Event guide
Why this event is on the calendar
The National Restaurant Association Show ran May 16–19, 2026 at Chicago's McCormick Place. It is a large restaurant and foodservice marketplace: operators attend to see equipment, food, beverage, technology and service suppliers alongside an education program and chef or product demonstrations.
The event is useful as a record of what restaurant operators were evaluating in 2026, particularly where technology meets back-of-house, guest experience and labor. The organizer's show site and news channels document the edition; this archived page makes no claim about a later date, venue or program.
Who gets value from it
Restaurant owners and multi-unit operators, chefs, purchasing and operations leaders, foodservice distributors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers and hospitality investors.
How the day tends to work
The show-floor scale makes planning essential. Attendees typically build a supplier route, reserve time for education and demonstrations, and use the event to compare several solutions in the same category rather than rely on a single vendor meeting.
Prior-edition evidence
What past editions show
Plan with primary sources
Official links and follow-up
Organizer sources
Official social
Researched from organizer-owned sources. Programs and logistics can change, so confirm registration and venue details before booking travel.
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