A new spin off by McDonald’s, CosMc’s
8-12-2023
In August of this year we read about the first rumours that McDonald’s would introduce a new spin off called CosMc’s. Now the news is in the open and they started to trial in the first location Bolingbrook, Illinois. It’s opening today! The concept is based on CosMc, a McDonald’s-craving space alien, who first appeared as a character in the late 80’s and early 90’s promotional advertisements. CosMc’s is a new small-format, beverage-led concept that’s inspired by nostalgia and powered by a menu of bold, refreshing beverages and tasty treats.
Taco Bell at Home | Limited-edition ‘Taco Bell SOS kits’ for students
8-12-2023
As finals season begins across college campuses nationwide, thousands of students find themselves without a Taco Bell® restaurant within walking distance – leaving them in distress when study session cravings hit. Recently Taco Bell at Home came to the rescue with the new ‘Taco Bell SOS Kits’, designed to give students on these campuses the mouthwatering Taco Bell goodness, even without a restaurant nearby. The kit features the newest Taco Bell at Home essentials from Kraft Heinz to recreate fan-favorite menu items.
Great idea to focus on students in their finals season!
During the holidays it snows fresh ‘Brammetjes’ at Bram Ladage
7-12-2023
During the holiday season everyone is always busy and part of it is last minute Christmas shopping in crowded and busy shopping streets. Bram Ladage, known for its delicious fries, is giving shoppers in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) a great surprise this December. “To surprise our Bram fans while shopping, we sprinkle the month of December with free ‘Brammetjes’ or in English Bramlets. To warm up while shopping, or to give away to family or friends under the Christmas tree. Convenient, because then you don’t have to go into the stores for other presents,” says Isabeau Ladage, responsible for the marketing.
Classic unboxing experience at McDonald’s | Adult Happy Meal
5-12-2023
Last year McDonald’s gave their now adult fans the change to relive the feeling of opening a Happy Meal® box to see the surprises inside. The Cactus Plant Flea Market Box in the U.S. was the first Adult Happy Meal, this year they sparkle the nostalgic joy with the help of the visionary artist Kerwin Frost and some very special Buddies.
Trends we spotted | Week 47
28-11-2023
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to article about among others:
- A beautiful cake; a great idea for shared dining dessert for your Christmas dinner.
- The Christmas tree of the Pulitzer hotel in Amsterdam has been decorated by ROKSANDA.
- We wonder when the first branch of BelChicken, a fast-growing Belgian chain, will open in the Netherlands.
- For the seventh edition of Hertog Jan Grand Prestige Vatgerijpt, the four variants pay tribute to the shared craftsmanship behind distinctive Latin American distillates.
- In the US, autonomous robotic kiosks powered by Blendid technology selling smoothies with Thor’s Skyr will soon open.
- Sodexo, a global leader in quality-of-life services, is expanding its partnership with Bear Robotics to facilitate patient care.
- Mandarin Oriental hotels are taking their wellness to the next level while promoting mindfulness, silence and a digital detox. On 13 December, they will celebrate their ‘Silent Night’.
Enjoy reading!
Latte Art socks | Heartwarming socks promotion from Bagels & Beans
27-11-2023
During the month December, Bagels & Beans in the Netherlands will be sharing their warmth in a very special way. In addition to bagels, coffee & happiness, they will now also literally share ‘warmth’. They will do so with something that many take for granted: a pair of socks.
For the heartwarming campaign ‘Who will you give warm feet? Share the warmth!” Bagels & Beans has joined forces with ‘Let’s do Goods’ and created unique Latte Art socks. For every pair of Latte Art socks sold, Bagels & Beans and ‘Let’s do Goods’ will donate a pair of socks to someone who desperately needs them. The goal is to work together with all bagel fans to provide as much warm feet as possible to homeless people in the Netherlands.
Update January 15: As a result of the December campaign ‘Who do you give warm feet? Share the warmth!’ Bagels & Beans has donated 5,000 pairs of new socks to homeless people in the Netherlands. In the week of January 8, the special donation socks were handed over to the Salvation Army locations in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Is your restaurant or hotel offering a ‘Black Friday’ deal?
21-11-2023
Is your mailbox also filled with a flood of ‘Black Friday’ deals? Your social media feeds and the internet probably as well. However, there are very few ‘Black Friday’ deals from restaurants and hotels among them. Too bad! We have searched for some examples of how, as marketing for restaurants and hotels, you and your guests can benefit from real ‘Black Friday’ deals.
Trends we spotted | Week 46
20-11-2023
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about among others:
- McDonald’s X Crocs – a collaboration resulting in very special crocs.
- ‘Ravioles du Dauphine’, the recently opened Café Chelsea, which belongs to Hotel Chelsea in NYC, decided to put this classic dish on its menu.
- The Disney Treasure is Disney’s sixth themed cruise ship, with touches of well-known classics like ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Star Wars’ on board.
- It’s the season of perfume commercials! Absolut and Kahlúa launched an espresso martini perfume in collaboration with Imaginary Authors, and Nestle Toll House decided to launch ‘freshly baked biscuits’-skincare products with skincare brand Beekman 1802.
- The first location of restaurant Kernel is opening in New York next year. They will use robots to serve meat-free dishes.
- Fletcher Hotels in the Netherlands adjusted its policy on action vouchers in consultation with the Dutch Consumers’ Association.
- A new flavour combination from Heinz – Pickle Ketchup. Available in early 2024.
- The Connaught hotel in Mayfair has unveiled its legendary Christmas tree, decorated this year by the British artist and sculptor Rachel Whiteread.
Enjoy reading!
Trends we spotted | Week 45
14-11-2023
At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’.
- ‘Cheers without tears’ – Sisters Kaat and Marie of The Mocktail Club make it easier to choose an alcohol-free alternative this New Year’s Eve.
- Too Good To Go also provides Magic Packages. Read on to see what’s in them!
- Dutch chef Ties van Oosten is cooking ‘Futuristic’ at Eatrenalin at the Europa-Park Resort.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Central Station provides shelter for economically homeless people in cooperation with ROOM FOR CHANGE.
- The Coca-Cola Christmas truck will tour the United Kingdom again. Seems like a lot of fun, we would love that in the Netherlands too, right?
- Frostys Christmas Pop-Up is a spectacular bar with a cozy and enchanting Christmas ambiance. With 4 locations in America. Looks top notch with DJs, sexy Santa Clauses and elves.
- FLOWERBX, a luxury floral brand, is the new creative floral specialist in the lobby of the Corinthia hotel in London.
- Dinner overlooking NYC’s premier ice rink: the ‘après skate chalets’ at Rockefeller Plaza by Balsam Hill.
- We previously wrote about the cobots Flippy and Chippy and now we came across another revolutionary cobot. This one is called Hyphen and is currently being tested at Chipotle.
Enjoy reading!
Winter magic at the restaurants of The Entourage Group
10-11-2023
We often feature examples of winter magic from abroad on our website, like this week about the ‘Countdown to Christmas’ themed suites at a number of Hilton Hotels and the Christmas initiatives on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate museum. But a lot is happening in the Netherlands around Christmas too! If you are doing something special send a press release to the local press! Hopefully potential guests will read an article about what they can experience at your place. Of course, we always enjoy receiving special press releases as well. From The Entourage Group, for example, we received an overview of what their restaurants are hosting for each holiday. Hopefully their ‘winter magic’ press release will be picked up by the local press in Amsterdam as well. Check out what they organize during the holiday season below.