The 2024 Show floor was brimming with the latest innovations in foodservice—from equipment and technology to food, beverage, décor and more. After observing these trends firsthand, we've curated a list of the key ones that we believe will continue to influence the industry into 2025. Dive into our trend report and stay ahead of the curve as we move into the future of foodservice.

Our top trend picks from the 2024 Show include:

Functional Foods and Beverages

With health and wellness at the forefront, consumers are seeking products that offer more than just basic nutrition—they want functional benefits. This trend was front and center on the Show floor, where we saw Mush Foods’ 50 Cut Burger, which combines traditional animal proteins with mushroom mycelium, a sustainable ingredient that supports immune health. Another standout was Next Level Energy, an energy drink promising a "sustained, natural energy boost" through ingredients like green coffee, L-Theanine, L-Carnitine and B vitamins. Consumers now expect more than vague promises—they want specific, concrete benefits. Don’t miss the chance to emphasize these in your offerings.

Source: Why retailers should care about functional beverages (supermarketnews.com)

Data Collection and Optimization

Beyond the flashy tech displays, this year's Show highlighted a crucial unseen element: data. New or enhanced innovations from tech suppliers showcased how data collection and optimization can drive smarter decision-making across inventory management, employee scheduling and even menu planning. Notable examples include Toast Inc.’s benchmarking tool, which allows restaurants to compare their menu performance with similar establishments in the area, and Powerhouse Dynamics’ IoT solution, which enables users to set rules for operational and maintenance data notifications based on their priorities. Suppliers are clearly addressing operators’ growing demand for actionable, user-friendly data insights.

Source: How data has become the universal currency of restaurant tech (nrn.com)

Sustainability Technology

Sustainability continues to be a top priority for both consumers and operators, with tech companies developing innovative solutions to promote carbon footprint awareness and reduce food waste. Companies like Metafoodx and Supreme Source & Supply Co. showcased technologies that track food waste (Metafoodx) and packaging usage (Supreme Source & Supply) in real time. These tools provide valuable data (a recurring theme!) to help operators make informed sustainability decisions. Eco-friendly packaging and dinnerware were just the beginning—this is the future of foodservice sustainability.

Source: Sustainability Technology is trending at the Restaurant Show (nrn.com)

Boba

Finally, boba is experiencing a surge in popularity, driven by younger consumers and embraced by both beverage and food chains. Boba suppliers like Bossen had a "busy" Show, with their products meeting the demand for youth-friendly, globally inspired and social media-ready drinks and add-ons. Boba checks all these boxes, making it a trend that all operators should consider incorporating into their offerings.

Source: Non-alcoholic spirits and boba emerge as major beverage trends (nrn.com)