The Americas
Yum Brands enters Q3 with “strongest position ever”
During Q2, Taco Bell saw a 7% same-store sales increase, contributing to Yum Brands commencement of Q3 in its “strongest position ever”, said CEO Chris Turner on Taco Bell’s recent earning call. However, this was prior to the July cyclospora outbreak, which has disproportionately impacted the quick-service chain amid early reports that its lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms was a source. Overall, Yum’s global same-store sales rose 3% in the second quarter, with KFC up 2% and Pizza Hut down 1%. The Habit Burger & Grill Division’s same-store sales were up 3% for the quarter.
Chipotle registers strongest same-store sales growth since late 2024
Chipotle had its strongest same-store sales quarter since late 2024. Investors seemed content with Chipotle’s Q2 earnings results, pushing its stock up 7% in after-hours trading on Wednesday July 29, following the release of the fast-casual Mexican chain’s 2.2% same-store sales increase, driven by a 1% increase in transactions and a 1.2% increase in average check. This marked its strongest quarter for the metric since late 2024. These results might have deduced uncertainties around the chain’s value positioning due to tighter consumer spending, particularly amid increasing gas prices.
Asia Pacific
Yo-Chi announces UK expansion, its second international location
The Australian frozen yoghurt brand Yo-Chi has announced plans to open its first-ever UK venue in Notting Hill this summer, located on Notting Hill Gate, which will span more than 2,000 square feet across two floors, accommodating over 120 guests. The opening marks the brand’s entry into the European market. The space has been designed to feel like a welcoming hub for the community through its organic materials and warm lighting, and will also feature an in-store DJ booth for events and a signature strawberry disco ball.
Phuket’s luxury hotel market feels squeeze due to falling guest numbers
Phuket’s luxury hotel market lost momentum in the first half of 2026 as guest numbers fell and new rooms entered the market, while lower room rates and a growing pipeline of new hotels put pressure on performance. New research from property consultancy Cushman & Wakefield Thailand found the island welcomed 6.04 million hotel guests between January and June, down 2.7% year-on-year. Cushman & Wakefield Thailand said the slowdown became more noticeable from April as unrest in the Middle East dampened travel confidence.
Europe, Africa and Middle East
Cafés rise as restaurants feel the pinch in consumer spending shift
Cafés and coffee shops saw spending rise 5%, whilst food-to-go increased by 2%, reflecting that customers are cutting back on traditional restaurant visits but spending towards cafes, coffee shops and food-to-go operators as household spending stays under pressure, according to data from CACI. The data, which compares spending in the first half of 2026 with the same period in 2025, shows restaurants were the only major food and beverage category to record a year-on-year decline, with spending falling 3%.
Auntie Anne’s UK&I expansion gains momentum as H1 sales hit £7.4m
Auntie Anne’s UK & Ireland reported a 10% increase in system sales to £7.4m for the six months ended 30 June, as the pretzel chain continued its expansion across the region. The business, which opened its first UK store in 2008, now operates almost 50 franchised locations, and aims to hit 100 locations across the UK and Ireland by 2030. Growth during the period was supported by new store openings and higher average order values.
Lauren Hurrell
