A company named "Chipotle" appeared in the business database less than fifteen days ago, theoretically spicing up the competition among QSR in the Belgian market. However, the Tex-Mex restaurant chain has confirmed the alternative scenario anticipated by Gondola Foodservice: there is no connection between the two entities, other than an apparent conflict of intellectual property.

The name of this newly incorporated company in Antwerp naturally piques curiosity: Chipotle. Is the famous chain with 4,000 Mexican restaurants finally setting up shop in our country?

The Belgian healthy dining chain is reaching a new milestone in its international expansion. Its ultra-fresh ready meals are now appearing on the shelves of Billa supermarkets in Austria. For Foodmaker, this marks the fifth export market reached through its international distribution network.

Sysco, the leader in delivery to restaurants and institutions, announced the acquisition of Jetro Restaurant Depot this Monday. This operation marks the birth of an integrated giant capable of dominating both heavy logistics and direct sales to small independent businesses.

A month of March paced by openings for the concept of freshly prepared juices, coffees, and sandwiches born in Denmark. Driven by the ambitious goal of 1,000 shops worldwide by 2028 (+150%), the Joe & The Juice brand has inaugurated two new strategic locations in Brussels.

Exit the traditional yogurt-granola. Reboost Bar is riding the superfood trend to attract a clientele increasingly in search of a healthy lifestyle. On the menu of this new bar located on Rue du Bailli, in Brussels: açaí bowls, shakes enriched with probiotics, collagen, adaptogenic mushrooms, spirulina, and… even an LED mask.

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.