CHICAGO (Sept. 24, 2025) — The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® today announced that applications are open for the 2026 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards, the foodservice industry’s gold standard for recognizing equipment and technology. Award recipients will be showcased at the 2026 Show, taking place May 16–19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

“For over 20 years, the Kitchen Innovations Awards have been the catalyst for transformative solutions that redefine how operators manage their businesses,” said Tom Cindric, president of exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group. “This year, as restaurants confront higher costs, workforce shortages, and evolving consumer demands, the KI Awards will highlight solutions that empower operators to enhance efficiency, boost profitability, and deliver exceptional guest experiences.”

Foodservice operators are navigating an era defined by rising expenses, shifting consumer expectations, and the sustained demand for takeout and delivery. Nearly 95% of operators say their customers are more value-conscious, while dine-in visits have declined 35% and takeout and delivery orders have risen 34%, according to the National Restaurant Association.

A recent report from Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business found that 52% of operators prioritize reducing labor costs and improving productivity to drive profitability. The KI Awards spotlight the solutions that directly address these needs, from AI-powered automation and robotics to integrated data systems and off-premise service innovations.

In addition to addressing industry challenges, the KI Awards provide recipients with tangible benefits that extend well beyond recognition. Recipients receive turnkey exhibit space in the high-traffic KI Showroom, extensive media promotion before and during the Show, inclusion in dedicated press events, five additional exhibitor badges, and use of the Kitchen Innovations logo for the lifetime of the product.

“To us [the KI Award] is affirming what we are doing is really helping the customer. It is a strong endorsement,” said Fengmin Dong, co-founder and CEO of Metafoodx, a 2025 KI Award recipient. “Being able to show customers what the system can do for them in person at the KI Showroom is invaluable.”

The 2026 KI Awards will be judged by a panel of respected leaders in foodservice operations, design, and consulting, including:

• Dan Bendall (Principal, FoodStrategy, Inc.)
• Lenny Condenzio (CEO Emeritus, Ricca Design Studios)
• Richard Eisenbarth, FCSI (President Emeritus, Cini-Little International)
• Cha Nye Farley (Director Facility Services, Cracker Barrel)
• Christine Guyott, FCSI (Principal, Rippe Associates)
• Frank Inoa (Vice President, Design, Engineering and Equipment Innovation, Inspire Brands)
• Jim Krueger, Jr., CMCE, NRAMF (Chief, Mission Feeding, Air Force and U.S. Space Force Judge)
• Juan Martinez, PhD, FCSI (Principal, Profitality Labor Guru)
• Alfred Spear (Manager, Food and Beverage Program Design and Development, Walt Disney World Resort)

Applications for the 2026 KI Awards are open through Dec. 10, 2025. Awardees will be announced in February, and recognized at the National Restaurant Association Show, May 16–19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago. For more information and to apply, visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com/home/kitchen-innovations-application.

For additional insights on the technology shaping foodservice operations, read the 2025 Restaurant Equipment & Technology Trends Report.

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 which 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, Bio Tech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, Construction. Visit www.informaconnect.com for more information.