Miscellaneous

🍹 Ārepa teams up with Brix & Co. to produce its brain-drink range across New Zealand and Australia. The brand, inspired by neuroscience and Te Reo Māori, offers caffeine-free drinks designed for mental clarity and focus. While not miracle cures, they're part of the trend for functional beverages. The drinks, Uplift and Calm & Clarity, aim to rejuvenate the brain-tired, emphasizing health over stimulants.

☕ In 2025, 43% of surveyed individuals enjoyed espresso-based drinks weekly, a 6% increase since 2020. Those aged 25-39 are the biggest fans, with 55% consuming them weekly. Convenience stores are capitalizing on this trend, as 65% have tried specialty coffee at such stores, driven by speed (75%) and value. Promotions entice 65%, rising to 80% in the South. Popular coffee bundles include pastries (46%), breakfast sandwiches (42%), and fuel promotions (39%).

🥩 In 2024, 61% of consumers increased their protein intake, up from 48% in 2019. GLP-1 drugs spur this rise, as they lead users to prioritize high-protein foods. C-stores like SunStop, Weigel’s, and Alltown Fresh highlight protein offerings, driving sales of meat, cheese snacks, and protein drinks. Chillbox reports a 4% sales increase in meat snacks and 11% in protein bars from July 2024 to July 2025. Plant-based proteins, like pea protein, gain traction amid rising meat prices.

🏝️ Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives joins Global Hotel Alliance, the largest independent hotel network, enhancing global reach. The resort joins 950+ hotels in 100 countries, attracting 34 million GHA DISCOVERY members. This partnership boosts visibility and offers unique experiences like snorkeling excursions. Register by April 15, 2026, for exclusive benefits. The resort is renowned for its villas, dining, and wellness offerings. GHA DISCOVERY focuses on experiences over points, using DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) for rewards.

🎬 Dannii Minogue stars in a new film by the Hong Kong-based group's flagship brand. The film highlights the luxury and elegance associated with the brand, aiming to enhance its global appeal. Minogue, known as a "Langham Luminary," brings star power and a fresh face to the campaign, targeting both existing and new luxury clientele. The Hong Kong-based group aims to capture a wider audience by leveraging Minogue's international recognition and style.

💵 Revenue management is a balance between action and restraint, mirroring Shakespearean dilemmas. Pressure includes fears of empty or undervalued rooms. Risks involve holding, dropping, or doing nothing with prices. Effective managers embrace uncertainty, making informed, strategic decisions. The tragedy lies not in incorrect pricing but in decisions driven by fear. Great managers prioritize judgment and patience, transforming challenges into profit. Fabian Bartnick, a seasoned expert in commercial growth, advocates aligning sales, marketing, and data for success.

🍺 PATRÓN Paloma is crafted using PATRÓN Reposado, aged for at least four months and made from 100% Blue Weber Agave. This cocktail blends 40ml of PATRÓN Reposado, 10ml of lime juice, 20ml of grapefruit juice, and 75ml of grapefruit soda. Serve in a highball glass with ice and a grapefruit slice. Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Other offerings include PATRÓN Silver and PATRÓN Añejo, aged for at least 12 months.

💸 Students interested in the restaurant and hospitality industry can apply for the 2026-2027 National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation scholarships, offering nearly $1 million. Applications are open until March 15, 2026. Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000 for educational expenses. The foundation has awarded over 6,300 scholarships totaling $28 million in the past 38 years. The program includes various industry partners like Coca-Cola and Burger King Foundation, supporting education in 70 vocations across 88 schools.

💳 Android payment device specialist, Castles Technology, is aiding Loomis Pay's expansion in Europe, initially targeting Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Spain. Loomis Pay will deploy the S1F4 Pro, S1P2, and S1U2M4 devices, along with the CasHUB TMS and Marketplace. A successful Norwegian pilot saw deployments in 17 locations. Partnering with Finnish company Seitatech, the rollout took just a few months. Castles Technology emphasizes innovation and agility in their Android solutions.