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VYVO launches new category of ‘Clean Functional Drinks’ | No sugar, no sweeteners, just focus

16-6-2026

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Consumers increasingly want the benefits of functional beverages, but they are becoming more critical about what goes into them. In a market filled with sugar and artificial additives, demand is growing for an effective alternative that supports wellbeing and mental sharpness without unnecessary ingredients. Amsterdam-based VYVO is responding to this trend with a functional soft drink that is free from both sugar and sweeteners, yet designed to give your day a healthy boost.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 24

16-6-2026

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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:

• McDonald’s Netherlands is organizing an introductory session on June 30 for entrepreneurs who have a serious interest in running their own McDonald’s restaurant.
• Vault Bar, the renowned cocktail bar located within Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, has been named one of the Best Hotel Bars for 2026 by the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide.
• The iconic New York restaurant Dante has opened a permanent restaurant and bar at Claridge’s hotel. Dante Mayfair has officially made the transition from pop-up concept to permanent London venue.
• A fun idea: a date night at the zoo! Through July 24, adults can enjoy Zoo Nights at London Zoo. Could this be an inspiring concept for other zoos?
• La Marzocco has unveiled the Azteca, a unique espresso machine inspired by the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
• Alcohol-free beer is gaining ground in sports canteens, according to Heineken Netherlands.
• The Manor Hotel in Amsterdam East has officially reopened its doors as part of the exclusive Leonardo Limited Edition collection.
• Since June 11, the Dutch hospitality industry has been fully embracing the World Cup. A great example is Villa Kakelbont in Rotterdam.
• To further promote the OneUnit message, SpiritsNL will organize a nationwide roadshow in 2026, visiting eight major Dutch cities. OneUnit cocktails and mixed drinks contain one standard serving of alcohol.

Enjoy reading!

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Zwarte Cross and Grolsch launch special ‘t Geet Hier Spoken can for the 2026 edition

12-6-2026

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The Dutch festival Zwarte Cross and Grolsch have joined forces to introduce an exclusive half-litre can in celebration of Zwarte Cross 2026. The special edition can is entirely dedicated to ‘t Geet Hier Spoken! (“Things Are Going to Get Wild Here!”), the theme of the upcoming festival edition. With this launch, the two brands bring their long-standing partnership to life in a striking design that will be available in supermarkets from June 15.

1 minute read

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Van Gelder introduces an AI recipe assistant | New tool supports chefs with recipe development and menu inspiration

11-6-2026

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From recipe development to menu inspiration, artificial intelligence is increasingly finding its way into professional kitchens. To support chefs and hospitality entrepreneurs, Van Gelder has introduced an AI recipe assistant. This digital tool provides users with inspiration for dishes, cooking techniques, and applications for fresh ingredients within seconds.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 23

9-6-2026

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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:

• Michelin-starred Restaurant Spetters presents Spetters – Shaped by Time, an anniversary book that brings together fifteen years of culinary development, personal stories, and signature recipes.
• Following several months of renovation, the Hulstkamp Gebouw on Rotterdam’s Noordereiland has reopened and is once again fully operational.
• On June 2, restaurant chain De Beren opened a new location in Duiven, situated at the largest food court in the Netherlands, near the A12 motorway.
• Mini Masters Playground in Waddinxveen has recently opened its doors. This interactive indoor play world allows children to discover a variety of professions through play.
• Radisson Hotel Group has added two new European properties to its portfolio: the design-focused Radisson RED Innsbruck in Austria and the characterful Gonville Hotel in Cambridge.
• Spotted on Instagram: the Negroni Float at Mister McCoy Island Ice Mallorca.
• Dutch wine growers produced approximately 11,752 hectolitres of wine during the past wine year, more than 1.5 million bottles and double the volume produced the previous year.
• Manex Properties, the joint venture between AMANO Group and Excellion Capital, has secured planning permission to transform Waterman House in London into a boutique AMANO hotel.

Enjoy reading!

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Longevity | Hotels & wellness resorts are embracing the trend

5-6-2026

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Medical wellness retreats have been around for decades, but today we see an increasing number of hotels and resorts embracing the longevity trend. Around the world, more and more research is being conducted to answer the growing demand for a healthier and longer life. Longevity has become a key focus online, in luxury hotels and resorts, and increasingly in restaurants and wellness concepts. But how can hospitality entrepreneurs respond to this trend? In this article, we share ideas, inspiring examples and links to hoteliers who already offer longevity programmes.

4 minutes read

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AWAKE Chocolate launches the first ‘turn up service’ in the Walker Hotels

5-6-2026

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AWAKE Chocolate is partnering with Walker Hotels, luxury, design-driven properties across New York City, to help hospitality turn things up this summer. Known for leaving chocolates on pillows at night, hotels have long made ‘turn-down service’ a signature, luxurious ritual. But AWAKE knows people need a pick-me-up when they get up! To mark the launch of the new AWAKE Crispy Milk Chocolate Bites (50 mg of caffeine per bite), the brand is introducing the ‘Turn Up Service trolley’ in June: a wake-up call on wheels.

2 minutes read

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Growing portfolio in the Netherlands for Limehome

4-6-2026

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With a new location in Rotterdam, Limehome will be represented in the five largest cities in the Netherlands from the second quarter of 2027. By then, the company will operate more than 210 rooms across nine properties in Amsterdam, The Hague, Eindhoven, Utrecht and Rotterdam.

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 22

2-6-2026

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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:

• Pizza Hut recently announced the latest addition to its Hut Crust platform: the new Crispy Parm Pan Pizza.
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has introduced its ‘Perfect Americano Menu’, built around its signature premium L.A. Espresso.
• Too Good To Go now also delivers rescued food directly to consumers’ doorsteps in Germany.
• Claridge’s Bakery in London recently introduced a daily Mayfair Meal Deal, featuring a signature sandwich, a drink and a sweet treat.
• In an industry first, Mews and Uber are integrating ride bookings directly into the hotel management system.
• Smyth in Chicago is named number 1 on the list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
• Crystal Lagoons launches new 500 m² small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model.

Enjoy reading!

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KFC’s light-meal concept, KPRO is growing fast in China

28-5-2026

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Yum China Holdings, Inc. announced that KFC’s light-meal concept, KPRO, has surpassed 300 locations in China and is on track to reach 600 locations by year–end, up from just over 200 in 2025.

2 minutes read

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