2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show，CHICAGO，

CHICAGO (May 21, 2026) — More than 55,000 food service professionals, from 112 countries, gathered at McCormick Place from May 16-19 for the 2026 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, with overall attendance climbing nearly 4% over 2025 and growing across every segment. From first-time attendees discovering the floor to veteran operators evaluating the latest equipment, technology and menu solutions, the Show drew its broadest and most diverse audience in recent years. Approximately 2,300 exhibitors represented across 720,000 square feet of exhibit space, showcasing the latest in food, beverage, equipment and technology from 900+ product categories.

“Seeing this level of participation across every segment of the industry at the National Restaurant Association Show, including so many first-time attendees and the next generation of leaders, tells you something important about where food service is placing its trust,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Food service Group. “The conversations on the Show floor this year were serious and specific given the enhanced challenges the industry is facing. Operators weren't browsing; they came with real business challenges and evaluated solutions in real time. That is exactly what this Show is built for.”

2026 Show at a Glance

·        More than 55,000 food service professionals attended, and more than 15,000 organizations were represented

·        Restaurant/Food service operator attendees increased by 10% over 2025

·        First-timer attendance was up 8% over 2025

·        Gen Z attendance rose 23% year over year, reflecting the next generation of industry leadership arriving at the Show in force

·        Every attendee segment grew, including Restaurant/Foodservice, Dealer/Distributor, Lodging, Retail and Affiliated

·        International attendance across key markets delivered double-digit percentage growth, including Brazil, Canada and Mexico

·        Approximately 2,300 exhibiting companies from 44 countries brought products, equipment and technology spanning more than 900 product categories

·        70% of exhibitors returned from prior years, reflecting continued confidence in the Show as a business platform

·        720,000 square feet of exhibit space, equal to more than 12 football fields, with 880+ companies exporting products

A Show Floor Centered on Real Business Solutions
From AI-assisted cooking equipment to guest-facing ordering technology and front-of-house solutions, the Show floor reflected an industry that has moved past debating its challenges and shifted into solving them. Exhibitors demonstrated systems for tracking costs and financial performance in real time, forecasting customer traffic, reducing repetitive labor demands and improving the guest experience from the moment of entry through payment. Decision-makers and buyers from across the industry evaluated solutions side by side, with senior leaders from operations, procurement and culinary teams engaging directly with exhibitors on the floor.

The Show floor also reflected how operators are thinking about the guest relationship differently. With 37% of American diners eating out less frequently than a year ago, restaurants are competing not just with each other, but with grocery, convenience and every other option absorbing discretionary food spending. Products and systems across the Show floor addressed that reality directly, designed to improve value perception, increase repeat visits and give operators better visibility into what is and is not working across their menus and service models.

A Taste of the States pavilion gave attendees direct access to regional American ingredients and specialty products, while the Global Food Expo, the Organic and Natural Pavilion and the Italian Pavilion of Wine, Spirits and Olive Oils brought international sourcing opportunities under one roof. Premium beverage concepts and globally influenced menu items drew consistent crowds as operators looked for ways to differentiate without adding operational complexity.

“The Show is incredible,” said Jonathan Bass, executive vice president of marketing and communications at Bellwether Coffee. “It brings together a lot of different organizations of all types and sizes across the foodservice industry. It's the largest event of its kind and a really great opportunity for us to meet folks that haven't heard about our technology.”

“As a first-time exhibitor, the experience has been incredible,” said Candace Wu, co-founder at Wonder Monday. “We have a predominantly online and retail business, and so this is our first time breaking into food service. If you are a brand that's looking to break into the industry, I definitely recommend this Show.”

Global Reach: Attendees and Exhibitors from Around the World
The Show’s ongoing global reach and influence across the foodservice industry continued this year with attendees representing 112 countries and verified international attendance increasing by 4% over 2025. Attendees covered six continents and the countries with the highest volume of participants included Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Taiwan, China, Japan, Honduras, and the United Kingdom.

The Show floor reflected this momentum, featuring 580 international exhibiting companies from 44 countries and more than 880 exhibitors actively exporting products and solutions worldwide. Attendees explored a dynamic mix of global flavors, innovations and business opportunities designed to support international growth and cross-border collaboration. Specialty Show floor pavilions showcased authentic ingredients and provided attendees with a broader view of emerging food service trends worldwide.

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 food service event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and food service 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.