KFC China | Ordering food with help of facial recognition tech

25-1-2017

One of the Chinese KFC’s in Beijing uses facial recognition tech in order to help customers choose their meal by mood, age or gender. The device is created by search engine company Baidu. We wonder what it would recommend us! read more

KFC |introduces a game on Instagram

13-1-2017

As far as we were aware Instagram is used to share pictures, clips and social cinema. KFC has launched a game on Instagram though, the ‘Colonel Saunders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken Football Challenge’.

A game on Instagram

KFC has launched “Colonel Saunders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken Football Challenge’, where Instagrammers can “play” on an American Football field across different animations on the social media platform. The game tags Instagram accounts, which players can click on to reach a new stage. KFC’s game utilizes 31 animations and 35 different Instagram accounts to tell the story of a short football game.

Great way to get more followers and likes with the Super Bowl less than a month away. Created by agency Wieden + Kennedy.

KFC’s Kickass Christmas Dinner

31-12-2015

KFC organized a Christmas dinner in three restaurants in the Netherlands on Boxing Day, KFC’s Kickass Christmas Dinner. Together with chef Bert van Buschbach, known as ‘Chef Bertus’, owner of restaurant ‘De Compagnon’ in Amsterdam, they created a special Christmas dinner of four courses.

Chef Bertus about KFC’s Kickass Christmas Dinner

Guests got the KFC’s Kickass Christmas Dinner served at their table,  in three locations of KFC in the Netherlands, in Rotterdam (Marconi Square), Nijmegen and Amsterdam (Foodstrip). Bert van Buschbach: “It was a kick to tackle this project with KFC. We had a look in each other’s kitchens and grabbed the best of both worlds. We made our guests happy with KFC icons combined with aspects from the haute cuisine. For example, we started with an amuse served on the finger of our guests, made of Pepper Mayonnaise and panna cota with truffle, crumb of the Original Breading and chicken with some grated truffle. We also served a crispy egg yolk in the famous Orginal Breading of KFC. When KFC approached me for this project I was immediately enthusiastic. It has been very instructive to work with KFC executives. We have learned a lot from each other.”

Thousands of entries

Marinho Bouwland, brand manager KFC Netherlands told that they received more than 2.000 entries, eventually 260 people were invited. “We wanted to do something back for our regular guests. Last year we organized our first Christmas dinner in Rotterdam. That was a great success. People even came from Hengelo to attend the dinner in Rotterdam. To give as many people as possible the opportunity to join us on Boxing Day we organized Christmas dinner 2015 at three locations.”

Chizza by KFC in the Philippines

17-7-2015

KFC Chizza (#KFChizza) is KFC Philippines’ newest product. It consists out of chicken fillet topped like a pizza!

Chizza

A combination of two of the most well-loved food in the Philippines chicken and pizza, KFC Chizza features KFC chicken fillet topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni, bell peppers, pineapple tidbits, and melted cheese. A chicken fillet (pizza) crust in style of KFC and the taste and ingredients of pizza all in one.

#KFChizza; Inspiration for your country?

Sometimes you do spot food combinations that make you wonder whether the Dutch would love that! And then we came across this video, an ad for Kentucky Fried Chicken. We prefer a piece of chicken and a slice of old fashioned pizza on the side. KFC in the Netherlands, what do you think?

The ‘Scoff-ee Cup’ by KFC

7-5-2015

KFC in the UK has unveiled the first edible coffee cup. It’s called the ‘Scoff-ee Cup’. The cups are currently under development but most probably available from this summer onwards.

The ‘Scoff-ee Cup’ is made from biscuit, wrapped in sugar paper and lined with a layer of white chocolate. The chocolate keeps the coffee hot and the cup crispy. The biscuit slowly softens as the chocolate melts which it does in the mouth and not in the hand. The ‘Scoff-ee Cups’ will mark the launch of KFC’s Seattle’s Best Coffee (made from fairtrade Arabica beans) across England. We did spot edible coffee cups before, like the milk & cookie shots by Dominique Ansel.

Food scientist created the ‘Scoff-ee Cup’

Food scientists The Robin Collective created the edible cup in partnership with KFC. The cups are also infused with different scents (Coconut sun cream, freshly cut grass and wild flowers), that are known to improve your mood. And that together with a great coffee, there’s no better way to start your day!

KFC meals on board at Japan Airlines

13-12-2012

Japan Airlines is serving KFC in-flight meals onboard of select international flights between December 1 and to February 28th. KFC is a very popular chain in Japan, especially during the Christmas season. Customers traveling in Premium Economy and Economy Class will be served KFC’s Original Recipe two-piece chicken meal. Japan Airlines and KFC have created exclusive packaging for this meal.

