The Americas
Dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott comes to Las Vegas
Mortenson Development is unveiling a dual-branded AC Hotel and Residence Inn by Marriott in Las Vegas, strategically located in one of the nation’s busiest convention and business travel corridors. The property features a total of 397 guest rooms within a 233,330-square-foot complex adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. It includes 237 upscale, select-service AC Hotel rooms and 160 Residence Inn extended-stay suites, designed to accommodate convention attendees, business travelers, long-stay guests, and leisure visitors. Additionally, the property offers dedicated meeting and event spaces for small to mid-sized groups.
Guy Fieri’s downtown Flavortown Myrtle Beach is now open
FACE Amusement Group recently announced the official opening of Guy Fieri’s Downtown Flavortown at the Myrtle Beach Mall, introducing a 50,000-square-foot dining and entertainment destination to one of the country’s most popular coastal markets. Developed in partnership with Emmy Award-winning chef and television personality Guy Fieri, the Myrtle Beach location builds on the success of the brand’s flagship in Pigeon Forge. The venue features a chef-driven menu, bowling, a large arcade, craft cocktails, the signature Freaky Tiki bar, and spaces for private events and group gatherings.
Asia Pacific
Wendy’s opens first drive-thru in Australia
Wendy’s has announced the opening of its first restaurant in Victoria, as well as its first-ever drive-thru location in Australia, creating around 100 local jobs. Scheduled to open on Wednesday, 24 June in Dandenong South, the new restaurant offers dine-in seating for up to 74 guests and introduces a new-format drive-thru. Crew members will greet customers face-to-face in the drive-thru lanes, take orders on handheld tablets, and confirm them on-screen for accuracy. Meanwhile, Nando’s Australia Pty. Ltd. is also pursuing scarce drive-thru space in the region, as competition intensifies across the quick-service restaurant sector.
Hilton signs agreement to open LXR Hotels & Resorts property in Japan
Hilton has signed an agreement with THE SANKEI BUILDING CO., LTD. and HASEKO Real Estate Development, Inc. to open an LXR Hotels & Resorts property in Hakone Gora, Kanagawa, an area renowned for its hot springs and scenic beauty. Scheduled to open in summer 2028, this will be the first Hilton-managed hotel in Hakone. Nestled within Momijidani, a popular spot for autumn foliage, the resort is designed to provide access to natural hot springs and mountain landscapes, offering experiences that reflect the local culture and environment. The location aims to meet growing demand for wellness, nature-focused, and culturally immersive travel.
Europe, Africa and Middle East
South West leads UK foodservice growth as regional divide widens
Only three UK regions experienced positive year-on-year footfall growth in Q1 2026. The South West led with a 15.9% increase, well ahead of Greater London at 4.1% and the South East. All other regions saw declines, reflecting a challenging national landscape. According to Meaningful Vision, the data suggests that foodservice demand in the South West is buoyed by local consumers as well as travel, leisure, and staycation activities. Weekend breaks, coastal visits, day trips, and domestic holidays are increasingly driving customer visits.
World’s best chef Rasmus Munk named WFP Goodwill Ambassador
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced last week that chef Rasmus Munk — founder of the award-winning restaurant Alchemist and the food innovation center Spora — is its newest Goodwill Ambassador and the first from the Nordics. Renowned as the creative mind behind Copenhagen’s Alchemist and for being named the “World’s Best Chef” at the Best Chef Awards in 2024 and 2025, Munk has long used gastronomy as a platform for social commentary. His innovation center, Spora, focuses on developing sustainable food solutions for a growing global population. Through this collaboration with WFP, Munk will leverage his global culinary influence and artistic vision to support WFP’s mission to save lives and combat global hunger.
Lauren Hurrell
