Hospitality & Leisure

Plymouth – September 29, 2026 -- Haynes, a Massachusetts- and Rhode Island-based construction management firm, will begin a multi-level renovation of Hotel 1620, a boutique waterfront hotel in Plymouth operated by Linchris Hotel Corporation, starting in early November.

Renovation spans lobby, guestroom floors and hotel amenities

The scope includes a new main lobby and reception area, an adjoining work lounge, micro market, pub, pre-function corridor and public restrooms. On the first floor, Haynes will renovate the indoor pool cabana, event room, adjacent fitness corridor and additional restrooms. Work on the third and fourth floors will extend to elevator lobbies, carrying the design through the hotel's guestroom levels.

Memphis – September 29, 2026 -- Titan Fitness has launched Titan Fitness Commercial, a new division targeting organizations that build or upgrade strength training facilities, backing its equipment with a 10-year warranty on steel frames.

New commercial lineup targets high-traffic facility demands

The division introduces commercial-grade plate-loaded and selectorized strength machines, racks, benches, free weights and equipment storage engineered for heavy daily use. Titan Fitness Commercial will serve athletic performance facilities, schools, government facilities, commercial gyms, hotels and residential fitness centers.

Hollywood, Fla. – September 29, 2026 -- Hard Rock International was named Land-Based Operator of the Year at the 2026 Global Gaming Awards Americas in Las Vegas, marking the company's third win in this category. A panel of 100 senior industry executives determined the winners, with the voting process independently adjudicated by KPMG US.

Judges cite Canada and California expansions as key growth drivers

The award recognized Hard Rock's operational performance over the past 12 months, including the opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, the company's first fully integrated resort in Canada. Judges also pointed to continued progress at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon in Kern County, California, which completed Phase One of development in November 2025 and includes 150,000 square feet of gaming space located 90 minutes north of Los Angeles.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- UrVenue has won the 2027 Global Gaming Business Gaming & Technology Award for Best Consumer Service Technology, recognizing its Venue Management Software that converts hotel and casino amenities into bookable, revenue-generating inventory. The award will be presented during Global Gaming Expo (G2E), running Sept. 28 through Oct. 1 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas.

San Francisco – – September 29, 2026 -- U.S. restaurant and foodservice sales are projected to hit a record $1.55 trillion this year, a 4.8% increase from 2025, according to the National Restaurant Association, as OpenTable releases its first U.S. Restaurant Impact Report quantifying the sector's economic ripple effects. Dining at OpenTable restaurants rose 11% year-over-year, with average per-person spend up 3% to $60, based on OpenTable data covering July 2025 through June 2026.

Restaurant meals trigger $138 in additional nearby spending

60% of diners spend money at neighboring businesses before or after a meal, averaging $138 per visit, per a Ripple Research survey of 1,501 U.S. consumers conducted July 28–August 4, 2026. That figure climbs to $171 for Gen Z diners and $158 for Millennials, pointing to generational differences in local economic contribution.

Dallas – – September 29, 2026 -- Topgolf is replacing its legacy event menu with four new chef-driven buffet concepts and increasing buffet frequency to one station per 30 guests, up from one per 50, in its first major events-program update in recent years.

Four new buffet concepts replace fixed-price legacy menu

The new lineup includes Modern Mediterranean (build-your-own salad and bowl bar with chicken shawarma and grilled steak), Cantina Kitchen (a southwest taco and nacho bar with chicken tinga and fajita beef), Taste of Topgolf (sliders and Roman-crust pizza with vegetarian options) and Chef's Table, a premium entrée menu featuring beef tenderloin and herb salmon for executive events. Planners can add à la carte proteins, sliders, sides and whole pizzas, including gluten-friendly, vegan and vegetarian options.

Indianapolis – September 29, 2026 -- Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has signed Danish driver Christian Lundgaard to a multi-year contract to pilot the No. 9 PNC Bank Honda starting in 2027, adding a three-time INDYCAR winner to the winningest team in series history.

Lundgaard brings a career-best third-place championship finish to CGR's 2027 lineup

At 25 years old, Lundgaard has 16 podiums and 21 top-five finishes across 87 career INDYCAR starts. In 2026 he won at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course and Road America while securing his career-best third-place finish in the championship standings and his first oval podium. He joins teammates Alex Palou and Kyffin Simpson at CGR next season.

Parsippany, N.J. – September 29, 2026 -- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) said its Board of Directors approved a $400 million increase to the company's share repurchase authorization, expanding capital returned to shareholders.

Board cites cash-flow strength behind expanded buyback plan

President and CEO Geoff Ballotti said the increase reflects the Board's confidence in Wyndham's business model and its ability to generate significant cash flow. The program carries no termination date and can be suspended or discontinued at any time.

Repurchase execution remains flexible and market-dependent

Wyndham said the amount and timing of specific repurchases will depend on market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Buybacks may be executed through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions.

Las Vegas – September 29, 2026 -- IGT debuted Queen Video Slots at the 2026 Global Gaming Expo (G2E), a new casino game built on the legacy of rock band Queen and launched on the company's new Summit75 cabinet.

IGT partners with Sony Music subsidiary to license Queen catalog for slot game

IGT developed the title in collaboration with Ceremony of Roses, Queen's licensor and a global subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. The game features 10 Queen tracks, including "We are the Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody," and "Don't Stop Me Now," alongside photos and videos of all four original band members.

Game includes four bonuses and six jackpots to drive floor engagement

Queen Video Slots offers four content-rich bonus rounds and six jackpot tiers, positioned by IGT as a concert-like experience designed to capture both music fans and slot players on casino floors.

Las Vegas – September 28, 2026 -- Aristocrat Gaming secured three top honors at the Global Gaming Awards Americas, including Class 2 and Class 3 Land-Based Supplier of the Year and Slot of the Year for MONOPOLY Big Board Bucks.

Aristocrat extends eight-year winning streak in land-based supplier category

The company has now claimed the Class 3 Land-Based Supplier of the Year title for eight consecutive years and Slot of the Year for the same eighth-year streak. The Class 2 award marks the second straight year Aristocrat has topped that category.

CEO cites product performance as driver of repeat recognition

Craig Toner, CEO of Aristocrat Gaming, said the recognition reflects the company's focus on developing products and experiences that drive measurable performance outcomes for casino operators.