Miscellaneous

📈 At D-EDGE, 17,000 hotels benefit from an all-in-one platform optimizing distribution. Features include a powerful channel manager for direct and indirect distribution, premium connectivity with partners like Egencia and Booking, and support from an expert team to enhance GDS visibility. Hotels also gain access to preferential travel agency rates and resources, such as the Consortia Guide, for strategic partner selection.

🍗 Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King, will expand his restaurant portfolio by opening Flock & Fresh in winter 2025 or early 2026 at Dallas' Old Town Shopping Center. The 2,600 sq. ft. space will seat 42 inside and 42 on an open-air patio. Flock & Fresh will feature wellness dining with cage- and hormone-free chicken, and a variety of house-made sauces. Kim also opened Nuri Steakhouse ($20M) in August 2024 and JOA Grill in 2023.

🍽 Saudi Arabia's foodservice patronage has declined. Consumers prefer purchasing foodservice for regular meals, with Middle Eastern cuisine being the most popular by a significant margin. However, sauces for proteins are generally less appealing in Saudi Arabia compared to other countries.

💻 Tony Fernandez, CEO of MTech Mobility, and Richard Newman, Chief Strategy Officer at Scale Computing, discussed challenges in scaling restaurant technology. Fernandez compared the process to solving a Rubik’s Cube, emphasizing unique solutions. Newman highlighted cost control as crucial, warning about spiraling expenses. Tim Tang from Hughes advised ensuring technology offers clear value to franchisees. Newman further stressed the need for a stable, scalable infrastructure and cautioned against transactional vendor agreements that hinder growth.

🍴 Bret Thorn, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the Senior Food & Beverage Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999. He hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast and has a rich history in food journalism, including writing for The New York Sun (2005-2008). A Tufts University graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and in China. He contributed to the Oxford Encyclopedia and received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award. Thorn became a Disciple d'Escoffier in 2014.

🛢 Dad bought an old caboose used as a dog kennel for $5,000. It was moved to Deary and renovated with $40,000 over several months. Now, Car 306 boasts 90% occupancy at over $350 per night, attracting guests globally. This project, uniting a depot, car, and caboose, revives Idaho's railroad history. It's a testament to family collaboration and turning dreams into reality. Book now and get $100 off your stay!

🍱 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor for Nation’s Restaurant News, has been with the publication since 1999. He hosts the podcast "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" and previously wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008). Thorn graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University in 1990 and studied French cooking at Le Cordon Bleu in 1986. He has been a member of Phi Beta Kappa and won the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Journalism Award.

📑 Hospitality ON invites readers to explore the world of hospitality through expert insights. Membership offers access to exclusive content, job listings, and a comprehensive ecosystem. This opportunity provides industry professionals and enthusiasts with valuable resources and connections.

🏢 Charles Paiement highlights the stark contrast in student housing markets between Montreal and English Canada. With Montreal's 1.5–2 million residents and 250,000 students, a shortage persists, needing 60,000 more beds. Future plans include 597 rooms near Montreal and 120 downtown. International student numbers are impacted by geopolitical issues, yet American student interest grows. Their hospitality-like model, with services such as a 24/7 concierge, focuses on premium experiences over basic offerings.

🛫 Flight Centre UK launched its "This is Awkward" campaign to highlight its full-service travel offerings beyond flights. Running until September 10, 2025, the campaign spans digital, print, and radio, including Classic FM and Gold Radio. With 13 UK stores, the latest opened in North London in July 2025, Flight Centre seeks to boost its brand recognition. The campaign follows the new global tagline: "Your centre for travel" and precedes the "Not just a flight sale" from September 11 to October 1, 2025.