Trends we spotted | Week 15

13-4-2026

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:

• Eberhardjes, the heart-shaped butter biscuits from Amsterdam, are launching a limited-edition pack this month in collaboration with Schiphol, to mark the 100th anniversary of the connection between the city of Amsterdam and the airport.
• Over the past ten years, the Verspillingsfabriek (the Waste Factory) has grown into an impactful production site where circularity, taste and social value come together.
• Since 2024, there has been a ban on single-use plastic cups at events in the Netherlands, but research by the ‘Inspectie Leefomgeving & Transport’(Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate) (ILT) in 2025 shows that the sector is failing to comply. They announced stricter enforcement.
• From 14 to 17 April 2026, Interclean Amsterdam, an international trade fair for the cleaning and hygiene sector, will take place at the RAI Amsterdam. It will conclude with a ‘Feel Good Friday’, a themed day exploring the role of cleaning in the hospitality experience.
• KFC in the US released a single, ‘Finger Lickin’ Machine’. They hope the track will be a new contender for the season’s most popular track. Introduced in combination with a Value-feast meal.
• AI voice agent Rachel called 3,000 Irish pubs to reconstruct the Guinness Price Index.
• McCain Foods launched ‘Brew City® Beer Battered Potato Waves’: a crispy, wavy potato innovation for the hospitality sector in the US and Canada.
• From 21 April, McDonald’s in the US is expanding its value-for-money offering by giving fans more choice on the McValue® menu.
• The Berkeley in London will reopen its exclusive rooftop terrace to the public again in summer 2026. The organize ‘Capri in the City’ near their rooftop pool, for the second year running.
• McDonald’s in Türkiye launched a ‘Drink & Drive’-campaign to raise awareness of road safety. Starring their McCafé.

Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 14

7-4-2026

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:

• Funny April Fools’ Day jokes: the Friturette from Snacksalon de Schelp and the orange oysters from Pesca.
• Restaurant Aroma is closing and is offering a special way to say goodbye with a menu in 19 scenes.
• On April 22 and 23 2026, the Independent Hotel Show Amsterdam will take place for independent hoteliers and boutique hotel professionals.
• Marriott International and the Leali family are launching a joint venture to add Lefay, the luxury wellness hotel brand, to the Marriott portfolio.
• Pup flight or a Bark-cuterie at the Wasserhund Brewing Company pop-up.
• KFC in Spain is transforming its restaurant signs into giant döner skewers.
• A new season brings new products to the Dutch fastfood-chain Family: the Peanut Butter Shake and the Chicken Smashburger.
• Radisson Hotel Group opens the Radisson Hotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport Hoofddorp.
• Fletcher Hotels expands its international presence with the acquisition of the Parkhotel Olsberg-Winterberg in Germany.

Enjoy reading!

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Cobra X Boogie Bougie | A collab fueled by Antwerp’s electric dining rhythm

4-12-2025

Cobra, the Antwerp dining experience known for its eclectic energy, warm edge and late-night vibe, is teaming up with Boogie Bougie for a candle collection featuring two scents inspired by the Cobra atmosphere. With the opening of Cobra House, the second location on Markgravelei, Cobra now stands as one unified brand with a sharper and more expansive identity: vibrant tables, refined bites, and an ambience that pulls people in.

A special collab, we’re curious about the scent, and judging by the description further on in the article, it must be a good deal better than KFC’s ‘gravy-scented’-candles. 😉

2 minutes read

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Trends we spotted | Week 45

10-11-2025

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:

• Porsche Netherlands & Tomasu present Vat (barrel) 911 and have made a short documentary video about the production of this barrel of soy sauce and Tomasu’s quest for perfection.
• We already wrote about the ‘Lieve Amsterdammer’-campaign by the Eberhardjes foundation. This campaign was made possible thanks to a donation from the Rabobank, which has now been symbolically handed over.
• The 2025 Christmas tree in the lobby of Claridge’s hotel in London is being designed by Burberry’s Daniel Lee.
• KFC celebrated National Fried Chicken Sandwich Day (on November 9) last week with a ‘Size matters tour’ in major cities across the US.
• Maybourne, the British hotel chain, has announced that three of its British hotels have been included in the list of the world’s 50 Best Hotels 2025. With a link to the full list.
• The Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, the largest culinary school chain in the United States, recently celebrated a milestone in its graduation season.
• Spotted on Instagram:
  • a ‘French toast Flight’ at London’s first French Toast Café, Crome.
  • A Starbucks ‘bearista’ cup in the US.
  • Dolce VyTa’s Maritozzo, made even more festive with an adorable reindeer makeover for the Christmas season.

Enjoy reading!

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