Snackification | Small bites, big impact

3-8-2026

Snackification is one of the most talked-about trends in the food industry right now, and it’s all about eating smaller portions more frequently. With increasingly busy schedules and the rise of weight loss medicines, more and more people are swapping three square meals for smaller, more intentional bites. This shift is fundamentally changing how brands, chefs and restaurants approach food.

On the consumer side, it’s about smaller, flexible and nutrient-dense snacks on the go — think individual packaging, added vitamins, gut health support and high protein. On the industry side, fine-dining chefs are increasingly embracing casual street food concepts, food trucks and upscale finger foods. This trend even found its way into my kitchen, last weekend I served a lunch with many small, delicious and healthy snack bites portions. ^Marjolein van Spronsen

Many examples in this article!

4 minutes read

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Lay’s Potato Restaurant in Shanghai | Here, the potato takes centre stage

31-7-2026

Back in April 2026, PepsiCo’s potato chip brand Lay’s officially opened China’s first Lay’s Potato Restaurant in Shanghai’s Xintiandi district. This immersive, limited-time brand experience reimagines the potato and the Lay’s chip through menu innovation, design, and collaborations. The restaurant is the latest example of how PepsiCo is working to grow in the away-from-home channel and create new meal occasions associated with its brands.

2 minutes read

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Verifying Longevity | LNGVTY makes the quality of longevity hotels measurable

31-7-2026

LNGVTY introduces the first data-driven certification that measures how effectively hotels support quality sleep, recovery, and healthy lifestyle habits. Hotels in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can apply from August 1. Under the motto ‘Verifying Longevity’, LNGVTY evaluates hotels using a uniform, data-driven methodology, making their regenerative quality transparent and comparable for guests.

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Striktly Summer | Striktly, Coconuts and Café ‘t Fust bring the tropics to Rotterdam

30-7-2026

It’s as if you’re on vacation, right in the center of Rotterdam. This summer, Stadhuisplein turns into an atmospheric open-air dance floor on Tuesday evenings during Striktly Summer. After the outdoor event, the party continues from 11:00 PM during the official afterparties at Coconuts & café ‘t Fust.

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Heat stress in the kitchen | Why the cold chain breaks in high temperatures

28-7-2026

Temperatures are rising this week in the Netherlands, which means full terraces and dealing with products that need to look good on the table in the sun. In short, quite a few businesses are experiencing heat stress around this topic. You can make this easier on yourself by digitizing temperature control around your products, for example with the app for HACCP and cleaning registration from De Horeca Helper. A contribution from them about ‘Heat stress in the kitchen’!

2 minutes read

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Bar14 | Johan Cruijff ArenA opens the first frictionless stadium bar in the Netherlands

24-7-2026

The Johan Cruijff ArenA is the first stadium in the Netherlands to introduce a smart frictionless bar, Bar14. This innovation delivers a new visitor experience during matches and concerts. The high-tech bar kiosk uses advanced tracking and AI technology to automatically register which products visitors take and process payment directly. Usage is simple: visitors tap their smartphone upon entry to pay. Thanks to this modern technology, visitors are served faster and more efficiently. The cashierless bar will be used for the first time during Ajax – Burnley on July 26th.

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BlueBlood Bubbles | A monthly Champagne & Oyster celebration in Hilton The Hague

24-7-2026

Restaurant BlueBlood at Hilton The Hague introduces BlueBlood Bubbles, a new monthly Champagne & Oyster celebration taking place on the last Friday of every month. With free entry, guests are invited to enjoy premium Pommery champagne, freshly shucked oysters, live DJ music, and a vibrant social atmosphere; the perfect way to welcome the weekend in style..

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Trends we spotted | Week 30

24-7-2026

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:

• American Express and ALL Accor expand the power of membership with new global partnership.
• Eberhardjes and Dolly Bellefleur launch limited edition ‘Liefde (love) NOW’, available at all STACH stores in Amsterdam.
• Registration for the Horecava Awards 2027 is now open. Since July 23rd, companies, startups, and entrepreneurs in the foodservice industry are able to submit their most innovative product or concept.
• Claridge’s has announced the publication of its first-ever book, Claridge’s: Queen of Hotels, Hotel of Kings.
• POP+BARK and Rooftop Cinema Club UK are bringing dogs to the movies for a full day of dog-friendly rooftop cinema action on Sunday, August 16.
• The McDonald’s restaurant in Breukelen, operated by the new franchisee Ronen van ’t Hoog, is the Dutch flagship location for the international ‘World Menu Heist’-campaign.
• Are you already thinking about how to create a festive Christmas atmosphere in your hotel? The Immersive Christmas Experience, ice!™ at the Gaylord Hotels has already been announced!

Enjoy reading!

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Which café will win the title ‘The Favorite Hertog Jan Café of the Netherlands’?

20-7-2026

Brewer AB InBev celebrates the Dutch café as society’s second living room with new nationwide competition. Starting today, hundreds of pubs across the country will compete for the coveted title ‘The Favorite Hertog Jan Café of the Netherlands’. Beer brewer AB InBev is launching a large-scale, national competition under the motto ‘Out of love for cafés’. The goal is to draw attention to the social value of the café, which for many Dutch people serves as a second living room. From July 20 through August 30, beer lovers and regular visitors can vote daily for their favorite (local) pub.

2 minutes read

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Vlees & Co opens its fourth location in Eindhoven with its first ‘Meat Sommelier Workshop’

10-7-2026

Vlees & Co has opened the doors of its new location at Wilhelminaplein in Eindhoven. With this opening, the restaurant, which already has locations in Arnhem, Nijmegen and Amsterdam,  continues its expansion across the Netherlands. The new location is the largest to date, with 90 covers inside and a spacious terrace with nearly 70 seats. The Eindhoven location also marks the launch of their first ‘Meat Sommelier Workshop’, read the full article to find out what happens there!

2 minutes read

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