What I Learned at the 2025 National Restaurant Show—and Why You Should Attend Restaurant Shows
- Orama Digital Design
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Vasilios Sinagridis • Founder + CEO, Orama Business Solutions
May 27, 2025 • 4 min read
2025 National Restaurant Association Foodshow
Each year, thousands of restaurant professionals from around the country gather in Chicago for the National Restaurant Show—the largest and most influential foodservice event in the U.S. This year’s show didn’t disappoint. It was packed with groundbreaking products, trend-spotting opportunities, and hands-on learning that every restaurant owner and operator can benefit from.
From my days as a restaurant operator, I’ve been attending industry shows like this to learn, network, and be inspired, but it doesn’t stop there. Year over year, many trends seem to stay the same, but many more seem to be changing, particularly in the digital + tech space.
Whether you missed the event or have never been before, I’m here to share why these shows are so valuable—and the key insights I brought back to help you future-proof your restaurant.
Why Attending Food Shows Like This Matters
In a fast-paced, ever-changing industry, staying informed is no longer optional—it’s essential. Here’s why making time to attend shows like the National Restaurant Show can be a game-changer:
Spot Trends Early: Get firsthand exposure to emerging food trends, new technology, and evolving consumer behaviors.
Connect With Industry Leaders: Network with chefs, suppliers, tech developers, and operators all in one place.
Test and Compare Tools: From kitchen equipment to POS systems, see and try the latest innovations before investing.
Learn From Experts: Access practical strategies during sessions led by industry veterans.
Recharge Your Passion: Step away from the daily grind and return with fresh inspiration and ideas.
But don’t just take my word for it—let me walk you through the real insights I took home from the 2025 show.
🔥 Here are 15 Food & Beverage Trends You Need to Know
1. Plant-Based Evolves: Forget imitation meat—this year was all about whole-ingredient plant-based dishes like jackfruit sliders, mushroom shawarma, and beetroot burgers.
2. Global Flavors on the Rise: Operators are bringing bold, cross-cultural mashups to menus. Filipino BBQ, Korean-Mexican tacos, and Mediterranean street food were standout favorites.
3. Functional Beverages Are Booming: Probiotic sodas, adaptogen lattes, and CBD-infused teas are carving out space on beverage menus—ideal for health-conscious diners.
⚙️ Smart Tech for Smarter Operations
4. AI in the Kitchen: AI-powered fryers and ovens that self-adjust based on food input are reducing labor needs and food waste.
5. Digital Inventory Tools: New platforms can predict your next order, minimize waste, and streamline supply chain headaches.
6. Robots Are Real: Yes, we saw robots acting as food runners and even greeters—some restaurants are already piloting these for front-of-house efficiency. The jury is still out, however, as the difference in flooring levels between FOH & BOH can cause these bots to trip over their own feet!
📣 Customer Engagement & Marketing Innovations
7. Short-Form Video Sells: Workshops showed how restaurants are attracting local buzz with behind-the-scenes Reels, TikToks, and storytelling.
8. Smart Loyalty Systems: Loyalty is going digital with QR-based, POS-integrated rewards that capture customer data and build return visits.
9. Better Local SEO = More Foot Traffic: New tools and best practices for optimizing your restaurant’s Google presence were a hot topic—critical for local discovery.
🌱 Sustainability Is Now a Selling Point
10. Compostable & Edible Packaging: From seaweed wrappers to reusable delivery containers, sustainable options are more affordable and scalable than ever.
11. Zero-Waste Inspiration: Live demos showed how to turn kitchen scraps into profits—think carrot-top chimichurri or citrus peel syrups.
12. Measuring Your Carbon Impact: Several platforms now help restaurants calculate and reduce their environmental footprint—valuable for marketing and operations. Ever seen a storage container-turned-butcher shop?
🧠 Business, Staffing & Leadership Insights
13. Labor Solutions That Work: Flexible scheduling, professional development, and staff wellness initiatives are helping top restaurants retain talent.
14. Dynamic Pricing Models: More restaurants are experimenting with pricing based on time of day, demand, and cost trends—especially useful for delivery menus.
15. Lessons from Growing Brands: Franchise and multi-location owners shared how they scaled without sacrificing culture—key for anyone eyeing expansion.
Final Thoughts: Shared Knowledge is Key
Attending the 2025 National Restaurant Show was like getting a glimpse into the future of foodservice. Whether you’re a chef, owner, operator, or manager, these shows offer unparalleled opportunities to grow, evolve, and succeed.
If you didn’t make it this year, no worries—I’ve got your back. And if you'd like a more detailed breakdown of any specific topic above, let’s talk. I’m here to help you apply these insights to your business and stay ahead of the curve.
Maybe we can attend next year's show together - the more the merrier!
About The Author
Vasilios "Billy" Sinagridis is the founder and CEO of Orama Solutions Inc, a Florida-based agency specializing in digital and print solutions for restaurants.
He established the company in March 2020, leveraging his background in hospitality to create digital tools like QR menus and online ordering systems, assisting restaurants during the pandemic.
Under his leadership, Orama has grown into a seven-figure enterprise, offering a wide range of services to empower small businesses across the globe.
He has shared insights from his entrepreneurial journey on platforms like the Seven Figure Journey, Tampa Bay Creator & The Small Bizz Buzz, discussing strategies for building resilient teams, leveraging market trends, and creating exceptional customer experiences.