Wissel ’ns Wat! sets the Dutch protein transition in motion again
24-2-2026
On March 2, Wissel ’ns Wat! (or in English: Let’s swap) will launch, a new nationwide behaviour-change campaign in the Netherlands that takes over from the ‘National Week Without Meat’ and will now remain active year-round. The campaign focuses on the so-called ‘movable middle’: the 53% of Dutch consumers who rarely choose plant-based alternatives but are open to change when it is practical, tasty, and accessible.
Based on the change in this initiative: why not serve your guests’ favourite dish as a vegetarian option?
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 8
23-2-2026
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:
- Westrock Coffee Company recently announced it has officially achieved its goal of becoming 100% responsibly sourced, fulfilling the commitment the company publicly set in 2021.
- The inaugural Anantara Concorso Roma will bring together 70 historic Italian cars in the heart of Rome. Taking place from the 16th-19th of April 2026.
- The development of the Al Layan Oasis project has been approved, it will become a new environmental and recreational destination in Dubai.
- Heineken® launched two new non-alcoholic flavours, Cold Pressed Lime and Nectarine Juniper, in the US.
- Tim Hortons, a coffee chain from North America, is introducing Golden Cinnamon Cold Foam as a limited-time customization option this spring. The brand also continues to highlight its protein latte platform.
- Jordan olive oil from Lesbos is now available in a paper bottle, made from 94% recycled cardboard, featuring a specially designed pourer that doesn’t spill a drop.
- The Dutch coffee and bagels chain Bagels & Beans distributes nearly 1,000 love cards for Valentine’s Day. We spotted Café Pli, een ‘Café à Lettres’ in Paris, where visitors can write a letter to their future selves!
- Onyx Coffee Lab (USA) tops the list as the best coffee shop in ‘THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS’. Fuku by FriedHats in Amsterdam is ranked number 79! Congrats to all companies on this list!
Enjoy reading!
Soixante in Antwerpen | Where Polish soul and international finesse meet
17-2-2026
In Antwerp, Soixante is steadily building a distinctive culinary identity where Polish roots and international refinement reinforce each other. Under the leadership of chef Jakub “Kuba” Blogowski, a cuisine emerges that is both personal and technically precise: recognizable in flavor, thoughtful in execution, and driven by a clear ambition to continuously refine. The restaurant has received a score of 13.5 in the Gault&Millau guide and is listed in the Michelin Guide, where it is praised for its refined cuisine, focus on vegetables and seafood, and bold flavor combinations.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 7
17-2-2026
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:
- Inspiration for next year! Why not spoil your best male friend for Valentine’s Day? Einstein Bros. Bagels introduced their ‘Bro-quet’!
- Viral push pop sushi has also been spotted in the Netherlands at Twapan in Eindhoven and Rolling Sushi in Amsterdam.
- Fletcher Hotels opens a boutique hotel at Michelin-starred restaurant De Kromme Dissel (*).
- The first location of a fashion-forward café by streetwear brand, 13DE Marzo, opened last November in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. They serve tiny teddy bears with their drinks.
- Jill hotel Brussels & restaurant Nook offer an extensive mocktail menu and serve no alcohol.
- California Almonds partnered with StarChefs to showcase almond creativity on restaurant menus across San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- The Shangri-La hotel group launched a global search for one lucky winner to receive an 88-Night Global Stay.
- Nobu Hospitality will launch Nobu Hotel, Restaurant and exclusive private island residences in the Maldives.
- Mandarin Oriental Hotels will expand its presence in Egypt with two iconic hotels and a luxury Nile cruise experience.
Enjoy reading!
The Gibson Guitar Experience at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale
13-2-2026
This spring, The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale will debut the Gibson Guitar Experience, a monthlong collaboration with iconic music brand Gibson, celebrating more than 130 years of craftsmanship. Running April 10 through May 10 and timed with the Tortuga Music Festival, the initiative transforms the oceanfront resort into a music-inspired destination. Select elements of the experience, including Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Fort Lauderdale, and Sea La Vie Sundeck, are open to both non-hotel guests and hotel visitors, while guests reserving Club Lounge accommodations can enjoy additional amenities.
