The Americas
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills unveils rooftop venue Gemma with Pan-Asian theme
Designed by Marc Ange, the rooftop bar and restaurant feature yellow floor lamps that create distinct points of light throughout the rooftop. With a culinary approach helmed by chef Peleg Miron, the menu draws on influences from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, culminating in unique flavors with a Californian edge. Led by beverage director Jim Kearns, Gemma’s drinks program mirrors the menu’s global influence, with cocktails inspired by Asian and tropical destinations and executed with a contemporary approach.
Technomic Top 500 offers a mixed bag of results for the restaurant industry
The Technomic Top 500 is an annual report and ranking of the 500 largest chain restaurants and foodservice companies in the US, produced by the food industry research firm Technomic. According to this year’s data, which covers 2025 performance, reveals that, for the second year running, foodservice inflation (3.8%) outpaced Top 500 sales growth (3%), while last year marked the fourth year of decelerating sales growth. Burger, pizza, and sandwich chains struggled to keep up with the rest of the industry. The burger segment grew sales by only 1.5% last year, while the sandwich segment grew by only 0.2%, and pizza sales fell by 0.3%. Major players such as Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, and Papa John’s saw sales drop severely, while McDonald’s, Burger King, and Domino’s grew only modestly.
Asia Pacific
APAC food away-from-home market to reach $2.73t by 2033
The APAC food away-from-home market was valued at about $1.81t in 2025 and is projected to grow to $1.92t in 2026, reaching $2.73t by 2033, according to Grand View Research. This growth is being driven mostly by urbanization, a rising working population, and increasing demand for QSRs and ready-to-eat meals. The expansion of food delivery platforms and shifting consumer preferences toward more varied cuisines are also contributing to higher spending outside the home. Data from April 2026 shows food is now amongst the top three travel motivations in Asia, as travelers prioritize culinary experiences over traditional sightseeing.
Hilton to add over 2,000 new Hilton Garden Inn rooms across China
Hilton will add more than 2,000 new Hilton Garden Inn rooms across China, reinforcing the brand’s presence in major business centers such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, while broadening its footprint into emerging leisure destinations across China. The signings, secured with multiple owners at the Hilton Garden Inn Investment Summit in China, underscore strong market confidence in a prototype developed specifically for the China market: Hilton Garden Inn Gen A.
Europe, Africa and Middle East
JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort joins the GHA Discovery loyalty program
This marks a major milestone in the resort’s continued evolution following its £20 million refurbishment and relaunch. The partnership positions JA Mar Hall alongside more than 1,000 luxury hotels, resorts and palaces worldwide, opening the estate up to a global community of luxury travelers with exclusive member benefits, rates and loyalty recognition. Set within 240 acres of Scottish countryside overlooking the River Clyde, JA Mar Hall continues to strengthen its position as one of Scotland’s leading luxury destinations, combining heritage, wellness, golf and destination dining.
New IKEA attraction appears in Sweden
After analyzing 20 years of solar data together with the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), retailer IKEA, known for its furniture and foodservice, has identified the exact spot in Sweden with the highest statistical chance of sunshine. The location, on the island of Gotland, is now marked by a permanent monument consisting of two granite IKEA armchairs. The project draws on Sweden’s long-standing fascination with geographical landmarks. IKEA
serves more than 665 million global customers annually and is well-known for its signature Swedish meatballs, ultra-cheap hot dogs and sustainable plant-based alternatives.
Lauren Hurrell
