What is the NRA Show?
Each year, more than 58,000 foodservice and hospitality professionals from around the globe gather at the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show)—the largest and most influential foodservice event in the Western Hemisphere.
The 2026 edition will take place May 16–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Whether you are a restaurant owner, executive chef, procurement decision-maker, or foodservice technology provider, the NRA Show is an indispensable strategic platform to capture industry trends, evaluate cutting-edge solutions, and connect with global partners.
Founded in 1919 and hosted by the National Restaurant Association, this century-old event has long evolved beyond a mere product exposition into the definitive bellwether shaping the future of the foodservice industry.
2026 Show Essential Information
Show Dates
May 16 (Saturday) – May 19 (Tuesday), 2026
- May 16–18: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- May 19: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Venue
McCormick Place
2301 S. King Dr., Chicago, IL 60616
Show Size
More than 2,000 exhibitors spanning 900+ product categories, covering the entire industry chain—including food and beverage, kitchen equipment, restaurant technology, tableware, sanitation, and hotel supplies.
The Chowbus Booth (Lakeside Center, Booth 11512) is a must-visit destination in the Tech Pavilion.
Registration
Register online via the official show website.
National Restaurant Association members are eligible for complimentary Expo Only badges.
Already registered? We recommend adding Chowbus Booth (Booth 11512) to your "must-visit" list in advance on the official "The Show To Go" platform to efficiently experience our all-in-one intelligent restaurant POS system and AI-powered scheduling solutions on-site.
2026 Show Exclusive Highlights
Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards
Applications for the 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards closed on December 10, 2025.
Winners will be announced in February 2026.
Award Focus: Recognizing breakthrough equipment and technology innovations that directly address the most pressing challenges faced by foodservice operators—labor shortages, cost pressures, and operational inefficiencies.
This year's KI Awards explicitly spotlight AI-powered automation, robotics, integrated data systems, and off-premise service innovations.
Showcase Format: Award-winning products will be demonstrated live throughout the day in the KI Showroom, located in a high-traffic area of the exhibit hall. This is the premier destination to discover hard-tech solutions that can immediately enhance kitchen efficiency and optimize labor.
Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards
FABI Award-winning products will be prominently featured throughout the show floor.
This award recognizes food and beverage products that are breaking new ground in taste, creativity, and profit potential.
FABI Favorites: A select group of recipients designated by the judges as game-changing innovations that precisely address the multifaceted challenges today's operators face. These products receive additional exclusive tasting events and culinary demonstration opportunities.
Application Status: Submissions for the 2026 FABI Awards closed on January 21, 2026.
Winners will be announced in March 2026.
Three Key Industry Trends for 2026
Based on officially released information and industry research data, the 2026 NRA Show demonstrates a distinctly thematic focus:
1. Deep Technology Integration: Beyond Point Solutions
Simple QR code ordering or basic POS systems are no longer in the spotlight. The 2026 Tech Pavilion will showcase predictive, self-optimizing intelligent systems—capable of forecasting traffic based on historical sales, weather, and local events, and automatically generating purchase recommendations and scheduling plans. Integration and intelligence have become the core metrics for evaluating technology solutions.
2. Sustainability: From Concept to Calculable ROI
Environmental responsibility is no longer just a brand narrative. More exhibitors will present quantifiable carbon reduction data and cost savings—how much can a water-saving device save per year? What is the payback period for an energy-efficient oven? ROI is becoming the new language of green technology.
3. Talent Strategy Deepened: From Skills to Well-Being
The industry's focus on "people" has expanded beyond food safety training. The full rollout of ServSafe Workplace marks employee mental health, workplace harassment prevention, and inclusive culture building as core components of a restaurant's competitive edge. In today's persistently tight labor market, retaining talent and fostering a healthy workplace culture have become critical business imperatives.
Visit Chowbus Booth (#11512)
We cordially invite you to add Lakeside Center, Booth 11512, to your "must-visit" list. Here, you will experience firsthand our all-in-one intelligent restaurant POS system, purpose-built for modern foodservice operations:
Live Demo: Next-Gen Intelligent Restaurant POS
- Handheld Mobile POS: Servers take orders, split checks, and process payments tableside—seamlessly boosting table turnover.
- Omnichannel Order Aggregation: Unify dine-in, takeout, and third-party platform orders (DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc.) on a single interface—a 15% reduction in order errors is not just a slogan.
- AI-Powered Scheduling: The system predicts future labor needs based on historical traffic, weather, and local events, automatically generating optimized shift schedules.
- Multi-Unit Enterprise Reporting: Multi-location operators can monitor revenue, menu item performance, and inventory turnover across all stores in real time from one dashboard.
One-on-One Deep Dive with Product Experts
Our solutions consultants bring firsthand restaurant operations experience. Come prepared with your toughest questions:
- "My restaurant currently uses three delivery platforms—manual order entry is error-prone. How do you consolidate them?"
- "What are the architectural differences between a single-store setup and a five-store chain? What costs should I anticipate as I expand?"
On-Site Surprises
Throughout the show, the Chowbus booth will feature exclusive engagement activities and limited-edition giveaways. Stop by to uncover what's in store—we look forward to seeing you in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When and where is the 2026 NRA Show?
A1: The 2026 NRA Show is confirmed for May 16 (Saturday) through May 19 (Tuesday), 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Exhibit hall hours are
May 16–18: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
May 19: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Q2: Who is eligible to attend?
A2: The NRA Show is a professional trade event exclusively for foodservice, hospitality, and lodging industry professionals. It is not open to the public. Business credentials—such as a business card or tax ID number—are required for registration.
Q3: How do I register, and what are the costs?
A3: All attendees must register online via the official show website.
National Restaurant Association members are entitled to complimentary Expo Only badges. Non-members can purchase badges through the website; early-bird registration offers significant discounts.
Q4: How can I plan my show itinerary effectively?
A4: We strongly recommend using the official "The Show To Go" interactive digital platform. You can:
- Filter exhibitors by pavilion (e.g., Tech Pavilion, KI Showroom) or solution keywords (e.g., "AI ordering," "sustainability").
- Bookmark "must-visit" targets in advance.
- Organizers recommend at least two full days to adequately explore the show.
Q5: Can I get ServSafe certified on-site?
A5: While full 8-hour certification courses are rarely held on-site, the show offers numerous educational sessions and resources to help you register for online training or locate a local proctor. In 2026, ServSafe has expanded to ServSafe Workplace, adding new content on employee mental health and workplace harassment prevention.
Q6: Where is the Chowbus booth?
A6: Chowbus is located at Lakeside Center, Booth 11512. Come experience our next-generation intelligent restaurant POS system and meet our expert team face-to-face.
About ChowbusChowbus is a technology service provider offering an integrated ecosystem that includes POS solutions, delivery integration, and AI-powered tools for restaurants across North America.
For more information or to sign up, click here.
Media Contact
Company Name: Chowbus, Inc
Contact Person: Mkt Dept
Address:224 S Michigan Ave, Suite 400
City: Chicago
State: Illinois 60604
Country: United States
Website: https://www.chowbus.com/