It’s a great idea for a hotel to capitalize on the music theme when there’s a festival taking place nearby.
2 minute read
Chili’s® Grill & Bar has a special National Margarita Day promotion
12-2-2026
Another great example on how to use a special day provided by Chili’s Grill & Bar for National Margarita Day on February 22nd. As we’re mentioning in our trendmails (you can subscribe here) on Thursday, national and international days are great marketing tools! We publish those days a few weeks ahead, so you’ll we able to create your own promotion!
2 minutes read
Janine Bakery & Restaurant | Two concepts, one soul
10-2-2026
In the heart of Amsterdam in the Renaissance Amsterdam Hotel, Janine Bakery & Restaurant opened its doors: a place where the influences of Italian cuisine meet the free, spontaneous dining culture of San Francisco. A city where sourdough, coffee, and pizza are part of the everyday life.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 6
10-2-2026
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:
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe is celebrating Valentine’s Day with pets, featuring the limited-time Puppy Power Bowl, available through 3 March.
- Starbucks has reached a significant recycling milestone: polypropylene cold to go beverage cups are now recyclable for more than 60% of US households.
- IKEA and Tiny Chef are launching a new mini-series from 2 to 9 February, celebrating the joy of plant-based cooking with the beloved stop-motion character Tiny Chef.
- Wendy’s is marking Singles Awareness Day on 15 February with a special in-app offer: a Dave’s Single® cheeseburger.
- Kwalitaria is the first major Dutch snack chain to introduce completely plastic-free packaging, with fries and snack trays protected by a biodegradable seaweed coating.
- Vaseline® and Red Lobster are launching a temporary Valentine’s Day Kissing Booth in Times Square, from February 10 to 12, featuring exclusive menu items and the new Lip Therapy® collection.
- Café Teichner dal 1922 in Rome is serving an espresso with hazelnut cream and chocolate at Piazza di San Lorenzo in Lucina 15.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 5
3-2-2026
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:
- Airbnb has partnered with chef-led meal delivery service CookUnity to provide prepared meals through Airbnb Services, aiming to simplify dining for travellers and local residents.
- Thompson Hotels collaborates with BERO to expand non-alcoholic offerings and bar programming.
- McDonald’s Germany launches new platform, for everyone who is really hungry.
- AMMOS AMAALA is the first resort of the AMMOS group in the Middle East, located in Saudi Arabia. The resort will open this spring.
- Pizza Hut Dubai hosted a fine-dining Supper Club nobody saw coming.
- ALL Accor has recently announced the launch of its ALL Accor app in ChatGPT designed to enrich the experience of its growing customer base.
- McDonald’s in the US debuts exclusive McNugget® Caviar just in time for Valentine’s Day – at no cost to fans.
- Restaurant Nela in Amsterdam introduces the Family Friendly Affair brunch on Sundays.
- Bagels & Beans has turned 30. What started in 1996 as a quirky café on Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam has grown over the past thirty years into a unique franchise formula with almost 90 locations throughout the Netherlands.
Enjoy reading!
The HEINZ KegChup | The first-ever keg of HEINZ Ketchup!
3-2-2026
Just in time for the Big Game, HEINZ is cracking open a bold new way to enjoy America’s favorite condiment. Introducing the HEINZ KegChup: the first-ever keg filled with unmistakably rich HEINZ ketchup. Inspired by a solution the beer industry has relied on for decades to ensure fans never run dry, the HEINZ KegChup makes sure watch parties are never short on the crowd’s favorite condiment, because an empty ketchup bottle might be an even bigger party foul than a dry keg.
1 minute read
Wissel ’ns Wat! sets the Dutch protein transition in motion again
