Miscellaneous

🍴 Abby Lee will host a two-day culinary event at The Ritz-Carlton Langkawi on October 2-3, 2025. Her East London restaurant, Mambow, boasts a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The event will feature Peranakan dishes like otak otak prawn toast and Sarawak-style sea bass ceviche. Afternoon tea at Beach Grill includes traditional Malaysian kuih. Lee’s Hainanese chicken sando, made with pandan bread, will be available until year-end. The resort is set in a 10-million-year-old rainforest on Langkawi's southwest coast.

🍪 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, with over 550 locations across the U.S. and Canada, has been acquired by investment funds affiliated with Rhône, a global private equity firm. The executive team, led by CEO Chris Dull, remains unchanged. The brand recently generated over $1 billion in system-wide sales. The acquisition details remain undisclosed. Freddy’s continues to focus on delivering its signature steakburgers, frozen custard, and fries with exceptional hospitality.

🧀 Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, boasting over 550 locations, is now under Rhône's ownership, acquired from Thompson Street Capital Partners. The executive team remains unchanged, led by Chris Dull as President & CEO. Last year, the brand achieved system-wide sales surpassing $1 billion. Freddy's continues its commitment to offering quality steakburgers and custard treats. Acquisition terms remain undisclosed.

📑 Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor at Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality since August 2021. She joined Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, previously holding roles like Associate and Assistant Editor. Joanna earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and a master’s from CUNY. Her work appears in The New York Times, Forbes, and more. She’s known for covering restaurant industry news and innovations and has moderated events like MUFSO and Restaurants Rise.

🏡 Muswell Manor, a Grade II-listed building on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, is for sale at £1,800,000. It features a five-star B&B, a 16th-century bar, and a 47-unit caravan park. Notable for its aviation history, it was the site of the World’s First Aero Club in 1909, involving early aviators like the Wright Brothers. Owners Sharon and Terry Munns are retiring after nearly 30 years. The sale is managed by Markus Grun from Christie and Co.

🗺️ Ryan Bukstein, known for his work with Ace Hotel and Vacation, is launching a curated travel experience with Dam Dam's founders. This project, influenced by his passion for Japan, highlights collaboration and innovative thinking. Bukstein's firm, SMPL, continues to drive people-focused brand strategies. This initiative underscores the synergy between travel and clean beauty, enhancing both industries and offering unique experiences to participants.

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor since 1999 at Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality, also wrote for the New York Sun (2005–2008). His expertise includes food trends, French and Asian cuisines. Thorn's column won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Educated at Tufts University and Le Cordon Bleu, he worked for ABC News during the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. He lives in Brooklyn, NY, and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014.

📈 The August 2025 jobs report showed a sharp hiring slowdown with only 22,000 jobs added, compared to 491,000 in the first four months of the year. Unemployment hit a 13-month high at 4.3%. Leisure and hospitality added 28,000 roles, while government employment fell by 16,000. Consumer sentiment dropped over 14% from last year, impacting spending. The restaurant industry faces pressures from reduced visits, especially by lower-income consumers, and rising labor costs, now at 36.5% of sales for full-service operators.

☕ Holiday Inn Express and Costa Coffee have partnered to serve Costa's freshly brewed coffee at over 1,300 U.S. locations, aiming for a full rollout by early 2026. A survey by Suzy shows 61% of consumers believe coffee quality reflects hotel guest value. Justin Alexander from Holiday Inn Express emphasizes enhanced breakfast experiences, while Amy Daugherty of Costa Coffee highlights their commitment to quality and hospitality, aiming to create joyful moments for travelers.

🗺️ Advantage Travel Partnership welcomes The Vertical Group to its Advantage Managed Services (AMS). The Group, comprising Instant Holidays, Instant Breaks, Your Holiday Booking, and Holiday Elite, boasts a combined turnover of £110 million. This collaboration aligns with The Vertical Group's growth aspirations and AMS’s expertise in technology, operational support, and commercial strategies. Paul Nunn, COO, and Peter Healey, CEO, highlight the strategic benefits and growth potential of this partnership within the UK travel sector.