The Horeca top 100, which ranks the top-selling companies/brands in the Netherlands, achieved a total turnover of some half a billion euros in 2009. The front runner, McDonald’s, managed to extend the lead it had established last year, recording an increase of 5.5% to V558 m (previous year V529 m) with 221 outlets

France’s restaurant market in 2009: once again a disappointing year for the fullservice sector, whilst the QSR segment is prospering and growing. Market leaders, McDonald’s, increased their turnover by 9%, whilst Quick, in second place, made an impressive leap of nearly 27%

There is a lot of talk about sustainability but how important are issues such as energy saving, recyclable materials and lower carbon footprint when users specify cooking equipment? And what impact has the recession had on kitchen budgets? Senior executives at major kitchen equipment companies talk about changing priorities in design and development

A few years back, Abu Dhabi was a mere question mark. ABU WHERE? 100 km down the road was the shining star of the Gulf, Dubai – the city where bling never sleeps. Loud, bombastic and dominant, Dubai was the brash city cousin with the biggest, tallest and meanest of everything from malls to towers, islands to glitzy events

They have never provided an easily exportable model but pubs continue to be major players in UK foodservice. Despite ever-tougher trading conditions, one business in particular – the 783-unit J D Wetherspoon chain – has kept on growing its estate and profits by giving customers what they want

We realized that nobody was doing what we are doing on a scalable, i.e. on a chain level,” says Jean-Michel Orieux, Managing Director of London’s Ping Pong brand. The company’s logical conclusion: let’s spread our concept. Not just in Britain or Europe, but far beyond the sea. By now, the premium Chinese casual dining formula is striking roots on three continents

Europeans love pizza, whether the economy is booming or in crisis. But these little circles of dough from Italy do not automatically mean a licence to print money: the market conditions are harsh and competition for the big chains, not least from cheaper, individual providers and from frozen goods in the supermarkets, is fierce.

One of Germany’s most successful exports celebrates its 200th birthday this year. The first ‘Oktoberfest’ was held in Munich on 17 October 1810. Today, it takes place annually and is, with an average of 6 m visitors over 16 days, the world’s biggest event of its kind

Despite the rediscovered love of traditional cuisine and regional dishes a change of image is essential for both domestic and ethnic restaurants. Folklore? No way! However, Italy’s Costa Group is always a rich source of visual examples showing ways in which tradition can be oriented towards the future by a fearless yet respectful blend of references to the past and modern ideas