The Americas
McDonald’s charts ‘NEXT’ course as competition sharpens
The fast-food chain’s new strategy aims to drive growth and productivity by bringing in more customers, with the aim to be the customer’s first choice every time. McDonald’s added that “NEXT” defines the overall direction, while execution will vary by market depending on local customers and crew conditions. It replaces the previous Accelerating the Arches strategy, which pushed for innovation around digital, delivery, drive-thru, and development. The strategy comes amid a fierce battle for traffic and market share, as traditional quick-service competitors are investing in menu innovation, and emerging specialists are raising customer expectations around categories such as chicken, beverages, and burgers, including chains such as Popeyes and Dave’s Hot Chicken.
Meliá Hotels International continues to accelerate its growth in Argentina
The Group has signed two new projects in the province of Mendoza, Meliá Mendoza and Meliá Collection Valle de Uco. These reflect the company’s ambition to expand in unique destinations, with projects designed to integrate with their surroundings and elevate the guest experience. Meliá Mendoza, located in the heart of the city, near Plaza Independencia, will feature 140 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and meeting facilities. Scheduled to open in 2028, it will introduce the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand to a cosmopolitan urban setting for business and leisure travelers.
Asia Pacific
Chinese authorities take aim at “ghost kitchens” in effort to protect food safety
Authorities have found thousands of “ghost kitchens”, which only operate via delivery apps, across China, not to be confused with ‘dark’ or ‘cloud’ kitchens in this context, raising concerns that the cheap prices are coming at the cost of food safety, with many colluding to create an illegal supply chain, said China news agency Xinhua. The “ghost kitchens” outsource orders to third-party vendors, which fulfill them at lower costs, allowing merchants to push down prices and maximize profits. This came after someone received a cake that was decorated with inedible flowers. As of now, apps must verify restaurants’ licenses and addresses, while merchants must ensure the listing online matches the physical business and specify if it offers dine-in services.
Jollibee opens at Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2
The Philippine fast-food restaurant has opened a 24-hour branch at Hong Kong’s International Airport, marking a key milestone in the brand’s international expansion as it grows its presence in key global travel hubs. Located inside one of the world’s busiest airports, the new branch allows Jollibee to reach a broader mix of international travelers, and consumers passing through one of Asia’s key travel gateways each year. The branch is designed with travelers in mind, such as self-service kiosks and mobile ordering to provide customers with a faster, more convenient ordering experience while on the go.
Europe, Middle East, Africa
Chefs call for VAT cuts in new UK hospitality industry campaign
In a new campaign called VAT’s The Problem, supported by industry bodies such as UKHospitality, four top UK chefs and restaurant owners have urged the government to cut VAT for restaurants and pubs as they warned working in the hospitality industry was the “hardest it has ever been”. Tom Kerridge, Yotam Ottolenghi, Ravneet Gill and Simon Rogan told BBC Newsnight VAT in the UK should be cut from 20% to 10% to ease pressure on businesses and bring rates closer to levels across Europe. “We’re not making any money whatsoever, and we’re just keeping our heads above water,” said Rogan, while Kerridge said the government was getting taxation on businesses “very, very wrong”.
European hospitality employers call for workable implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive
With the Pay Transparency Directive transposition deadline on 7 June 2026, HOTREC, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe, joined other European employer organizations in reaffirming its strong commitment to equal pay, gender equality, equal opportunities and fair remuneration practices. Employers across sectors and enterprises of all sizes are in support the objectives of the Directive, but the process revealed significant legal, technical and operational challenges across a large majority of Member States. To avoid legal uncertainty and ensure effective and coherent implementation, HOTREC and other European employer organizations, in a joint statement, called for a temporary “stop-the-clock” mechanism.
Lauren Hurrell
