Trends we spotted | Week 4
27-1-2026
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:
- Did you know that 1 in 8 Americans has worked at a McDonald’s restaurant at some point? McDonald’s in the US taps into this insight with McDonald’s Arches & Ambition, the 1 in 8 Mentorship Program.
- Bouldering is also fairly popular in the Netherlands. Recently, we came across two new variations: moving climbing walls.
- Happy Doggo: squeaky dog toys shaped like fries, sandwiches and burgers at McDonald’s France. Likely a hit with many Dutch dog lovers and McDo fans as well!
- Burger King US introduced The Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper as part of its ‘Whopper by You’ initiative.
- McDonald’s Germany launched a new vegetarian platform with the introduction of five plant-based products: Veggie lovers welcome.
- On Saturday 31 January, Stooges’ Funhouse opens in Het Industriegebouw on Rotterdam’s Goudsesingel. This will be their second location in Rotterdam.
- From February 26 until the next edition of De Vrienden van Amstel LIVE, a musical get-together, hits the road. Every Thursday evening, a different traditional pub hosts a night full of music, friendship and atmosphere: Amstel LIVE in the pub.
- Van Gelder Netherlands, producer of plant-based products, launched a unique range of seven fully plant-based sauces and dressings for the foodservice market during HORECAVA 2026.
Enjoy reading!
Young Poelzicht talent given the spotlight | Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau has opened in Tiel
23-1-2026
Since January 7 2026, the Betuwe region in the Netherlands has gained a new culinary hotspot: Wine Bar & Bistro Petit Caveau in Tiel. Located in one of the oldest listed buildings in the historic city centre at Korenbeursplein 1. Edwin Muns, an experienced entrepreneur joins forces with young talents Camilo van Drumpt Sanstra and Olivier Landewers from Brasserie Poelzicht. The result is an intimate venue where fresh Mediterranean bistro dishes, genuine hospitality and a distinctive wine list come together.
2 minutes read
Reservation system FRANK conquers the top of Dutch gastronomy
9-1-2026
Even before its official launch, the Dutch reservation system FRANK has already gained a prominent position within Dutch gastronomy. While the system will officially debut on 12 January 2026 at the Wine Professional trade fair in Amsterdam, numerous leaders in Dutch gastronomy are already working with the software. Its focus on AI and seamless integration of reservations and guest data already make FRANK the new standard for hospitality.
2 minute read
New Dutch brand Bo&Co introduces locally produced organic syrups
9-1-2026
The new Dutch brand Bo&Co is introducing a range of locally produced organic syrups, developed for professional use in the hospitality and retail sectors. The brand is launching with five flavours: Lemon, Strawberry, Raspberry, Lemongrass–Ginger and Elderflower, made with carefully selected organic ingredients. The official market launch of Bo&Co will take place during Horecava 2026.
1 minute read
Inspiration for 2026, from 2025
8-1-2026
Approachable inspiration, trends and highlights from 2025 that can be easily applied to your own business in 2026. A whitepaper to scroll through when you need ideas.
You can download the whitepaper for free on the next page.
Sweetened, lactose-free whipped cream by Milram
6-1-2026
We start 2026 with an article about an innovative, new product: the sweetened, lactose-free whipped cream by Milram that will be introduced at the Horecava in Amsterdam. The foodservice market continues to evolve as consumer preferences change and demand grows for dietary options such as lactose-free and lower-sugar products. Even in seemingly mature product categories, there is room for innovation. With this new whipped cream Milram demonstrates how quality, convenience and market insight come together.
2 minutes read
Celest opens the sky bar to the public
22-12-2025
From January 2nd, Celest’s sky bar will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy cocktails, bites and breathtaking views of the Rotterdam skyline at no extra cost. This follows the reopening, which will be festively celebrated with a New Year’s Eve party on December 31.
2 minutes read
Soenil Bahadoer is the first Dutch chef to join the Dom Pérignon Society
22-12-2025
Dom Pérignon is proud to announce that chef Soenil Bahadoer has become the first Dutch chef to join the Dom Pérignon Society. With his admission, Bahadoer joins a select international collective of chefs, artists and creative innovators who share the core values of the champagne house of Dom Pérignon: craftsmanship, imagination and the pursuit of perfection within the limits of a single harvest year.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 51
19-12-2025
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:
- Spotted in New York: the push pop sushi van Suka Sushi!
- Horta Grand Café & Art Nouveau Room in Antwerp, are celebrating their 25th anniversary, marked among other things by the launch of a unique coffee table book.
- Leonardo Hotels is expanding its portfolio in the Benelux with the dynamic lifestyle brand NYX Hotels. The former Eden Hotel will be divided into a Leonardo hotel and NYX Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandt Square.
- Frites Atelier, the innovative fast casual concept from Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman, opened its first Frites Atelier London location on Saturday December 13.
- Early December, Hotel Des Indes in the Hague, officially opened the Anna Pavlova Champagne Lounge and unveiled the Pavlova Christmas tree. Anna Pavlova was a famous ballerina and regular guest of the hotel. Beautiful theme!
- Chipotle has teamed up with travel brand BÉIS, to launch an exclusive travel essentials collection inspired by Chipotle’s iconic packaging. Béispotle: ‘The To-Go Collection’.
- Last weekend, PoPPo, a hyperlocal micro-mall, was launched in Amsterdam North in the 600 m² former Blokker building.
- A Pizza Wrap-Up by Domino’s Pizza Belgium, highlighting, among other things, which city consumes the most pizzas from the brand and which pizza is the most popular in Belgium.
- Early December, Albron opened a coffeecompany location at Amsterdam UMC. It is the first coffeecompany outlet in a hospital environment.
- On Monday, December 15, the Top 50 best Italian restaurants were announced, including a separate Top 50 for restaurants outside Italy. Restaurant Aroma Italian Fine Dining from Vaassen once again earned a place on this prestigious list, ranking 48th. Restaurant Pianeta Terra in Amsterdam ranked 31st.
Enjoy reading!
What’s your breakfast strategy?
15-12-2025
In September 2025, I was quoted in a BBC Travel article on changing breakfast experiences. The article, titled “Is it time to retire the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet?”, explores how breakfast habits around the world are evolving — and which traditions are here to stay. Some trends are obvious, such as the growing focus on healthier dishes and products. Others, like the continued desire for abundance resulting in waste, are more open to debate. This article reflects our perspective on breakfast strategy. ^Marjolein van Spronsen
3 minutes read
A music get-together in traditional Dutch bars - Amstel Live in the pub
McDonald's in the US launched Arches & Ambition - The 1 in 8 Mentorship Program
Stooges’ opens second location in Het Industriegebouw in Rotterdam - credits Michelle Margot
Van Gelder Nederland - carrot, ginger & lemongrass dressing
Burger King kicked off the year with a new guest-Inspired creation - The Ultimate Steakhouse Whopper
