Americas
Peru’s Maido scoops The World’s Best Restaurant gong
Maido in Lima, Peru, has been named the best restaurant in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy. The announcement was made on June 19 at at The World’s Best Restaurant 2025 awards, sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. Maido’s owner is chef Mitsuharu ‘Micha’ Tsumura. The restaurant takes its name from a Japanese greeting phrase. Maido incorporates ingredients and traditions from the Peruvian Amazon, with courses including a miniature jaune parcel of pork jowl and palm heart – a rainforest staple – plus snacks made from sustainable paiche fish, and yucca served with Amazonian beans.
Krispy Kreme and McDonald’s to end partnership
US-headquartered, multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain Krispy Kreme will end its partnership with restaurant giant McDonald’s, effective July, it was announced this week. Krispy Kreme CEO Josh Charlesworth revealed that the company could not “bring its costs in line with unit demand,” rendering the partnership unsustainable for the future. Instead it will focus on high-volume retail point stores such as Target and Walmart.
Krispy Kreme had previously had its products in 2,400 McDonald’s restaurants. With Krispy Kreme $1 billion in debt, it is also addressing additional cost-cutting measures, including the use of a third-party supplier to deliver its doughnuts, while also value engineering its production facilities.
Asia Pacific
Tim Hortons China posts net loss of US$8.1m for first quarter 2025
International coffee chain Tim Hortons China (Tims China) has posted a net loss of US$8.1m (RMB58.9m) for the first quarter of 2025). Overall revenues also decreased by 9.5% to US$41.4m, but, despite overall decline, system sales increased by 3.5% to US$51.9m, according to QSR Media Asia. Tim Hortons China closed seven of its stores but added nine franchised locations, resulting in a net increase of two stores.
Yum China launches AI assistant for store managers
Yum China Holdings, Inc. has announced the pilot launch of ‘Q-Smart’, a new hands-free AI-enabled assistant for restaurant managers. Launched on June 20, Q-Smart will helps frontline managers effectively and efficiently manage a wide range of day-to-day tasks, says the chains. These include labor scheduling, inventory management, and food quality and safety inspection – providing intelligent support for decision-making across a broad spectrum of restaurant operations.
Q-Smart allows managers to interact with the system hands-free using wearable devices such as wireless earphones and smart watches, enhancing operational efficiencies. “Q-Smart is not just an AI tool – it is a potential game-changer for how restaurants can be managed. We believe that Q-Smart will not only help Yum China improve its operational efficiency, but can also serve as an example for the digital transformation and smart development of the catering industry,” says Leila Zhang, chief technology officer, Yum China.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Dave’s Hot Chicken starts UK national expansion
Cult Los Angeles fried chicken sensation Dave’s Hot Chicken, is expanding outside of London, UK. Since it first debuted on Shaftesbury Avenue in December 2024, the store has experienced huge interest from customers and generated lengthy queues. Now, the chain is set to expand with two new sites in Birmingham and Manchester in summer of 2025. Birmingham kicks off the national expansion, with the first site out of London set to launch this July, followed by its Manchester’s Printworks site opening its doors in August. Both venues will feature “unique, immersive designs,” which pay homage to the distinctive street art style found across Dave’s US locations, says the chain.
Hilton opens brand’s first presence in Northern Ireland
The Marcus Hotel Portrush has officially opened in Northern Ireland, creating 40 permanent jobs and marking Hilton’s first presence in the country. The 80-room hotel is part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton and occupies a beautifully restored Vicorian building, which previously operated as the Londonderry Hotel and the Trocadero artisan bakery between 1895 and the 1980s. The £11 million renovation has preserved historic features, including original mosaic signage, decorative floor mosaics reflecting the site’s rich hospitality heritage, and the restored tiled façade.
Michael Jones
