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