The Squadra Cocina group has inaugurated a new restaurant, Madonna, a "neighborhood pizzeria" in Uccle. The establishment, designed for neighbors, regulars, and all lovers of "real pizza," offers Neapolitan style in the traditional way.

Hard Rock International has informed us that management has not yet decided whether its last establishment in Belgium will survive the winter, amid rumors announcing a closure by the end of the month. A zombie company, in virtual bankruptcy since its inception, Hard Rock Cafe Belgium will continue to serve its customers "until further notice."

In its European offensive, the second largest coffee chain in China is opening a new commercial front in our country.

The end of an era on Rue des Bouchers: the famous Brussels restaurant "Chez Léon" came under French ownership this Monday. The establishment, founded in 1867 and owned by the Vanlancker family for six generations, was sold in its entirety to the Joulie group, specialists in Parisian brasseries.

By finalizing its alliance with the Breton cooperative Eureden, the Belgian group Greenyard is taking another strategic step in the French market. Becoming the majority shareholder of a new industrial entity, the global leader is strengthening its commercial presence in France.

The Belgian restaurant chain specializing in chicken is taking another step in its expansion. Belchicken, which has established itself in just a few years as a staple of the fast-casual dining scene, is opening its very first drive-thru restaurant in Aartselaar. This opening is part of a sustained growth strategy, aiming for 350 locations worldwide by 2030.

A little-known player in the West, but surpassing McDonald's or Starbucks in the number of points of sale worldwide (47,500+), this Chinese giant has just officially announced its entry into the American market.

Crowds gathered at the inauguration of the new Umamido in Antwerp. The Belgian chain, specializing in ramen, those delicious bowls of noodles from Japan, now has 16 international locations.

With the opening of its first café in Brussels, the Belgian healthy-food chain is not simply launching a new location but unveiling a new business model. Backed by Kharis Capital, the investor behind Burger King and Quick in Belgium, Foodmaker is structuring what could become a European standard for fast-good dining. A new kind of "third place," easily replicable because it is franchise-ready, whose driving force is the exact opposite of junk food.

The Brussels-based chain JeanBon, founded in 2016 by Jean Vandemoortele, continues its expansion with the opening of its eighth store in the heart of the capital. And not just any store. This new location marks a major milestone in the development of the chain, which has become a benchmark for lunch breaks in less than a decade.

ONE TO WATCH - The Jean. delicatessen in Lokeren has acquired the De Ryck confectionery in Temse, a historical supplier to hospitality professionals and specialty stores in the region.

The specialist in "Belgian spaghetti" has welcomed its first customers in its new restaurant established on the University of Antwerp's Drie Eiken campus.

Ventuno, a Chaineux-based company specializing in Italian coffee and professional solutions that promote barista art, has acquired its regional counterpart, Recsi, based in Alleur.

INTERVIEW - A flagship of the “farm-to-table” movement, the Brussels restaurant Tero seemed to be “so in tune with the zeitgeist.” Yet, the founders of the eponymous hospitality group have decided to close this venue. Co-founder Arthur Lhoist speaks candidly about this unexpected choice and shares the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey.

With the announcement on Wednesday of the closure of its Brussels restaurant, Belgian multi-service group Tero is walking away from one of its foundational pillars: sustainable, locally sourced dining rooted in the “farm-to-fork” philosophy. The move follows the shutdown of its Bierges location last year and signals a strategic shift – raising broader questions about the viability of such an idealistic model in the challenging hospitality sector.

GFS CONGRESS 2025 – Consolidation Ahead. A growing number of players are expected to disappear, brought down by fragile balance sheets and limited resilience to economic shocks. Yet the current environment is whetting the appetite of domestic giants and foreign funds alike, who are eager to seize opportunities for expansion.

The Ghent-based startup has acquired its main competitor in a strategic move to consolidate the highly fragmented ordering app market within the hospitality sector. Together, the two platforms now claim nearly 95% market share in Belgium.

The industrial movement is clearly "better-for-you", with major operations such as the acquisition of Poppi by PepsiCo illustrating a strong appetite for healthy and functional products.

The group aims to strengthen its position in the Utrecht urban region by integrating a recognized local player into its distribution network. Sligro Food Group announces the acquisition (for an unspecified amount) of GEPU Beheer BV, an independent wholesaler based in Utrecht. GEPU is active in food distribution for catering and professional customers, both in delivery and self-service. The family business, with 50 years of experience, is located within a 30 km radius of Utrec