The Americas
Krispy Kreme stock boost in wake of strategic McDonald’s partnership
Krispy Kreme stock received a impressive surge of more than 100% in trading volume this week. The news follows the announcement of an expanded partnership with burger giant McDonald’s, which will distribute Krispy Kreme donut products throughout McDonald’s restaurants in the US. The move is also expected to significantly increase Krispy Kreme’s market penetration as it aims to leverage McDonald’s extensive network. Yahoo Finance reports the move as “a crucial step for Krispy Kreme’s growth trajectory”. Prior to this announcement, Krispy Kreme stocks was trading at a much lower momentum, “with challenges in scaling”.
QSR Magazine announces The 2025 Women in Restaurant Leadership Awards
QSR and FSR Magazines’ Women in Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) platform has announced the debut of its Women In Restaurant Leadership (WiRL) Awards, which “honor the leaders of today and tomorrow”. Launched in 2023, WiRL was created by the magazines as “a national community to elevate, educate, and empower women in restaurant leadership”. The signature annual event, the ‘WiRL Together Summit’, held in February, “brings together women from across the industry to connect, learn, foster mentorship, and gain career advancement insights”. Nominations open in October and close in November, with winners featured in QSR’s February WiRL special issue and honored during the 2026 WiRL Together Summit in Charleston, South Carolina, US (register to attend the event here).
Asia Pacific
Hilton strengthens South India portfolio with signing of Hilton Chennai Egmore
Hilton has announced the signing of Hilton Chennai Egmore, further “strengthening its presence in Tamil Nadu and advancing its growth strategy in South India”. Developed in partnership with MKR Estate Developers Private Limited, part of the MGM Healthcare Group, the hotel is expected to open in January 2029. It will expand the presence of Hilton’s flagship brand, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, in the city, joining Hilton Chennai. Located in Egmore, Chennai’s bustling cultural and commercial hub, the hotel will be part of a larger mixed-use development that also includes a commercial office complex, ensuring a steady base of business and event demand.
China restaurant sales probably slowed due to government spending crackdown
China restaurant sales growth most likely slowed to 4% in 2025 because of the impact of the country’s government’s “crackdown on extravagant dining,” according to a report by Morningstar. However, it is anticipated that the rollout of a new childcare subsidy “could lift restaurant spending in the fourth quarter of 2025 and into early 2026”.
Wage inflation in the restaurant sector “has remained below the national average of roughly 7%, slowing to 4% in 2024,” reports QSR Media Asia. “Labor costs are expected to remain a steady share of restaurant expenses through 2025.”
Europe, Middle East, Africa,
UK pubs could stay open longer under government plans to revive sector
British prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is aiming to cut “red tape” he believes is impeding UK pubs from hosting live music and food pop-ups, reports The Independent.
The prime minister, called pubs “the beating heart” of UK communities, and has launched a four-week “blitz” survey of landlords, customers, and neighbors. “This initiative could lead to a bonfire of old licensing rules, amid fears some historic venues have shut due to noise complaints or advertising concerns.”
CityHub expands European presence with Hamburg hotel development
CityHub, the Netherlands-based urban lifestyle hotel brand that combines private, tech-enabled “Hubs” with shared community spaces, has confirmed it will develop its fifth European location following the conversion of a property in Hamburg, Germany. The new site will mark CityHub’s first hotel conversion and its debut in the German hotel market. It has also announced plans to expand even further, following successful launches in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Copenhagen, and Reykjavik.
Michael Jones
