The Americas
Lima, Peru, to host The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
For the first time in its 24-year history, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026 will take place in Lima, Peru, where the global dining community, the world’s best chefs and restaurateurs will gather to celebrate the unveiling of 1-50 ranking on 4 November. The city will host the event program in partnership with the Trade, Tourism and Investment Commission of Peru. Last year’s ranking reveal saw local dining destination Maido named top of the world, while Lima’s Kjolle, Merito and Mayta all celebrating a place in the 1-50 list alongside restaurants from 32 cities in 22 countries.
McDonald’s reveals new single-story concept restaurant prototype
McDonald’s revealed its new single-story restaurant prototype to franchisees at its recent Worldwide convention in Las Vegas. After some tweaks the company expects to open it to franchisees whose restaurants are due for a remodel, or who are planning new locations. The chain’s goal with the concept is to make the restaurant “unmistakably McDonald’s.” At the same time the prototype stands as a symbol for the modern way consumers interact with fast-food restaurants. The new design makes the kitchen fully visible, and integrates digital and technology throughout, from the connected kitchen to the delivery pickup area outside, to the slimmed-down kiosks where customers place orders, and temperature-controlled order pickup lockers.
Asia Pacific
Restaurants that fail to balance risk and innovation are losing customers, study finds
Nearly nine in 10 restaurant leaders are struggling to reconcile innovation with risk management, and the gap is costing many of them customers, according to research commissioned by Mastercard, reports QSR Asia. The study, The experimentation advantage: Research on de-risking innovation, was carried out by Forrester Consulting in 2025 and examined innovation, risk management and AI adoption across several industries. Among restaurant leaders surveyed, 86% said balancing risk and innovation was a challenge, and 37% said that failing to strike that balance contributed to customer churn.
India’s largest hospitality company continues momentum with 20 more hotels
Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, continues its growth momentum with the signing of 20 hotels in the first quarter of FY2027 reaching a portfolio of 645 hotels with an industry leading pipeline of 263 hotels. In the quarter the company also opened 11 new hotels across its brands. IHCL is well poised to achieve its goal of a 700-hotel portfolio under its strategic roadmap – Accelerate 2030.
Europe, Africa and Middle East
GLP-1 users replace eating out with activities as usage jumps to 8%
GLP-1 weight loss medications are reshaping how consumers eat, drink and socialize, with many users increasingly choosing activities over food-focused occasions, according to new research from IGD. IGD reports that 8% of UK adults have personally used weight-loss medications as of May this year – up from 3.1% in June 2025 – with 6% currently using them, and numbers are continuing to grow. Based on qualitative research with current GLP-1 users, IGD found that the impact of weight loss medications extends far beyond smaller appetites. Users reported becoming more focused on nutrition, eating less overall, and changing the types of food they want to consume. Many described seeking high-protein and nutrient-dense options while losing interest in more indulgent choices.
Hilton announces extended stay-hotel in Madrid, Spain
Hilton has signed a franchise agreement with Santander Asset Management to open the first Home2 Suites by Hilton in Spain, a 215-suite extended-stay hotel, set to open in Madrid’s central Retiro district in 2028. Upon opening, Home2 Suites by Hilton Madrid Retiro will be the brand’s second property in Europe, following Home2 Suites by Hilton Dublin City Centre. The Madrid hotel will offer studio and one-bedroom suites with in-suite kitchens and flexible living areas. Planned amenities include a rooftop pool and terrace, complimentary hot breakfast, Spin2Cycle integrated fitness and laundry facilities, and social spaces.
Lauren Hurrell
