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%

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

The 100 biggest restaurateurs in Germany rang up a 1.1% increase in sales revenues in 2009 (‘08: +4.2%; ‘07: +5.7%; ‘06: +7.6%). Although this represents a much lower rate of growth, they still succeeded – against all expectations and a reduced rate of expansion (0.6%) – in beating the previous record years by a small margin in absolute terms. The result: optimism for 2010.

The world’s local restaur ant: the market leader serves 60 m customers per day. With system-wide sales of more than US$72 bn, McDonald’s Corporation announced another strong year for 2009, driven by global comparable sales growth. When set against those of the other foodservice giants, McD’s figures for the most recent business year appear excellent

A value-driven, uniquely Swedish approach to keeping its customers refreshed has helped furniture retailing giant Ikea build one of Europe’s largest foodservice businesses (€1 bn plus worldwide). Edward Mohr, managing director, Ikea Food Services, discusses best practice sharing, logistical efficiency, service planning and brand management

House Café prides itself in having been the first café of its kind in Istanbul – imitated by many others after its first success in 2002. Indeed, the concept type combining a broad culinary mix of Turkish and international favourites with a stylish but laid-back environment is widely popular in the metropolis

Projects already launched prior to the financial downturn had only transpired in 2008, hence why there were still such positive increases on the international hotel market.

The world’s cheapest destinations in terms of hotel pricing became even less expensive in 2009. After heavy room rate reductions (-27%), Thailand’s capital Bangkok is still the lowest priced destination worldwide.