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Trends we spotted | Week 9

3-3-2026

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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:

• Burger King is introducing updates to its iconic Whopper, including a new bun and box packaging.
• Live Más LIVE 2026 by Taco Bell, a Hollywood-themed event revealing its 2026 menu innovations.
• Kyriad has launched ‘Prompt It’ the first AI-powered travel guide created by the brand.
• Travel and Tour World has released its ‘Top 50 Nightlife Travel Destinations for 2026’.
• Starbucks is launching new Coffee & Protein bottled drinks on March 23.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers has added permanent Senior Meals (55+) to its menu.
• Mandarin Oriental has appointed Simone Biles as its first Global Wellness Ambassador.

Enjoy reading!

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The Jollof Club chooses community funding for its first permanent location in Amsterdam-Zuidoost

26-2-2026

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The West African restaurant concept The Jollof Club in Amsterdam is taking its next step. Chef Nicolas Aquaa and hospitality entrepreneur Bunmi Okolosi will open their first permanent location in spring 2026 at Klein Bijlmerplein (Bijlmerplein 508) in Amsterdam-Zuidoost. To make this possible, they have consciously chosen crowdfunding via CrowdAboutNow.

With this campaign, they are not only building financial support, but above all a community. Future guests, fans, and local residents can become co-creators from the very beginning. “We want people to feel part of this story from day one,” says Bunmi Okolosi. “Not just as guests, but as a community.”

2 minutes read

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Wissel ’ns Wat! sets the Dutch protein transition in motion again

24-2-2026

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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

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A ‘bottomless Easter brunch’ in Nijmegen | Collaboration between Plan_A and Cath’s Cuisine

20-2-2026

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Cath’s Cuisine and Plan_A are organizing a bottomless Easter brunch on Sunday, April 5. Following a successful first edition, they are once again joining forces to create a culinary Easter experience in Nijmegen. On Easter Sunday, they will host an extensive and cosy brunch. Expect shared dining with delicious dishes and, of course, unlimited drinks, carefully selected to perfectly complement the food. A great example of a strong local collaboration.

1 minute read

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Soixante in Antwerpen | Where Polish soul and international finesse meet

17-2-2026

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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

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Trends we spotted | Week 7

17-2-2026

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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:

• 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!

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The Gibson Guitar Experience at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale

13-2-2026

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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

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Janine Bakery & Restaurant | Two concepts, one soul

10-2-2026

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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

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Trends we spotted | Week 6

10-2-2026

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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:

• 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!

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VITAL gives “Food and Whatever” extra meaning with the launch of the VITAL GYM

6-2-2026

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VITAL, the school catering formula from FHC Formulebeheer, gives the slogan “Food and Whatever” extra meaning. VITAL already stands for tasty and healthy food in balance, so that pupils and teachers can get the best out of themselves every day. With the launch of the VITAL GYM, VITAL is expanding that balance: in addition to healthy food, exercise will take on a more prominent role.

Reading time: 1 minute

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