible cup. Available at the IHG Racquet Bar and select NYC hotels, the cocktail is part of a broader line-up of giveaways, activations, and member-only perks designed to make the 2025 US Open a hospitality-driven celebration of tennis.
With a family of 20 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes with over 145 million members, IHG has more than one million rooms and 6,700 open hotels in over 100 countries, and a development pipeline of over 2,200 properties. More details in their press release.
Dave & Buster’s expands in Mumbai as international growth accelerates
Dave & Buster’s has opened its second location in India—a 22,000 sq. ft. venue on the fourth floor of Infiniti Mall in Mumbai—in partnership with the Malpani Group. Following the success of its first Bangalore location, this opening marks a key milestone in the brand’s aggressive international growth, with upcoming venues planned in Manila, Santo Domingo, Perth, and Mexico City for 2026 and 2027.
Known for its blend of crave-worthy food, dynamic drinks, interactive games, and competitive socializing experiences, Dave & Buster’s aims to strengthen its position as a top global entertainment destination. The expansion strategy combines strong local partnerships with the proven brand formula that has succeeded in diverse markets. With over 200 venues in North America and a growing international footprint, Dave & Buster’s is cementing its status as a leader in the competitive socializing space. More details in their press release, link in the title.
