Sector Pulse
Curated news from the HoReCa industry.
DK Agency Launched: Azerbaijan's First AI-Powered HoReCa Platform
DK Agency has officially started operations: Azerbaijan's first AI-powered HoReCa B2B platform, established for restaurant, cafe, hotel and catering operators. The goal is simple — to provide sector entrepreneurs with not estimates, but data and decision support.
Subway franchisee MTF Enterprises filed for bankruptcy protection
One of the largest **Subway** franchise operators in the US, **MTF Enterprises**, has filed for bankruptcy protection due to high-interest "commercial cash advance" loans. Burdened by a debt load with an annual financial cost exceeding 40 percent, the company initially closed six of its restaurants, with more closures expected.
OPEC Fund gave its first local currency loan in Azerbaijan.
The OPEC Fund announced a new financial initiative (V2V) for climate-vulnerable countries and a $1.5 billion Digital Transformation Action Plan at the 2026 Development Forum held in Vienna in June.
ADY Baku-Tbilisi train route cooperation potential with tourism companies
Passenger train services between Baku and Tbilisi resumed this May after a six-year break. **ADY** (Azerbaijan Railways) relaunched the route, and it was met with great interest from passengers.
Saudi Arabia opened a portal for foreign real estate ownership
The Real Estate General Authority (REGA) of Saudi Arabia has launched the "Saudi Properties" portal. The portal provides a formal digital channel for foreigners to purchase property in the country under the Foreign Real Estate Ownership Law, which comes into force in January 2026. Applications are fully electronic.
Yoga at Kızılkule: A new experience model for hotels
ANJELIK Downtown Boutique Hotel organized a yoga event at the historic Kizilkule tower on the occasion of World Yoga Day. The event provided guests with a unique morning experience combining history, sea view, and relaxation.
Airplane hotel: A unique room inside the forest in Costa Rica
In the Manuel Antonio region of Costa Rica, **Hotel Costa Verde** carried an unusable passenger plane into the forest and turned it into a unique living space. The interior of the plane is fully equipped, offering guests a different experience immersed in nature.
Lankaran Springs Wellness Resort supported the "YASAT" camp.
The first week of the 5th YASAT camp, co-organized by the YASAT Foundation and the ASAN Volunteers Organization, has concluded. The camp was partnered by **TABIA Group** and **Lankaran Springs Wellness Resort** hotel.
RCB's 1.78 billion dollar strategy: Lessons for HoReCa
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's CEO Rajesh Menon explains the team's consecutive championships and its valuation of 1.78 billion dollars after 18 years of failure through a complete restructuring of office operations. He states that structure comes from talent, brand from marketing, culture from results, community from monet
Baku-Shymkent direct flight strengthens tourism ties
The launch of direct flights between Baku and Shymkent has been announced. This will contribute to the development of tourism and economic relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
Robot barista surpasses humans: COFE+ 7th generation coffee machine sets a record
The 7th generation **COFE+** fully automatic robot coffee machine, produced by **Hi-Dolphin Robot Technology**, performed faster and more accurately than professional baristas in a competition held at the 2026 Shanghai Hongqiao International Coffee Culture Festival.
Family vacation expenses in the summer season – what does it mean for HoReCa?
With the start of the summer season, the number of families visiting tourism regions of Azerbaijan increases. During this period, information about the cost of family vacations is widely discussed. In particular, accommodation, food, and entertainment expenses in different regions are among the main factors affecting the family budget.
Transition from street foods to branded QSR in India: Example of Momo Nation Cafe
India's quick service restaurant (QSR) sector has been undergoing a major transformation over the last decade. Consumers are increasingly preferring organized brands that offer consistency, hygiene, accessibility and convenience over local street vendors. One of the brightest examples of this shift is momo k