Trends we spotted | Week 30
25-7-2025
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:
- Eataly makes its Dutch debut at Schiphol Airport! Enjoy their Italian specialties at Lounge 1.
- For its Summer 2025 menu at the EMEA markets (Europe, Middle East and Africa) Starbucks took inspiration from Treviso, the birthplace of tiramisu. The result? A Tiramisu Cream Cold Foam.
- Another Coffee trend spotted in the US: the Iced Coconut Water Americano.
- Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announces a strategic partnership with Workplace Pride during Pride Amsterdam 2025. The agreement was signed in their INK Amsterdam hotel.
- KFC’s new marketing campaign features a serious Colonel who ‘would not be happy’ about the brand’s recent market share loss. See how they’re taking on this challenge.
- Lawa blends ‘Mario Kart and Strava’ to make movement fun for teens and brands. Available in the Netherlands and it’s possibly interesting for amusement parks, too.
- Mattel recently launched the first-ever UNO Social Club in Las Vegas—an immersive game night experience combining competition, fun, and social connection. More locations are on the way!
- Spotted on Instagram: ‘unbreakable glasses’ by Djuce Studio. Made from Tritan copolyester and we love the way they look!
- Would you like to play a golf game at your wedding? We’ve also spotted fun mini golf games to enjoy with friends!
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 27
4-7-2025
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:
- It’s a Dutch tradition, herring parties to celebrate ‘Hollandse Nieuwe’! This year for the for the 30th time, the Hilton Amsterdam received the first keg by fishmonger Jan van As.
- Chef René Redzepi and the team behind restaurant Noma are heading to Los Angeles in 2026.
- Airbnb is official partner of the Tour de France till 2027 and will offer unique experiences to enjoy the Grande Boucle and the communities surrounding the route.
- Dutch hostel chain Stayokay has launched a playful new campaign: ‘This is not a hostel!’
- With rising temperatures, cooling becomes increasingly important. Skycooler provides a refreshing solution for terraces, sports facilities, events, and smaller indoor spaces.
- Hotel brand ibis continues its European expansion, with recent openings in Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Germany, and upcoming locations in Poland and Hungary. The brand now boasts over 2,500 hotels worldwide.
- Thai street food brand Kaimug is the first restaurant in Germany to introduce a robot chef: the Omni by Botinkit.
- At their recent Leadership Experience event, Starbucks announced their first generative-AI powered solution, Green Dot Assist. This system will support their baristas and other green apron partners.
- Accor’s newest luxury brand, Emblems Collection, blends a storied legacy with a visionary redesign. Fiftheen hotels are in the pipeline, including Rimrock Banff, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath in the UK and the Elatos Resort in Greece.
Enjoy reading!
Donatos Pizza will open a fully autonomous restaurant in partnership with Appetronix
17-6-2025
Donatos Pizza, a premium U.S. pizza chain known for its Edge to Edge® toppings, is launching its first fully autonomous restaurant this month at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (Concourse B). Donatos and its sister company Agápe Automation partnered with Appetronix to create this innovative concept. It’s operated by HMSHost and will serve freshly made pizzas 24/7 via robotic technology, offering travelers speed, convenience, and quality.
This new Donatos location sets a precedent for how robotics and hospitality can blend to meet modern foodservice demands in high-traffic environments like airports.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 24
13-6-2025
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:
- This weekend in New York City for the fans of the HBO MAX series ‘And just like that…”: a ‘Hot Fellas’ Bakery pop-up.
- An Instagram reel by 60 Seconds to Napoli about their ‘Pasta in a pizza bowl’.
- Celebrating 750 years of Amsterdam at Amsterdam Breakfast on 21 June. An initiative by Ron Gastrobar and Cees Holtkamp.
- Nobu Hospitality is expanding in Poland with the upcoming Nobu Hotel, Restaurant, and Residences in Kraków, located near the city’s historic Old Town.
- Carvel® Ice Cream, kicks off summer with the first-ever soft serve–dispensing billboard in NYC’s West Village on June 18.
- Chipotle is celebrating fans with a limited-edition collection of 13 temporary tattoos inspired by iconic brand elements, today on June 13.
- Marriott International’s Luxury Group brings back the Luxury Dining Series across Asia Pacific from July to September, featuring culinary events at seven top hotels.
- Pret A Manger is launching a new shop format that features a more spacious, family-friendly environment with made-to-order food and drink service suited to longer, more relaxed visits.
