The Americas
DoorDash rolls out robot deliveries in LA and Chicago
DoorDash has teamed up with Coco Robotics to offer robot deliveries in Los Angeles and Chicago. The roll-out follows a successful pilot in Helsinki with Wolt ‒ DoorDash’s international arm ‒ and is part of the company’s push to develop a more sustainable, ‘multi-modal’ delivery platform. Nearly 600 merchants are participating and Coco’s AI-powered robocouriers, which look like small coolers on wheels, have already completed over 100,000 deliveries. DoorDash says the approach reduces costs and emissions, while improving the customer experience. However, we know from Amazon’s past experience, where residents filed more than 100 complaints about the company’s plan to expand its drone delivery program, that not everyone delights in robot delivery services.
Restaurant stocks jump after Trump pauses tariff hikes
US restaurant stocks surged after President Trump announced a 90-day pause on planned tariff increases for most countries, excluding China. Stocks of Bloomin’ Brands increased 15%, while Dine Brands and Brinker International saw growth of 11% and 9% respectively, Restaurantbusinessonline.com reported. While China faces new 125% tariffs, the pause eased fears of a $12bn cost to the foodservice industry, previously projected by the National Restaurant Association. The association believes that new tariffs will disrupt restaurant operations, with concerns ranging from rising takeaway packaging costs to the financing of new openings. The Trump administration now has 90 days to negotiate new trade deals before tariffs may resume.
Asia Pacific:
Grab adapts to rise of discovery-driven dining in Southeast Asia
As Southeast Asia’s food delivery market hits $15.1bn, Grab is shifting its focus from delivery to discovery, responding to users increasingly using its app not only to order food, but also to discover new restaurants and cuisines. One new feature is the app’s Dine Out Deals, which is designed to put restaurants in front of users who are researching options from home. Grab is also embedding AI to personalize recommendations and boost merchant visibility. Grab’s regional head Justin Halim said the future is no longer just about delivery; it lies in “being omnipresent end to end in the consumer’s dining journey… from being aware and being visible… to facilitating purchase, be that online or offline.”
‘North Korea-view Starbucks’ draws crowds to South Korea’s DMZ
A Starbucks with a direct view of North Korea is attracting thousands of visitors to South Korea’s Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Located at Aegibong Peace Ecological Park in Gimpo, just 1.4km from the North, the café sits on top of an observation deck offering views of North Korea, including apartment buildings once used for regime propaganda. Dubbed the “North Korea-view Starbucks,” it’s the only store in the restricted DMZ and requires ID checks to access. Since opening in late 2024, the site has seen a major tourism surge. Visitors have reflected that the setting highlights the peninsula’s divide, combining a peaceful coffee break with a powerful symbol of South Korea’s national security.
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA):
Marston’s announces UK hospitality’s largest rapid EV charging network
Marston’s announced this month that it now operates more rapid and ultra-fast EV chargers than any other UK hospitality business, with 459 chargers across 193 pubs. The rollout, which began in 2018, has powered over 100 million electric miles ‒ further than traveling from the Earth to the Sun ‒ and saved 18,700 tonnes of CO₂. Its most popular charging site, the Paisley Pear, has delivered nearly 1 million kWh alone ‒ enough to power the average UK home for approximately 85 years. In partnership with Osprey Charging Network, Marston’s plans to add 63 more chargepoints as part of its Net Zero 2040 strategy over 11 sites currently under construction or in development.
BII urges UK government to back pubs with action, not words
The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) has called for urgent government action to support UK pubs, warning that tax hikes are crippling the sector. A survey of BII’s 13,000 members found that over 80% expect April’s National Insurance, wage and business rate changes to negatively affect their business. Many plan to cut staff hours, reduce supplier spend or freeze recruitment in response. The BII says a meaningful VAT reduction is urgently needed and stresses pubs’ role in boosting local economies, employment and mental health. Its “Our Pub” campaign is rallying community support for fairer treatment.
Elly Earls
