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!

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Trends we spotted | Week 28

14-7-2025

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:

• Nazuna Inc. which operates friendly, luxurious machiya inns in Kyoto, has launched a new experienced-based recruitment model: ‘Stay first, then interview’. An inspiring approach?
• Wouldn’t it be great to have a cookies ATM at your favourite bakery? In Darwin, Australia The Cookie Lab has just that: its very own Cookies ATM.
• The Lobby in Amsterdam has once again affirmed its status as a top wine destination, earning two Wine Spectator’s 2025 Restaurant Awards and they start Cork-Free Mondays.
•  Using local events in your marketing strategy is a classic tactic. The Ivy Collection gives us with a great example with their Centre Court Melting Bombe during Wimbledon.
• As of July 1st, McDonald’s Switzerland has introduced a new twist on their iconic McRaclette burger: a chicken version.
• The Aussie Jawssie cocktail and the Sharky Temple mocktail are back at Outback Steakhouse locations across the US. We love the names and the presentation!
• Check out this interesting on QSR Magazine about KFC’s bold new brand: Saucy by KFC is shaking up the fast food world.
• At International Hotel Capital Partners (IHCP), employees can save for personal dreams through their innovative Bucketlist Programme. Here is a great example of how it works.
• On Thursday, July 17, the terrace of WOLF Food Market in Antwerp will once again transform into an open-air cinema. Expect a screening of the movie Pulp Fiction, a Campari Spritz and an exclusive live BBQ by Rambo.

 Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | week 13

31-3-2025

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:

• Have more plan(t)s for dinner! The Sustainable Plant FWD restaurant week will be held from April 5 to 12 in Amsterdam.
• Jade Frommer, co-founder of the Ephemera Group, is shaking up the fast-food industry in Paris with the launch of pop-up restaurant, called 6,90. And their main course is available for just €6.90.
• KFC® USA is dropping an all-new “Dunk It Bucket” – the brand’s first new bucket in nearly a decade – featuring also-new Mashed Potato Poppers.
• Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, the #1 best-selling gelato brand in the U.S., is raising the bar of its unique Layers line by introducing the Bakery Collection. They created ‘The Dipped Whisk’ in collaboration with Dominique Ansel.
• McDonald’s – A Minecraft Movie Meal and Happy Meal are available at US restaurants nationwide for limited time starting April 1. 
• Kimpton teams up with Tiny Zaps for exclusive tattoo pop-up series for ‘Tattourists’ at 5 locations in the US.
• Schmarrnsinn is the first pop-up Kaiserschmarrn Café in Frankfurt, kaiserschmarrn with all kinds of toppings!
• There’s a pub in Ireland with your name on it! A worldwide search by Heineken® to find a new owner to keep the family tradition of the McLoughlin’s alive.
• nhow Hotels launched ‘dance nhow, change now’.
• The Dutch Bird Brewery launches exclusive Easter beer Kakelfris.
• Restaurant Vestdijk47 in Eindhoven tackles food waste and receives Orbisk certificate for 16 per cent reduction in eight months.

Happy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 01

3-1-2025

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:

• McDonald’s Australia Squid Game meal brings a familiar item from the series into reality. It comes with a DALGONA Candy.
• KFC combines chicken and sauce with new concept ‘Saucy by KFC’. It opened in December in Orlando.
• This Valentine’s Day, Whataburger is giving one lucky couple the ultimate prize: a Whatawedding at its Las Vegas location on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
• Four Seasons celebrates the year of ‘The Snake’ with a journey of innovation and festive traditions.
• We think a ‘Doggy treat food truck’, like the Mobile Barkery in San Diego is a great idea! We and lots of other dog friends and owners would love to buy a hot drinks and dog cookies at ‘off-leash’ areas.
• Angel Shot App LLC recently announced the launch of their new, innovative mobile safety app for nightlife patrons and hospitality establishments.
• Making Dry January more tasteful with the herbal blends in WishGarden Herbs mocktail kit.
• The 2025 outlook for the 0.0 category looks positive, but still has some social barriers to overcome. Thus Heineken® 0.0’s new campaign says alcohol-free should be reason-free.

Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 50

13-12-2024

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 think the Ritz Carlton Berlin has one of the most beautiful Christmas trees in their lobby, ‘Der Giving Tree’! An initiative to make wishes come true for children who are hospitalized. They give their guests and passers-by the change to participate in the season of giving.
• Heineken Hoek Steakhouse has recently opened in the hotel ‘The Diamond’ in Amsterdam.
• Le Pain Quotidien opened its first franchise in Maastricht and is looking for expansion to other Dutch cities through franchise.
• Great examples of how international ‘Christmas trends’ are used – in their own way – in the Netherlands. A gondola and a ‘Christmas lighting party’ or as they call it a ‘magical winter evening’ at ‘t Noorden in Aalten. And you can dine in a transparent igloo at restaurant Saus in Bergen op Zoom.
• 1 Hotels announced a new hotel in 2025: 1Hotel Tokyo.
• A ‘Reindeer Games Pop-Up Bar’ at Holston House Nashville.
• Panera turns the holidays upside down with their new: limited edition Holiday Soup Cup Collection. Some ‘soup’- inspiration!
• The ugly Christmas sweater ‘trend’ continues to inspire, this time we got a press release from soccer club PSV and came across a press release from KFC about their Christmas sweater.

Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 48

2-12-2024

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:

• Wheat flour brand NACARINA from Costa Rica created a cake replica to celebrate the historic reopening of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. The official reopening is on December 8th this year.
• UNESCO and Relais & Châteaux announce a partnership for sustainable development in harmony with all life on earth.
• CollaBEARation Build-A-Bear & KFC®: Bears in KFC outfits!
• Zara opened Zacaffé in Madrid, Zara by Castro coffee shop and a coffee shop concept store in Athens.
• Clone, the European foodtech startup from Paris that has raised €105 million in funding, is officially launching in the Netherlands.
• Collaboration of restaurant Parkheuvel (**) with Parkcafé Parqiet.
• SOUS celebrates 2-year anniversary and kicks off Christmas.
• ‘Wie zoet is krijgt lekkers! (Those who are sweet get treats) – This year MR PORTER Steakhouse, Bar & Lounge, IZAKAYA Asian Kitchen & Bar, THE DUCHESS and MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge are offering a unique interpretation of a Sinterklaas classic on Thursday December 5: the chocolate letter.
• And from Instagram: the Louis Vuitton dog collection. Would fit nicely in luxury hotels that allow dogs!

Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 51

22-12-2023

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 from Instagram: the beautiful courtyard garden of the Plaza Athénéé, including a small ice rink! Serving bread with a butter candle and pink hot chocolate bought outside at Harrods’ food truck!
• Recently opened in Hangzhou, KFC China’s 10,000th store. Built up by Yum China Holdings over the past 36 years.
• In the Netherlands, New York Pizza celebrates their 30-year anniversary and the opening in Breda of their 300th outlet!
• DiscoDip – Dutch tv chef Miljuschka Witzenhausen does organize a Culinary festival, it will take place on 24, 25 and 26 May 2024 in recreation area Bussloo at the Veluwe. Tickets are on sale now.
• The ‘Limited Edition Cinnamon Christmas Buddy’ cookies are on sale now at the store of the ladies of Dynamite in Amsterdam. Tomorrow, December 23, they will treat you to a hot cup of coffee or chocolate milk in their store.
• Two Dutch restaurants in the 50 best Italian restaurants in the world, Pianeta Terra in Amsterdam at spot 23 and restaurant Aroma in Vaassen as a newcomer at spot 43!
• Recently the third location of karaoke bar Duke of Tokyo opened at Hofplein in Rotterdam.
• Eating ‘Mac ‘n Cheese Balls’ or ‘Chicken & Waffles’ at the popular brunch spot Miss G’s is now also possible at dinner, and they have a new interior.
• We came across an article about the Barraquito, a hot version of an espresso martini from the island of Tenerife. It looks great and delicious!

Click on the title if you like to read the full article. Enjoy reading!

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Trends we spotted | Week 44

6-11-2023

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 named ‘Trends we spotted this week’.

With this week links to articles about:

• Chefs’ Table Top, in distinctive tableware, glasses and cutlery.
• The recipe for joy this Holiday Season by KFC.
• The Shaken Cacio e Pepe served in a cocktail shaker, is on the menu at the new cocktail lounge The Ruby in New York.  
• November 14 is National Pickle Day and as mentioned before, the USA has ‘National Days’ for everything you can imagine. We spotted The Original Pickle Shot which consist of pickle brine, dille and vodka.
• Get a free medium Fries every Friday with any $1 minimum purchase, only in the McDonald’s app* in the USA for the remainder of 2023. Free Fries Friday sound like a great plan for all McDonald’s worldwide, don’t you think?
• Recently the Balloon Museum opened in New York City at 299 South Street and they have a lot of locations in the planning!
• We came across ‘It’s Good’- a platform for positive restaurant reviews only! Good idea?

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Trends we spotted | Week 31

7-8-2023

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 among others a collaboration fit for a king by Sorted Food and The Earthshot Prize. And Vignerons du Terroir, the champaign tasting, will be held in the beautiful ConcertLab in the Dutch city Utrecht on October 1.

KFC Canada bids final farewell to its bland old fries with a fry funeral and funeral procession and McDonald’s in the USA has announced a new spinoff restaurant called ‘CosMc’s’.

Mel’s in NYC is officially kicking off their F.O.M.O (Friends Of Mel’s Oven) Pizza Series with limited-edition pizzas created by chefs Daniel Boulud, Gabriel Kreuther, Jean-Georges, and Junghyun Park. Although we have seen more of these kinds of collabs, we love them!

A colleague spotted the Dorian Speakeasy in The Hague on Instagram (see the post by Food Queen) and it’s high on her ‘go-to list’. More details in the link in this article. And South Korean brand LOTTE Hotels & Resorts opened the first overseas hotel in Vietnam.

Chick-fil-A has just announced the construction of the first 75-car drive-thru in Atlanta. According to the company’s Twitter, the concept features a four-lane drive-thru that’s split into two sets.

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TASTYY | A new style Kebab & Soul Food place in Germany

10-7-2023

Since March 2023 the people and visitors of the German city Gelsenkirchen can visit a new style kebab and soul food place: TASTYY at the railway station in town. The concept offers high quality, delicious and affordable food. It redefines the traditional classic kebab in a completely new and fresh way, with the pure taste of nature and transparency about all ingredients. Their kebab skewer is also available on request as a vegan ‘Tastyy Tower’ and they also serve many creative food combinations as bowls, paninis and burgers. New stores are already announced at the Neustrasse 16 in Düsseldorf, the Hohenstauffenring 25-27 in Köln and at the Zeil 88 in Frankfurt am Main. A new concept to watch!

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