The National Restaurant Association Show® 2026 Returns to Chicago, May 16-19, Drawing Global Foodservice Operators in Search of New Flavors, Innovations, and Cost Efficiencies

CHICAGO (May 13, 2026) — The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show^Ⓡ returns to McCormick Place in Chicago, May 16-19, bringing together tens of thousands foodservice and hospitality sector professionals from around the world for four days of product discovery, networking, and business intelligence. More than 2,200 exhibitors will be on-site — 70% returning from last year — showcasing advanced equipment, technology, ingredients, off-premises dining innovations, and solutions for everything from point-of-sale to back-of-house. The floor will feature more than 550 international exhibitors from 45 countries and 650 companies making their Show debut.

For over a century, the Show has served as the annual gathering point and marketplace for the foodservice industry to discover emerging trends, sample new products, and build strategic partnerships. In 2026, it stands as the foodservice industry's defining annual event, serving independent and chain restaurants, non-commercial foodservice, retail, suppliers, and equipment dealers — from small businesses to industry leaders.

“The National Restaurant Association Show is where the foodservice industry comes together to see what is possible and make the decisions that move businesses forward,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice. “This year, attending is especially important for operators who are being asked to do more with greater precision. For four days, the Show gives them direct access to the products, people, insights, and ideas that can help them stay agile in a rapidly changing market.”

Recent industry research shows almost 90% of operators expect food costs to rise and labor costs to climb in 2026 — while 80% of consumers report “overall value for the money” as their top priority. As the industry faces these economic pressures, the Show presents a timely opportunity to source practical solutions and create more resilient menus. Attendees will also find ways to navigate and differentiate their operations amid the market’s other significant shifts, including changing consumer expectations and nutritional preferences, supplier consolidation, and growing grab-and-go culture.

Show Floor Highlights
All-Inclusive Marketplace: With a Show floor spanning over 700,000 square feet — the equivalent of more than 12 football fields — exhibits will feature innovations across 900+ product categories, including the newest AI-enabled equipment, automation solutions, global flavors, functional ingredients, beverage concepts, margin- and price-conscious menu ideas, and more. In just one trip, operators can find real-world answers to reduce costs and novel ideas to elevate the guest experience, boost efficiency, and drive demand. The breadth and depth represented allows foodservice professionals to compare the industry’s full spectrum of products, packaging, and technology; expand supplier networks; and find actionable ways to stay competitive.

“The National Restaurant Association Show is an opportunity for us to not only demonstrate how AI voice is changing restaurant operations, but to gather critical insights from the industry community,” said SoundHound AI SVP of Sales Ben Belletini. “Being able to shake hands with key merchant stakeholders to engage with them, frankly, just to build stronger relationships — this is a really a good forum for that.”

Keynote and Featured Session
2026 Keynote – A conversation with Andre Agassi: Tennis legend, Olympic gold medal winner, philanthropist, and education advocate Andre Agassi will share how the mindset of a champion applies far beyond the court on Sunday, May 17 at 1 p.m. Presented by FinTitan.

Technomic Featured Session: On Monday, May 18 at 1 p.m., “Get it While it’s Hot: Driving Demand with LTOs” will bring industry experts together to explore strategies for identifying top-selling limited-time offers and share tips on how to integrate LTOs into any business model — while keeping costs and execution in focus.

FABI & KI Awards
Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards: Now in its milestone 15th year, the FABI Awards return to celebrate the most innovative flavors shaping today’s menus and tomorrow’s trends. This year’s class of 28 recipients was selected for their remarkable creativity, menu-expanding potential, and culinary ingenuity — with 10 outstanding products earning the distinction of FABI Favorite. Attendees can experience these standout items in dedicated sessions:

• “Cooking Up Menu Magic with Award-Winning FABI Favorites” Demonstration:Featuring Becky Boyd and FABI judge Jay Smith, this lively demonstration showcasing our expert judges’ handpicked selection of FABI recipients will be held on Monday, May 18 at 10 a.m. at The Culinary Experience Stage (Lakeside, 12448).
• FABI Favorites Tasting: Sample this year’s FABI product lineup — and taste the future of food and beverage — on Monday, May 18 at 10:45 a.m. (immediately following demo) at The Culinary Experience (12448).
• FABI Awardees Tastings: Opportunities to sample award-winning products will be available on Saturday, May 16 at 1p.m. and Sunday, May 17 at 1:15 p.m.

Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards: The KI Awards honor 20 equipment solutions advancing automation, efficiency, safety, and sustainability. These awardees will be featured in the dedicated Kitchen Innovations Showroom (South Hall). Learn more about where the category is headed during:

• “The Future of Kitchen Equipment: Smart Technology, ROI, and Sustainability” Session: Operators can learn how to embrace new innovations during this special session on Saturday, May 16 at 3 p.m. at the Discovery Theater (South Hall, Booth 2693).

Culinary and Beverage Demos
James Beard Award winners and Michelin-star talent are among the celebrated chefs who will demonstrate their expertise and illuminate the latest industry trends in The Culinary Experience (Lakeside Center, Booth 12448). Attendees are invited to sample creations from this year’s lineup in the Tasting Zone and join book signings following select chef demos. Books will be available for purchase on-site.

“For my culinary demo,” said Chef Lamar Moore, “I’m most excited about telling a story through food. Every dish I create is rooted in technique, culture, and personal experience, and the Show gives me a platform to bring that to life in a dynamic way. I can’t wait to get people thinking differently about what’s possible on the plate.”

Top mixologists and beverage experts will also demo their innovative techniques, flavors, and trend insights on everything from boba in cocktails to craft beer on The Beverage Room Stage (Booth 13955). Foodservice professionals can sample master-crafted drinks and learn the latest strategies for creating a successful, sought-after beverage program.

The Culinary Experience is presented by Title Sponsor CJ Schwan’s.

Networking, Special Events, and New Features
The 2026 Show elevates the attendee experience with an expanded lineup of special events and features, creating more space for meaningful connections and unexpected discoveries. Highlights include:

• The Match Point Market: New in 2026, The Match Point Market (North Hall B2) will combine a pickleball court, networking space, and official Show Store in one interactive location. Attendees can join a pickup game, connect with industry professionals, and — for the first time this year — purchase official Show merchandise, including branded apparel and giftable items.
• Cross-Industry Networking: Attendees can connect with peers at the highly anticipated Restaurant Show After Party in a new location: Chicago’s iconic House of Blues, Monday, May 18, from 8 to 11 p.m. The Networking Event for Young Professionals (May 17 at 4 p.m., Discovery Theater, South Hall, Booth 2693); International Reception (May 16 at 5 p.m., Vista Ballroom, Room S406), and full schedule of special-interest meetups are designed to facilitate connection-building throughout the event. The Restaurant Show After Party is presented by Title Sponsor Shift4.
• Exclusive Culinary Experiences: For 2026, the Show will feature a series of Dinner Experiences, providing attendees an opportunity to enjoy a curated three-course menu and hear exclusive commentary from the chefs in an intimate setting.
• Expert-Led Show Floor Tours: These guided “See, Touch, Taste” tours offer a curated, immersive introduction to trending brands and noteworthy products across the Show floor, while sharing context on operational impact. (Note: Spots are limited and these popular tours fill quickly.)
• Plate Drop Prize Game: The Show’s popular Plate Drop Prize Game returns for a second year, along with a chance to win new prizes.

Enhanced Educational Programming
For the third year, Expo + Education badge holders gain access to 30 sessions led by operators and industry experts, as well as an exclusive networking session and on-demand post-Show content. The program advances attendees’ knowledge of timely, growth-focused topics organized into six tracks: Culinary Insights, Operations Solutions, Marketing Matters, Technology Strategies, Trends in Adult Beverage, and Workforce Management.

Show Resources and Tools
To help participants plan their time and personalize the experience, the Show offers several resources:

• Attendee Quiz: Answering a few questions helps attendees create a curated agenda tailored to their goals.
• The Show To Go Mobile App: Presented by FinTitan, the 2026 app features floor plans, session schedules, an exhibitor directory, and more to help participants navigate the Show. Available for Apple and Android devices.
• Press Room (South Building, S101b): Registered press are invited to use the Press Room for interviews, meetings, and story development.
• Social Media: Event updates and conversations are shared on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Official hashtag: #2026RestaurantShow.

For more information and to register, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com.

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 http://www.informaconnect.com/ for more information.