The Americas
Chipotle makes debut in Mexico as part of growth strategy, causing mixed reactions
In a move garnering mixed reactions from Mexican customers, the US brand Chipotle has officially made its debut in Mexico in partnership with Alsea, which operates a portfolio of restaurant brands in Latin America and Europe. The new restaurant is in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León, part of the Monterrey metropolitan area, selected for its strong economy and growing population. The debut marks a major milestone in Chipotle’s international growth strategy, with additional restaurants expected to open in Nuevo León later this year through the partnership, targeting Mexico City in 2027.
Delivery Hero confirms advanced negotiations with Uber on takeover deal
Delivery Hero SE has confirmed in a bourse filing that it is in advanced negotiations with Uber Technologies, Inc. for a potential takeover, although it will not comment on speculations about offer price. Delivery Hero owns food delivery services such as foodpanda, HungerStation, and talabat. A separate report said global food delivery platforms are narrowing their footprints and making deliberate choices about where they operate, signs that the market is consolidating.
Asia Pacific
East Asia food delivery market hits $38.6b in 2025 as competition intensifies
East Asia’s food delivery platform market reached an estimated $38.6b in gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2025, according to new data from Momentum Works. The Food Delivery Platforms in East Asia 2026 report, which covers Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, revealed South Korea accounted for around 73% of the region’s GMV. South Korea’s food delivery market reached an estimated $28b in 2025, with penetration exceeding 20% of the country’s total foodservice market, making it the third-largest food delivery market globally by GMV.
APAC hotel investment volumes surge 54% in historic first half performance
JLL data shows APAC hotel transaction volumes hit $6.8B in H1 2026, with Japan, China, and Australia leading growth and full-year volumes forecast to rise 15-20% over 2025, making its strongest H1 since 2019, against a backdrop of global headwinds, economic volatility and cautious buyer sentiment. According to data and analysis by JLL, the hotel market demonstrated remarkable resilience in the first half of 2026, with transaction volumes reaching $6.8 billion representing a 54% increase from H1 2025
Europe, Africa and Middle East
Link Developments announces the launch of City Walk Abuja
Link Developments has announced the launch of City Walk Abuja, a privately funded, landmark mixed-use smart city development that will establish a new global gateway to Africa. The development is strategically located between Abuja’s Central Business District and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, sitting within a government-designated Free Trade Zone to create an attractive environment for international investment. Spanning over 200 hectares, City Walk Abuja aims to integrate residential, hospitality, leisure, cultural, and civic districts, creating a world-class destination for businesses, residents, and visitors alike, while also supporting Nigeria’s long-term economic growth.
MPs call on UK government to ban fast food restaurant openings near schools
A cross-party parliamentary committee has called on the UK government to introduce new planning policies that would stop fast food outlets from opening near schools, as part of a sweeping set of recommendations to tackle England’s obesity crisis. The Health and Social Care Committee, publishing its report on food and weight management, said existing attempts to replicate a successful planning restriction model pioneered by Gateshead Council had repeatedly failed due to legal challenges from fast food companies. Gateshead Council adopted planning policies in 2015 to limit new fast-food outlets near schools and areas with high levels of childhood obesity. The policy led to a 4.8% cut in the number of Year Six children recorded as overweight or obese. The report said that obesity is costing the UK £74.3b per year.
Lauren Hurrell
