The Americas
Higher gas prices continue to challenge the restaurant industry
Amid continued turmoil between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, rising fuel prices, which have risen by 21%, caused a 0.9% jump in consumer price in March, a steeper result than February’s 0.3%, and the largest monthly increase since June 2022. Food prices didn’t change, but menu figures climbed 0.2%. Dr. Chad Moutray, chief economist at the National Restaurant Association, said oil prices could retreat in the coming weeks if traffic flows to a near-normal pace in the Strait of Hormuz. “That outcome would provide welcome relief for consumers and the broader macroeconomy,” he said.
Value menus are the top driver of frequency for QSR diners
According to according to a new YouGov report, Best Bites 2026: US Restaurant Brand Rankings, 66% of weekly QSR diners are motivated by value/discount menus, including 69% of women and 63% of men. Nearly every chain has embraced value menu in a bid to win back increasingly discerning consumers fatigued by relentless inflation. Two-thirds of Americans eat at a quick-service restaurant at least a month, while 30% are weekly diners, most of whom are motivated by value menus.
Asia Pacific
Vietnam’s food safety overhaul moves along following delays
After a failed attempt to implement new food safety regulations in January, Vietnam has taken next steps forward with a revised framework for the country’s food safety law. This comes after the failed rollout of Decree 46 which exposed major bottlenecks across inspection, testing, and import clearance. The overhaul focuses on a more decentralized model of oversight, with responsibility divided more clearly between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and local authorities. Under the current draft, the Ministry of Industry and Trade would take responsibility for categories including alcoholic beverages, beer, soft drinks, processed milk, vegetable oils, and processed flour and starch products, while local authorities would oversee smaller operators, foodservice, and local markets.
Delivery to account for 25% of APAC foodservice by 2030
APAC foodservice delivery reached $303bn, with its share rising from 16% in 2020 to 22% in 2025, and projected to grow further to 25% by 2030, according to the latest data from Euromonitor. Asia holds 40% of global foodservice sales, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% between 2025 and 2030. Consumer foodservice in Asia Pacific reached $1.3tn in value sales in 2025. Globally and in APAC, one in five dollars of foodservice is now fulfilled through delivery.
Europe, Africa and the Middle East
Deep-fried food to be banned under new plans to “overhaul” school dinners
The UK government’s proposals will ban deep-fried food and see fruit replace “sugar-laden treats” for most of the school week, while also removing unhealthy “grab and go” options like sausage rolls and pizza from schools. The Department for Education (DfE) says the changes will mean millions of children will get healthier and more nutritious meals at school each day, combating high-sugar diets and obesity in children. The Association of School and College Leaders said it supported improving the quality of school food, but said additional funding to pay for the changes would be “essential”.
Richard Caring sells Ivy Collection, Annabel’s and Scott’s for £1.4bn to Diafa
Richard Caring has sold The Ivy Collection, Annabel’s, Scott’s, Sexy Fish, Harry’s Bar, George, Mark’s Club and Noema to Abu Dhabi-based buyer Diafa, an affiliate of IHC Group, chaired by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al Nahyan. The deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, for £1.4bn. Diafa already owns Zuma and Roka after securing a significant stake in its operator, Azumi, last year. At the time it said its ambition was to become the world’s largest F&B business. This deal, which is expected to be formally announced imminently, takes Diafa closer to that goal. According to reports in The Times, Caring will remain executive chairman of the group, which will seek to expand the Ivy Collection into the US.
Lauren Hurrell
