Market Trends

🏨 By the end of the year, IHG's Crowne Plaza aims to have 70% of its Americas locations updated with the “New Modern” design. Renovations include flexible workspaces, social hubs, and upgraded guest rooms. Key renovations: Crowne Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center's 148 rooms and public areas, Louisville Airport Expo Center's 588 rooms and 50,000 sq ft event space, Seattle – Downtown's 418 rooms and 10,000 sq ft meeting space, Niagara Falls NY – Riverside's 141 rooms, and Orlando – Downtown's 227 rooms and 8,000 sq ft event space. Expansion plans involve adding over 36,000 rooms across nearly 150 hotels, a 35% room count increase, including a 22-story Times Square hotel and properties in Mexico City and Saint John, New Brunswick.

🏨 Aimbridge Hospitality tackled labor shortages by embracing UKG Pro’s technology, creating a flexible labor marketplace for its 45,000 U.S. employees across 1,100 properties, and winning the 2024 Hotel Visionary Award in HR. This system allows workers to pick up shifts at different locations while complying with various regulations. Over 12,000 employees, about 30% of the hourly workforce, have utilized the new model, enhancing job satisfaction and earning potential. Aimbridge's frontline workers now focus more on guest experiences, thanks to the automated backend processes provided by UKG.

🍜 Ramen shops in the U.S. have seen a rise in popularity, with a current market value over $1 billion annually per IBISWorld. Kyuramen, which started in Queens, N.Y., in 2019, now boasts 40 locations. Rakkan Ramen, originating in Tokyo in 2011, has expanded to over a dozen U.S. locations. In casinos, ramen is increasingly common, such as at Monarch Casino's Twenty-Four 7 in Black Hawk, Colo., which added the dish in 2022, offering three varieties: tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso. Chef Alexander Lopez notes ramen's comforting appeal and the role of social media in its popularity.

🏖 Hampton Conservatories completed a glazed extension for the Ryder Grill at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in Warwickshire, a four-time Ryder Cup host. The resort, with an £80 million investment, engaged the Elliot Group for refurbishments. The 230m² orangery features Edwardian-style elements, brick detailing, and two roof lanterns (9x7m, 9x4m). Special design accommodated substantial air-handling equipment within the structure's aesthetic, enhancing dining capacity and guest experience.

🏡 Steelite International's Alina collection won the Fine Dinnerware category at the Tableware Awards 2025, announced at Ambiente. The Alina collection, recognized for its Japanese and Scandi-inspired aesthetics, consists of 36 pieces, including 15 plates and 11 bowls. The collection is part of the Steelite Distinction range, offering elegance and durability. Judges such as Wiebke Lehman and Nick Holland praised Alina for its design and functionality.

🏨 Marc Schwarz, Director of Service at Thrive Hospitality, discussed working with Ian Schrager of Morgan's Hotel Group on Feb. 10, 2025. The episode highlights Schrager's distinctive hotel culture and includes music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound. The podcast aims to turn insights into actionable benefits for businesses and their clientele.

📢 Marc Schwarz, Director of Service at Thrive Hospitality, shares insights on hospitality success in a podcast episode released on Feb. 10, 2025. The episode is part of the Hospitality Daily Podcast and focuses on the mindset required for a career in hospitality. The podcast episode can be found on various online platforms, including Buzzsprout and getpodpage.com, with related resources and most popular episodes featured on the Hospitality Daily Podcast website.

🏠 Ste Marie designed a spa-like store for luggage brand Monos on Toronto's Ossington Street, near Little Portugal. Influenced by "mono no aware," a Japanese concept, and Portugal's "pousadas," the store features an olive tree, water feature, waxed plaster walls, and stone displays. Rainbow onyx from Turkey and Italian Onice Striato Avorio stone highlight the design. Cove lighting and mirrors amplify the curated collection of luggage and accessories for the mindful traveler.

🍔 In 2018, the FDA required restaurant chains with 20+ units to display calorie counts on menus, but not macronutrients. Dallas-based HG Sply Co., with four units, has voluntarily added transparent calorie and macro counts on its new menu. Sameer Patel, co-CEO of parent company UNCO, inspired the health-focused menu revamp after his lymphoma diagnosis in early 2024. Partnering with Texas Women's University nutrition students and sourcing sustainable ingredients, the company reworked nearly its entire menu, removing seed oils and reducing added sugars. The new kale Caesar salad has 29 fewer grams of fat and 250 fewer calories, while the fries are now water-blanched, steamed, and fried for a lighter finish. Even cocktails use natural sweeteners, with many under 120 calories. Patel emphasizes the company's belief in fueling life with food.

📈 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a decrease of 15,700 restaurant industry jobs in January, contrasting with a 143,000 job increase in the overall workforce. The unemployment rate dropped to 4% from December's 4.1%. December's revised figures show 307,000 jobs added, with 23,200 in eating and drinking places. In the second half of 2024, 148,000 restaurant jobs were added, 72,000 above the pre-pandemic peak. Full-service restaurants are still 4.1% below early 2020 levels. Recruitment and retention challenge 77% of restaurant operators. The National Restaurant Association forecasts 200,000 job additions in 2025, expecting the industry's workforce to reach 15.9 million and 17.4 million by 2035.