
Natl Restaurant 2027
Event Date
May 22–25, 2027
Location
Chicago, IL
Expected Exhibitors
1,498
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe National Restaurant Association Show is the leading B2B trade event for the U.S. restaurant and foodservice industry, bringing the entire ecosystem — operators, chefs, dealers, distributors, and suppliers — together each spring at McCormick Place in Chicago. Produced by the National Restaurant Association in partnership with Informa, the four-day event spotlights the latest in kitchen equipment, sustainable packaging, plant-based foods, beverages, and foodservice technology.
Attendees include qualified buyers from commercial chains and independents, non-commercial operators (schools, hospitals, military, senior living), retail and lodging professionals, and dealer/distributor partners — drawn from all 50 states and 124 countries. The show floor is paired with expert-led education, culinary demonstrations, keynote sessions, and dedicated zones for beverages and innovation.
For operators facing tighter margins, labor pressures, and rising guest expectations, the Show is a one-stop destination to compare solutions side-by-side, discover trending menu ideas, evaluate automation and efficiency tools, and forge in-person relationships that drive purchasing decisions for the year ahead.</p>
Show Highlights
- Expansive show floor organized into category pavilions covering equipment, technology, food and beverage, and more
- Keynote and Featured Sessions with industry leaders
- Culinary Demos from top chefs on multiple stages
- The Beverage Room Stage dedicated to beverage trends, programming, and tastings
- FABI Awards recognizing the most innovative new food and beverage products
- Kitchen Innovation Awards spotlighting breakthrough equipment and technology
- Education program and Workshops covering AI, automation, sustainability, menu trends, operations, and marketing
- Networking events including the International Reception, Networking & Meetups, Dinner Experiences, and Show After Party
- High School Visitation Program introducing the next generation to foodservice careers
- Show Tours and First-Time Attendee floor tours to help new visitors navigate the event
Attendance
The Show draws qualified foodservice buyers from all 50 U.S. states and 124 countries, spanning commercial chains, independent operators, non-commercial foodservice, retail, lodging, and the dealer/distributor channel. Specific attendance totals are not published on the official website.
Registration
Attendee badges are purchased online through the official registration portal linked from the Show website. Returning attendees can register directly, while prospective attendees can sign up to be notified when registration opens for the next edition. A Concierge-Level Badge is also offered for upgraded benefits. International attendees have a dedicated information hub on the official site, and pricing tiers are published on the Badge Pricing page closer to each Show.
- Visit the official Show website
- Choose Register Now (or Notify Me if registration is not yet open)
- Select your badge type — standard attendee or Concierge-Level
- Complete attendee details and payment
- Book lodging through the official Hotels & Travel partner for discounted rates and complimentary shuttle access
History
The National Restaurant Association Show is the long-running annual showcase of the National Restaurant Association, held each May in Chicago at McCormick Place. The event is currently produced in partnership with Informa Connect and convenes the global foodservice community across four days of exhibits, education, awards, and networking. Specific founding-year and historical milestone details are not stated on the official website.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Venue & Travel
Venue
McCormick Place
2301 S King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616
McCormick Place is a flagship convention center on Chicago's lakefront, purpose-built for large-scale conferences and exhibitions, offering expansive exhibit halls, versatile meeting spaces, advanced technical infrastructure, and on-site services, with convenient access to downtown hotels, airports, and public transportation. It is the largest convention center in North America. The Metra Electric line deposits riders directly on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse; internal walkways and shuttles help attendees move between the West Building and Lakeside Center; and food courts are available in each building. ENDO 2026 is held in the West Building.
Parking
McCormick Place operates several cashless parking lots:
- Lot A: $27 for up to 16 hours and $40 from 16 to 24 hours. Lot A is a six-level garage with 2,100 spaces adjacent to the West Building, and overnight parking is available in Lot A only.
- Lot B: a flat fee of $18 per day, with no in-and-out privileges.
- A limited number of prepaid guaranteed parking spaces are available at $40 per day via an Attendee & Exhibitor Parking Permit, which allows in-and-out privileges and guarantees a space even if lots fill.
Covered walkways from Lot A lead directly into McCormick Place, Wintrust Arena, Marriott Marquis, and the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
Getting There
The nearest major hub is Midway International Airport (MDW), about 20 minutes southwest, while O'Hare (ORD) is the primary international gateway roughly 45 minutes away.
Public transit:
- CTA Green Line (Cermak-McCormick Place station) exits onto a pedestrian bridge to the Grand Concourse, about a 5-minute walk to the West Building.
- Metra Electric from Millennium Station arrives at McCormick's South Building in about 7 minutes for $4.25.
Rideshare: Rideshare pickup zones (Gate 4 for South, Gate 40 for West) become congested when the show floor closes, so walking to the nearby Hyatt or Marriott to call a car can save time.
Nearby Hotels
Several hotels are within walking distance of McCormick Place, many connected by climate-controlled skybridges:
- Hyatt Regency McCormick Place — the closest hotel at about 0.1 miles, with a skybridge to the convention buildings.
- Marriott Marquis Chicago (about 0.4 miles) and Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Place (about 0.5 miles).
- The Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and Home2 Suites tri-plex are linked directly to the convention buildings via climate-controlled skybridges.
Additional downtown/South Loop options include the Hilton Chicago, Palmer House, and other hotels along Michigan Avenue. From Michigan Avenue hotels, riders can take the Green Line one stop south from Roosevelt to Cermak-McCormick Place or the Metra Electric directly to McCormick's South Building, each under 15 minutes. Official housing is arranged through Maritz.
Contact
Show Management
National Restaurant Association
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the next National Restaurant Association Show?
The next edition is scheduled for May 22-25, 2027 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, as listed on the official Show website.
Who should attend the National Restaurant Association Show?
The Show is designed for the entire foodservice ecosystem, including commercial restaurant chains and independents, non-commercial operators (schools, hospitals, military, senior living), retail and lodging foodservice, and dealers/distributors. Attendees come from all 50 states and 124 countries.
What can I expect to see on the show floor?
Exhibits span kitchen equipment, sustainable packaging, plant-based foods, beverages, and foodservice technology, plus dedicated features such as the FABI Awards, Kitchen Innovation Awards, culinary demos, and The Beverage Room Stage.
How do I register?
Registration is completed online through the official Show website. Attendees can select a standard badge or a Concierge-Level Badge, and prospective attendees can sign up to be notified when registration opens for the next edition.
How do I get to McCormick Place and where can I park?
McCormick Place is reachable by CTA and Metra Electric rail, GO Airport Express from O'Hare and Midway, Divvy bike-share, and complimentary shuttles for guests of official partner hotels. On-site parking can be purchased in advance, and discounted rates at downtown Millennium Parking Garages are typically offered to Show attendees via promo code.
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