12 original coffee shops redefining café culture
Gone are the days when coffee was just a drink ordered at a counter or on a terrace. Today, new concepts are emerging that put coffee at the heart of the customer experience rather than simply in a cup. Daniel During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, takes us on a global tour of emerging trends and spotlights 12 cafes with potential for MENA expansion.
Why creative concepts deserve fresh thinking
In a world of changing market dynamics and business models, perhaps the time has come to look differently at traditional franchisor–franchisee roles. Daniel G. During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, asks whether teamwork and togetherness, rather than a transactional approach, could provide a winning formula for emerging ventures.
Why all-round hospitality training needs a touch
Hospitality venues are stages where employees need to deliver captivating performances that wow guests and keep them coming back for more. The curtain is rising. Daniel During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, offers us front-row tickets to show-stopping insights on the attributes that set staff apart and help to deliver dramatic industry win-wins.
How Gen Z are upending the specialty coffee market
With their preferences for customized, visually attractive, eco-friendly, premium beverages, Gen Z are taking the coffee industry in a totally new direction. Daniel During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, considers the profound impact of Gen Z’s coffee habits on the broader industry and warns against overlooking them.
Dare to be different in franchising
It’s a fact that traditional franchising agreements often fall short of offering a genuine working partnership, weighted, instead, in favor of the franchisor. Daniel During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, challenges us to rethink our approach to franchising, with a focus on rewards rather than punishments.
What today’s luxury traveler wants
Environmentally aware, with a sense of responsibility,
and in search of one-of-a-kind experiences, the luxury travelers of today have very different ideas about what they want from their getaway. Daniel G. During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, explains why hotels need to embrace the new definition of luxury travel to successfully attract the guests they have in mind.
How to go the extra green mile in hotel development
Today’s travelers are seeking sustainable experiences that align with their values, offering industry investors and developers the opportunity to implement eco-solutions that are truly innovative. Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, offers a definition of sustainable tourism which goes well beyond the dictionary versions and is one that the hospitality industry can’t afford to ignore.
Why the coffee value chain needs a major rethink
The need to find holistic, fair, sustainable solutions for the coffee industry is becoming increasingly urgent. Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, explains why the search for answers has to start with the farmers and not with the cup.
Risk vs. Reward: balancing the start-up scales
The challenges entrepreneurs face when launching a business are undoubtedly diverse and daunting. However, once the risks are understood and managed, they can be transformed into opportunities for growth and innovation, as Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, explains.



















The key to building a successful, multi-brand franchise portfolio
Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, shares his thoughts on what’s needed to create a winning formula for franchise concept expansion.