National Restaurant Association Show

Tech Tracker: A host of new AI tools hit the market

By Joe Guszkowski on May 29, 2026

Springtime tends to bring new tech, and this year vendors are laser-focused on AI, from marketing agents to smart handhelds and more.

Marketing

How Applebee’s, Whataburger and Lettuce Entertain You approach LTOs

By Alicia Kelso on May 27, 2026

The concepts might have different operating models, but all of them rely heavily on consumer input to drive promotions.

Workforce

How restaurant operators can create better employee experiences

By Alicia Kelso on May 21, 2026

The industry is experiencing a workforce pinch amid a population decline, immigration policies and a more flexible gig economy.

Operations

What we liked, and what we didn’t, about the National Restaurant Association Show

By Jonathan Maze on May 20, 2026

New foods, ice cream and lots of cheese more than offset the painful feet, noisiness and apparent lack of pickleball playing time at this year’s event.

Food

5 food and drink trends spotted at the National Restaurant Show

By Patricia Cobe on May 20, 2026

Tastings at the booths of hundreds of exhibitors at the Show revealed some surprising discoveries along with variations of continuing trends.

Premium

Emerging Brands

Supreme Dumplings founder launches manufacturing plant to spread the joy of xiao long bao

By Lisa Jennings on May 19, 2026

Multi-concept operator Brandon Ting brought his soup dumplings to the National Restaurant Show with the goal of growing a wholesale and retail business.

Food

Why limited-time offers have skyrocketed since 2019

By Alicia Kelso on May 19, 2026

Most such launches in 2025 were in the beverage category, which create high-margin opportunities for operators.

Leadership

Chefs and innovators across the industry are honored at 29th annual MenuMasters celebration

By Patricia Cobe on May 17, 2026

Grant Achatz, Douglas Keane and six more culinary trailblazers were celebrated at the awards gala Saturday in Chicago.

Leadership

Andre Agassi's journey of resilience as he made peace with a sport he hated

By Lisa Jennings on May 17, 2026

At the National Restaurant Show, the tennis great shared an inspirational look back on a career of highs and lows, and how humility led to greater purpose. Also, he would like restaurants to have better acoustics.

Consumer Trends

How the restaurant industry is navigating a 'complex' consumer environment

By Alicia Kelso on May 16, 2026

Fogo de Chao and DineAmic Hospitality have adjusted their value offerings to strengthen non-celebration, weekday business.

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