Miscellaneous

☕️ Arighi Bianchi partners with Grind coffee in May 2025 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, marking the first time Grind coffee is served outside London. Grind, known for its ethically sourced and sustainable coffee, becomes available at Caffè AB. Arighi Bianchi, a 170-year-old furniture store, embraces this partnership to enrich its in-store experience. Previously, Grind had cafés in London, Soho House, and plans to open in Manchester. Grind is also available on British Airways and online.

📶 Dense Air rebrands as IONX Networks to enhance mobile coverage solutions. IONX, led by CEO Jim Estes, focuses on resolving poor cellular coverage issues with scalable, secure solutions. With a customer-first approach, they target enterprises, operators, and property owners, offering improved connectivity through small cell technology and shared spectrum. Chief Revenue Officer Mark Meuleman emphasizes their commitment to fast, cost-effective solutions. IONX aims for seamless mobile experiences by addressing connectivity challenges. More at [IONX Networks](https://www.ionxnetworks.com/).

🍱 Tony Townley, who sold his Zaxbys stake in 2020, invests in Maepole, a Georgia-based restaurant concept with three locations. Founded in 2018 by chef Peter Dale, Maepole offers customizable, fresh, healthy meals aimed at millennials and Gen Z. Current locations are in Athens and Atlanta, seating 40-50 in 2,800-3,000 sq. ft. spaces. Maepole plans regional expansion in 2024 and potential franchising by 2026, with menu changes reflecting seasonal produce.

✈️ TripStack, part of the Etraveli Group, partners with Azul, Brazil’s largest airline, to enhance global travel connectivity via Virtual Interline technology. This integration, announced in 2025, allows Azul customers to book international flights with seamless connections through TripStack’s algorithms on Azul's website. TripStack CEO Gabor Toth emphasizes competitive pricing and expanded connectivity, while Azul’s André Mercadante highlights enhanced European itineraries. The technology also features automated rebooking for increased flexibility and reliability.

📶 Dense Air rebrands to IONX Networks, emphasizing customer-focused mobile coverage solutions. CEO Jim Estes and CRO Mark Meuleman highlight the commitment to addressing connectivity issues like dropped calls and dead zones. Utilizing shared, multi-operator networks with small cell technology, IONX aims to enhance coverage and user experiences. The rebrand involves a new visual identity and messaging, aiming for scalable, cost-effective solutions for enterprises, operators, and property owners. Discover more at [IONX Networks](https://www.ionxnetworks.com/).

🍴 Bret Thorn is a senior editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999 and Restaurant Hospitality since 2016. His career includes writing for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and Asia Times (1995-1997). A Tufts University graduate, he also studied at Peking and Nanjing Universities in 1988-1989. Thorn won a 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and served as IFEC president in 2005. His expertise spans food trends, French cuisine, and Asian culinary arts.

🍹 Scottish distiller Eden Mill refreshes its gin range with new bottles and labels in 2025, emphasizing local botanicals from Scotland's East Coast. Notably, Golf Gin is the first spirit distilled with botanicals from St Andrews' Old Course. Eden Mill's distillery, operational in 2025 and open to the public by August, is powered by renewable energy. Golf Gin is available in over 200 Waitrose stores across the UK. Eden Mill partners with MiAlgae to enhance sustainability efforts.

📰 Kristian Olsen, founder of Atypical, discusses the evolving marketing strategies tailored for Gen Z consumers. As media consumption habits shift, social media and content marketing become crucial. Key insights include understanding the media behavior of Gen X, Y, and Z, and strategies for inclusive social media marketing. Businesses are advised to leverage content marketing effectively, highlighting its importance and identifying common missed opportunities. Brands like LG, WWE, and Jeep exemplify successful adaptations in this landscape.

🍱 HungerRush has integrated Grubhub into its POS system, joining DoorDash and Uber Eats. This centralizes food orders, eliminating separate tablets and third-party aggregators. James Ryan from Flippin’ Pizza notes improved accuracy and streamlined operations. Eran Hollander, HungerRush CPO, highlights enhanced guest experiences and reduced tech complexity. The integration reduces time, costs, and employee frustration. It's available to all HungerRush customers, offering real-time updates and efficient order management.

🥜 JING™ collaborates with Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt at Ekstedt at The Yard, London, since 2021, to enhance their Scandinavian-inspired 5-course and 7-course tasting menu with Phoenix Honey Orchid and Vanilla Black teas. Located in Great Scotland Yard Hotel, this partnership focuses on innovative tea pairings with dishes like bay leaf ice cream and honey mead. The Chef’s Table offers an exclusive dining experience for seven guests, showcasing exceptional culinary techniques.