Exhibitors Return in Force at the National Restaurant Association Show 2026

CHICAGO (April 29, 2026) — More than 2,000 exhibitors will gather at McCormick Place from May 16–19 for the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, the Western Hemisphere's most influential foodservice event. With a significant and growing share of those companies returning from prior years, the 2026 Show floor brings together the products, suppliers, and hands-on programming that help operators and suppliers move their businesses forward.

“The decisions operators make today carry more weight across labor, cost, and menu performance,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group. “The Show gives them a way to compare suppliers, evaluate products, and stress-test those choices against real operating conditions. That kind of side-by-side evaluation is hard to replicate anywhere else.”

Supplier commitment to the Show has strengthened even as operators face rising cost pressure. Approximately 70% of companies on the floor are returning, up from 64% in 2025, with more than 500 international exhibitors participating from over 45 countries. Industry research shows 88% of operators expect food costs to rise in 2026 and 87% expect labor costs to climb, making the Show a more focused resource at a time when operators have less room for error.

“For us, this is the Super Bowl of shows,” said Rich Davis, president and CEO of CS Group, an exhibitor at the Show. “Nothing beats this in terms of exposure to the exact people we want to talk to. They're all here in one place, and they're coming for one reason.”

The Show draws decision-makers from across the foodservice industry, including operators, specifiers, dealers, distributors, and manufacturers from every segment, all looking for solutions across more than 900 product categories. Equipment built around automation and labor efficiency is prominent on the floor this year, including AI-integrated cooking systems, advanced technology designed for speed and efficiency, and energy-saving solutions that reduce long-term operating costs.

The Kitchen Innovations Awards, now in their 22nd year, recognize 20 equipment solutions on display at the KI Showroom in the South Hall, while the FABI Awards, marking their 15th anniversary, honor 28 food and beverage products, including 10 FABI Favorites, with tastings available throughout the Show. Both programs signal to operators that these products have been vetted by industry experts.

Spanning more than 12 football fields of exhibit space across equipment, technology, food, beverage, packaging, tableware and more, the floor is organized around curated pavilion destinations including A Taste of the States, the Global Food Expo, the Organic & Natural Pavilion, the TECH Pavilion, and The Beverage Room, giving attendees targeted pathways through each area. New for 2026, the Italian Pavilion of Wine, Spirits & Olive Oils, developed in collaboration with BolognaFiere Group, is located within Global Food Expo and brings a dedicated sourcing destination for operators exploring European beverage and ingredient options.

To help attendees navigate a floor of that scale, the Show will feature nine 70-minute tours in 2026, each highlighting must-see solutions within a specific hall. An interactive Discovery Theater showcase and sessions at the Innovation Theater give attendees additional ways to evaluate products and insights relevant to their operations.

Two of the Show's signature destinations offer dedicated programming for culinary and beverage professionals. The Beverage Room showcases leading suppliers, mixologists, and trending products for operators looking to build or expand their beverage programs. At the Beverage Room Stage, mixologists and beverage experts lead sessions on emerging trends including functional beverages, no and low proof cocktails, and strategies for building profitable beverage programs.

The Culinary Experience features live demos from acclaimed chefs including Rick Bayless, Sarah Grueneberg, Leah Cohen and Lamar Moore, with programming covering emerging menu trends, global flavors, and techniques operators can bring back to their own kitchens and menus. Select chefs will be available for book signings following their demonstrations, with books available for purchase on site. The Tasting Zone at the Culinary Experience offers attendees samples from live chef demonstrations and FABI Award-winning products.

Rounding out the 2026 Show experience, The Match Point Market in the North Hall brings together networking and Show community in an activation space combining pickleball with the official Show Store. Attendees can join a pickup game, connect with fellow industry professionals, and purchase official Show merchandise including branded apparel and giftable items.

Cindric added, “This is the Show the industry shows up for, year after year, because the value is real. For operators balancing cost pressure with service expectations, and for suppliers looking for direct access to decision-makers, the Show brings the industry into one place for four days of product evaluation, business conversations, and hands-on discovery.”

For more information and to register, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for event updates.

About The National Restaurant Association Show
Awarded by Trade Show Executive as the 2024 Gold 100 Grand winner of the largest trade show managed by an independent organizer, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere's most influential foodservice event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and foodservice professionals for four days of celebrity-led demos, exhibits, sampling, education, and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology, and solutions driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.

About Informa
Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more, and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products, and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide. 

Informa Connect is a content-led, live and on-demand experiences business that connects professionals with knowledge, ideas, and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connection through events, media, and research. They service a number of different industries including Foodservice, Finance, BioTech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, and Construction. Visit www.informaconnect.com for more information.