Americas
Hooters files for bankruptcy
US restaurant chain Hooters of America has filed for bankruptcy in Texas. The chain – famed for its sports bar-style settings, iconic “Hooters Girls” waitresses in their matching uniforms, and its chicken wings – is attempting to settle its debts by selling the entirety if its company-owned restaurants to a group backed by its founders. The firm currently owns and operates 151 restaurants, while another 154 are operated by franchisees, primarily in the US. Hooters of America said that its restaurants will remain operational and open “in a business-as-usual manner” during the process. “Our renowned Hooters restaurants are here to stay,” said Sal Melilli, chief executive of Hooters of America. “Today’s announcement marks an important milestone in our efforts to reinforce Hooters’ financial foundation.”
McDonald’s surpasses Starbucks in global restaurant brand valuation
McDonald’s has been recognized as the world’s most valuable restaurant brand for the first time in nine years, according to a new “Restaurants 25 2025” report from valuation consultancy Brand Finance. Starbucks, which experienced a turbulent challenging 2024 that saw four straight quarters of same-store sales declines and a new CEO, was knocked off the top spot by The Golden Arches brand, which saw a 7% increase in its valuation to $40.5 billion.
KFC is the world’s third most valuable restaurant brand according to the report, increasing its value to $15.4 billion, while fourth placed Subway saw its brand value rise 12% in 2024 to $8.1 billion. American multinational chain Taco Bell saw its valuation fall by 3% to $6.9 billion, taking fifth place. All three brands retained their positions from the prior year. Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s, meanwhile, entered the top 10 on the list for the first time.
Asia Pacific
Marriott puts Indonesia portfolio into focus
Marriott International is set to add seven new properties across a range of brands in its portfolio in Indonesia later in 2025, with four of those on track to welcome guests in the second quarter of the year. Ramesh Jackson, regional vice president, Indonesia & Malaysia, Marriott International, said in a company statement that the openings will set “new benchmarks in hospitality, comfort, and authentic guest experiences” in Indonesia.
With the addition of the seven new hotels, Marriott International will have 84 hotels operating in Indonesia by the end of the year. Indonesia, said Jackson, is now home to Marriott’s second largest hotel portfolio in the Asia-Pacific region. “Our target is to operate 100 hotels (in Indonesia) in the next three years,” he said.
Escondido becomes Asia’s first-ever Michelin Star Mexican restaurant
Korean chef Jin Woo-bum, the 32-year-old owner-chef of Escondido, has seen his restaurant become the first Mexican restaurant in Asia to receive a Michelin star. Woo-bum moved to Mexico City in 2017, enrolling at Le Cordon Bleu Mexico. There, he won the Best Chef William Sonoma 2018 competition, before working at Pujol, the two-Michelin-star restaurant helmed by Enrique Olvera. Returning to Korea, Woo-bum launched the Molino Project, a culinary initiative to introduce authentic Mexican food to the nation.
Open since 2023, Escondido has now made history as the first Mexican restaurant in Asia to earn a Michelin star. The Michelin Guide Mexico was also launched in 2024, charting the global recognition of Mexican cuisine.
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
“Culinary dream” worth £90K on offer in UK Le Cordon Bleu 2025 competition
To mark its 130th anniversary, Le Cordon Bleu London has launched a special edition of its renowned annual scholarship competition. The landmark opportunity – now open for applications – offers aspiring chefs across the UK the chance to win a full scholarship and more worth over £90,000 to study the prestigious Grand Diplôme®. It includes exclusive industry experiences such as mentoring by celebrated chefs Michel Roux Jr. and Chris Galvin, a three-month internship at CORD Restaurant, and 12 months of accommodation in London. For the first time, two additional runner-up prizes will also be awarded.
LCB 2024 Scholarship Finalists with chef Karl Odell and chef Emil Minev
Winners announced in The Michelin Guide France 2025
Michelin has announced the 2025 restaurant selection of The Michelin Guide France, unveiled during the annual Michelin Guide Ceremony in Metz. This year’s ceremony saw two restaurants – Le Coquillage and Christopher Coutanceau – presented with its highest honor of Three Michelin stars, while there were also nine new Two-Star establishments, and 57 new One-Star awards.
Michael Jones
