The Americas
Burger King tests AI-powered headsets for employees
The AI system, called BK Assistant, compiles ‘friendliness scores’ at branches based on employees’ conversations, according to a promotional video the company shared with the BBC. The headsets are equipped with an AI chatbot called ‘Patty’ to answer employee questions about menu item preparation and to flag when products need restocking. The operator is piloting the system at 500 US restaurants, saying the technology is not designed to “record conversations or evaluate individual employees”, but its ability to do so has raised concerns regarding surveillance. Burger King’s chief digital officer told online publication The Verge that the fast-food outlet had trained the OpenAI-powered system to identify terms including “please” and “thank you” to evaluate staff friendliness. The tool is “designed to streamline restaurant operations” to let managers and staff “focus more on guest service and team leadership”, Restaurant Brands International, the chain’s parent company, said in a statement on Thursday.
Papa Johns plans 300 store closures, corporate layoffs amid turnaround efforts
The pizza operator hopes to save tens of millions of dollars through store closures and layoffs, while also reigniting sales with innovation and value. The chain announced plans to close 300 North American restaurants, with 200 in 2026 and 100 in 2027. So far, it has laid off about 7% of its corporate workforce. “While transformations are not linear, we are managing the current environment while taking deliberate strategic actions to deliver long-term value creation for all of our stakeholders,” CFO Ravi Thanawala said during the chain’s Q4 earnings call.
Asia Pacific
FOODEX JAPAN 2026 to showcase global food trends and AI-powered logistics solutions
From March 10-13, the Japan Management Association (JMA) will host FOODEX JAPAN 2026, one of Asia’s largest international food and beverage exhibitions, at Tokyo Big Sight. Marking its 51st exhibition, the event is expected to feature approximately 3,000 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions and attract an estimated 80,000 trade professionals, including 14,000 international buyers. This year’s event will spotlight three key trends shaping the global consumer market: “Swicy” (sweet & spicy), emerging from social media and gaining rapid traction in Western markets, this flavor profile balances heat and sweetness; Craft snacks, which are products produced by artisans’ commitment to local craft, and regional identity over mass manufacturing; and premium Instant: as demand for convenience grows, the market is evolving toward restaurant-quality instant foods and beverages that deliver authentic flavor with minimal preparation. The event will also address industry challenges, including AI and logistics, and will feature specialized events and awards.
Hilton to introduce iconic luxury brand to Goa
Hotel group Hilton is set to open its luxury brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, in South Goa, with a 148‑room beachfront retreat set to mark Hilton’s luxury debut in the state. The new hotel will be Hilton’s third Waldorf Astoria in India, following the signings of Waldorf Astoria Jaipur and Waldorf Astoria New Delhi, and underscores the continued expansion of Hilton’s luxury footprint across the country’s most compelling urban and leisure destinations. It also expands Hilton’s presence in Goa to four hotels, reflecting sustained confidence in the market’s domestic and international appeal, and enduring appetite for high-end leisure experiences. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2030.
Europe, Middle East, and Africa
Pizza Express has announced that they are branching into chicken
As chicken continues to trend globally across the restaurant and fast-food sectors, the pizza operator Pizza Express has announced it will follow suit, adding wings options to its menus, alongside mac’n’cheese. The organization hopes this move will bolster growth plans. Paula MacKenzie, Pizza Express chief executive, told the Press Association that the business has been “working on the concept for a number of months” after recognizing customer demand. She said: “There is a competitive context but we are launching the concept because we believe we can do something exciting and different. It is something we are able to do alongside pizzas in our kitchens, but it is important that the brand does feel like it has its own identity.”
Vegetarian diets linked to lower risks of several cancers
A new analysis by the British Journal of Cancer has found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower risks for several cancers, including breast, prostate, kidney and pancreatic cancers, as well as multiple myeloma. The study examined cancer cases among over 1.8 million people across nine prospective cohorts and followed participants for a median of 16 years. Given that the study is observational, identifying correlations between diet patterns and cancer risk, it cannot establish causation – higher risks may also be influenced by nutritional differences rather than by proven mechanisms. The study, however, found that vegetarians were at 28% lower risk of kidney cancer, 31% lower risk of multiple myeloma, and 21% lower risk of pancreatic cancer, among other lower risks compared with meat eaters, which is consistent with existing evidence about diets rich in vegetables, fiber and plant foods for preventative effects. These findings are consistent with broader evidence that diets rich in vegetables, fiber, and whole plant foods can support cancer prevention.
Lauren Hurrell
