Today’s news in brief – 02/07/24

Euros and Father’s Day boosted beer sales by 18% in the week ended 22 June. The upswing also helped cause a 9% increase in total drinks sales compared with the same period last year, according to data from CGA. This marks a turnaround for the sector following four consecutive weeks of decline.

Hard Rock International appointed Eric Martino as president of its cafe division, which will make him responsible for almost 200 popular eateries around the world. Martino will also oversee Hard Rock’s retail division on a global scale. He will report to Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming.

The NTIA has called on politicians to fix the cultural divide to regain the sector’s trust, saying that political figures who “seem utterly out of touch with the fabric of contemporary society” are untrustworthy. This comes as the association maintains its stance that the hospitality industry is crucial to economic activity, innovation and cultural expression. 

Chef Alain Ducasse will continue his partnership with The Dorchester in London for a further five years. The restaurant, which holds three Michelin stars, with chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet at the helm, showcases Ducasse’s unique vision of contemporary French cuisine.