Americas
Hardee’s files lawsuit against 77-unit franchisee
Hardee’s Restaurants, the fast-food restaurant chain, has filed a lawsuit in the US against a 77-unit franchisee. Hardees has accused the operator, ARC Burger, operated by High Bluff Capital Partners, of “refusing to remain current on payments and other obligations,” according to QSR Magazine. ARC Burger bought the Hardee’s restaurants out of bankruptcy two years ago from Summit Restaurant Holdings. Its locations are in the US states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, and Wyoming.
Tim Hortons holiday campaign raises record breaking $13m for local charities
Canadian multinational coffeehouse and restaurant chain Tim Hortons has announced that $13m has been raised through this year’s ‘2025 Holiday Smile Cookie’ campaign for local charities, community groups and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. “We are so grateful to Tims restaurant owners, team members and volunteers across the country for their dedication to making this year’s Holiday Smile Cookie campaign a huge success,” said Axel Schwan, president of Tim Hortons. Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign first launched in 2023 and has now raised a total of $33.5 million for local charities and community groups, including Tim Hortons Foundation Camps.
Asia Pacific
Raffles Residences Bali to open in 2026
Accor and Kajima Development Pte Ltd has announced the forythcoming opening of Raffles Residences Bali, a community of 28 ultra-luxury homes located on a 5.3-hectare oceanfront estate adjacent to Raffles Bali in Jimbaran on the Indonesian island of Bali. The residences will launch “in multiple phases” and are scheduled to open in Q2 2026. Developed by PT Jimbaran Greenhill in partnership with PT Jimbaran Hijau and managed by Raffles Hotels & Resorts, the homes will range from three to five bedrooms with interior spaces starting at 502 square meters.
Park Hyatt Tokyo reopens following 19-month renovation
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the reopening of landmark hotel Park Hyatt Tokyo following a 19-month restoration. It marks the most comprehensive renewal in the property’s 30-year history. The project “celebrates the enduring legacy of Asia’s first Park Hyatt hotel – an iconic property that has shaped global perceptions of Tokyo’s luxury hospitality since opening in 1994 – while redefining the luxury hotel for today’s travelers,” says the chain. Over the last several years, the Park Hyatt Tokyo team and the Paris-based design studio Jouin Manku have approached Park Hyatt Tokyo’s restoration “with sensitivity and boldness, undertaking the unique challenge of refining a hotel whose cinematic presence, cultural significance, and architectural pedigree have made it one of the world’s most recognized addresses,” says Hyatt.
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
The MICHELIN Guide expands expertise with new distinction in wine
The MICHELIN Guide has introduced a new reference for wine-lovers. Its selection of wine producers – The MICHELIN Grapes – will see 1, 2 and 3 Grapes awarded via “a rigorous and transparent methodology” to producers based on five precise criteria used to ensure an independent and consistent selection. Starting in 2026, the first regions to be showcased will be those in Burgundy and the Bordeaux area of France. Spotlighting wine estates across different regions of the world, The MICHELIN Grapes will “assess their overall excellence based on five universal criteria applied consistently,” says the prestigious series of guidebooks.
European Foodservice Summit 2026 announced for Madrid on 15-17 September
Leading event, the European Foodservice Summit 2026 has been announced to take place in Madrid, Spain, on 15, 16 and 17 September 2026. The most relevant conference for European restaurant leaders, the conference is “where trend meets global insight” and features “critical industry topics and transformations, connecting professionals from diverse countries and perspectives, and expanding international networks”. The conference sees more 250+ senior executives from top restaurant chains and suppliers across 25+ countries, while industry leaders and market experts share research, strategies, and opportunities shaping the future of foodservice.
Michael Jones