- Albron announced the successful completion of its acquisition of industry peer Hutten. Recently the new name of the new organization was unveiled: Hai – Hutten Albron Impactmakers.
Enjoy reading!
Next Robot launches ‘Al Dente’ | An AI-powered pasta and risotto cooking robot
12-6-2025
Culinary robotics company Next Robot unveiled its latest innovation, ‘Al Dente’, at the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Designed to automate the preparation of pasta and risotto with precision and consistency, Al Dente expands the company’s mission to combine technology with culinary tradition.
2 minutes read
Radisson Hotel Group opens first ‘Verified Net Zero’ hotels in Oslo and Manchester
28-5-2025
The Radisson Hotel Group becomes the first international hotel chain to open two ‘Verified Net Zero’ hotels, located in Oslo and Manchester. These hotels already meet international sustainability standards that are not expected to be widely implemented in the hospitality industry until 2040. Independent verification by TÜV Rheinland confirms that both properties have eliminated their direct CO₂ emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and significantly reduced indirect emissions (Scope 3) in accordance with the GHG (GreenHouse Gas) Protocol. Remaining emissions are offset through nature-based solutions, such as forest and soil restoration projects.
2 minutes read
A Disney Theme Park is coming to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi
20-5-2025
The Walt Disney Company and Miral, a leading developer of entertainment destinations in Abu Dhabi, have announced plans to build a large-scale Disney theme park and resort on Yas Island. This will be Disney’s seventh resort worldwide and the first in the Middle East and Africa. The announcement was celebrated early May with a spectacular drone show featuring more than 9,000 drones.
2 minutes read
Trends we spotted | Week 18
2-5-2025
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:
- We love the idea of making a wedding cake on the spot! Spotted in Italy.
- Marriott International has announced it is expanding its lifestyle portfolio by acquiring citizenM.
- The Maybourne Riviera hotel reopens for the 2025 season with new culinary, wellbeing and guest experiences.
- Mandarin Oriental Bodrum is set to host the iconic Gigi Rigolatto pop-up this summer.
- Spotted at Chin Chin labs: vanilla soft serve with French fries and a drizzle of potato peel sauce.
- The first 3D printed Starbucks store has opened in Brownsville, Texas.
- Designs have been revealed for Laheq, the first residential-led development at The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia, developed by Red Sea Global (RSG) and designed by Foster + Partners.
- Starting May 5, McCrispy™ Strips and the all-new Creamy Chili Dip will be available nationwide at McDonald’s USA.
- Domino’s Pizza and Bicky launch spicy Bicky Mexicano® pizza in Belgium.
- Sensory Cooking by Homey’s Tools for Life elevates the cooking ritual with kitchen tools designed by Boey Wang of Studio Boey.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 16
18-4-2025
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:
- Biotech company Tropic created a banana that resists browning, offering major benefits against food waste.
- The Hoxton Edinburgh is set to open this June in the historic Haymarket district. The hotel features 214 rooms, including nine room types with names such as Snug Single, Bunk Room, Cosy, Roomy, Biggy and more.
- McDonald’s Germany has opened a temporary McDonald’s restaurant experience in a Minecraft design in the center of Munich.
- The ‘Broccoli Cheddar Pizookie’ by BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. A savoury pizookie this time!
- Celebrate burgers and bottomless fun at Red Robin during the National Burger Month with a Bottomless Burger Pass.
- A ‘Pay What You Want’ Food Truck tour on ‘National Tax Day’ by Newman’s Own food and drinks.
- And the Staypineapple hotel brand in the US covered taxes and amenity fees for their guests if they booked on ‘National Tax Day’.
- Energy storage system from Intercel prevents peak load at TommyTomato’s new meal delivery site in Utrecht.
- Gastrovino in the Netherlands opened two new locations in just one week. A store in Leiden and a store and Mediterranean-style osteria in Nuenen!
Enjoy reading!
Heinz Trade-Up in Dubai| From sachet clutter to ketchup upgrade
18-4-2025
Heinz Trade-Up in Dubai is tackling a common household dilemma: the overflowing kitchen drawer filled with unused ketchup sachets. A recent survey by Heinz revealed that 70% of UAE residents have unwanted ketchup sachets at home, with nearly half admitting to having 5–10 sachets scattered around. Over half of the respondents described this as frustrating, and 60% said they’d be more likely to use the sachets if they were Heinz.
We think a decluttering of ketchup sachets – or any other sachet – might work here in Europe as well! 
It’s a fun variation on the Heinz Pickle Switch that stood in Rotterdam.
1 minute read
