Aperture

🏨 BWH Hotels Italia & Malta reported growth in 2024, adding 14 new establishments totaling 817 rooms. After closing 2023 with €365 million in revenue, 4.5 million guest appearances, and 3 million roomnights, the 2024 year-to-date revenue per available room (RevPar) increased by 2.5% compared to 2023. New bookings are also on the rise for the next quarter. CEO Sara Digiesi emphasized the development plan's focus on added value for existing hotels and an upper-upscale WorldHotels offering, while Chief of Development Fabrizio Doria highlighted the brand's diverse portfolio and interest in lifestyle and upscale propositions.

🍹 Tommaso Pieri, owner of DUIT distillery in Coverciano, recently opened a new venue in Novoli, Florence, offering ready-to-drink cocktails and essentials for a home aperitivo experience. The shop features DUIT spirits including grappa, whisky, vermouth, gin, ratafia, and limoncello in 10 or 70 cl bottles, along with a variety of cocktail twists such as Negroni del Centenario and Italian Mule. The Novoli "aperitiveria" is the first of its kind in Florence, open from 11:00 to 13:30 and 14:30 to 20:00.

🥂 Quaglia, a historic company from Castelnuovo Don Bosco, Monferrato, will showcase at BCB - Bar Convent Berlin 2024, from October 14-16, at stand 18C19. The four-generation company, present in over 50 countries, offers a range of products including the Bèrto line of vermouth and liqueurs, Amari 1890, organic Elixir line, and 22-flavor Vintage line. Quaglia's Tenuta Sussambrino gins, Iris (Gold Award 2024), and Papavero (Silver Award 2024) were recognized at IWSC Awards. The new product, Ninebar coffee liqueur, won a silver at IWSC Awards 2024 and features in their campaign "The italian BUONISSIMO coffee liqueur".

☕ Starbucks opens its 5th store in Florence and the 44th in Italy, located in Via del Corso at the historical Palazzo Portinari Salviati, boasting 200 sqm of space with over 30 seats. Partnering with Percassi, the store creates 26 jobs, reflecting Florence's rich architectural heritage in its design and offering a full product range, including Pumpkin Spice Latte and seasonal Autumn drinks. CEO Matteo Morandi announces further growth plans in Italy. Store hours are daily from 7 am to 9 pm.

🍔 Burger King opens its third directly owned store in Varese province, located at Via C. Beccaria n. 35, Tradate, marking the 91st outlet in Italy. The new 414 square meter restaurant employs 25 staff, offers 126 indoor and 12 outdoor seats, features indoor and outdoor "Play King" play areas, free WiFi, two Drive-Thru windows, and Home Delivery service. Customers can order using a QR code or via Burger King's app to collect loyalty rewards. In 2023, Burger King expanded to 275 restaurants in Italy, with 34 new openings that year, catering to over 20 million Italians.

🍕 After featuring on Chef’s Table, Franco Pepe of "Pepe in Grani" became internationally famous. He will be in Paris on October 21 and 22 at the Sorì stand during Sial, the global food exhibition. Pepe presents his iconic "Margherita sbagliata" pizza. Sorì, a dairy company from Caserta, exports high-quality cheese to over 58 countries including the US, Japan, Australia, South America, the Arab states, and the Middle East.

🏠 Garibaldi Hotels expands to Matera with the management of Dimora del Monaco, adding to its 13-property portfolio which includes resorts, clubs, hotels, and historical residences. The new addition features 23 modernly designed rooms, a restaurant, private parking, and is built with eco-sustainability in mind. CEO Egidio Ventimiglia highlights the personal significance of the expansion and the brand's development, while General Manager Fabrizio Prete focuses on creating synergies with other properties like Hilton Garden Inn Lecce and Dimora Sant’Anna di Carovigno. After a positive summer season showing a 15% revenue increase in Sicily, 7-8% in Sardinia, and over 10% in mountain areas, the hotel group aims to grow further in Italy and with foreign markets, expecting a new structure in Rome by 2025.

🏥 Uvet Hotels, led by Luca Patanè, expands with eight new properties, reaching a total of eleven. The hotels opening between this winter and next spring include Hotel Piccolo in Portofino, Royal in Positano, Palumbalza in Porto Rotondo, Alaska in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Hotel Les Jumeaux in Courmayeur, Miramonti in Corvara, Ca’ Zusto and Hotel Giudecca in Venice. These additions bring Uvet's portfolio to over 770 rooms worldwide and maintain an existing staff of over 200 people.

🍴 In Rome's Balduina zone, the restaurant Briseide, founded by Alessio Severini, Sabatino Mancini, and executive chef Andrea Dolciotti, opens at Piazzale delle Medaglie d’Oro. The dining room seats about 40, with another 20 places outside. The menu, centered on charcoal-grilled dishes, offers a variety of fish from Fiumicino, Terracina, and Anzio auctions, plus meat and vegetarian options. There are three tasting menus priced at €48, €55, and €58, excluding drinks. Briseide operates Monday-Saturday from 12:30-15:30 and 19:00-23:00, and Sundays for lunch.

🏠 Autentico Hospitality acquires its 20th property, the historic Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples, with origins dating back to 1870. The hotel boasts 67 rooms and suites, having hosted famous guests like Virginia Woolf, Oscar Wilde, and Richard Louise Stevenson. The inclusion of Grand Hotel Parker's, renowned for the George Restaurant's culinary excellence, marks a significant milestone for the company, highlighting its commitment to hospitality innovation and personalized service, as stated by CEO and co-founder Mario Cardone.