Kitchen Innovations Awards Applications Open

Applications are now open for the 2026 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Awards, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® announced. 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 percent of operators say their customers are more value-conscious, while dine-in visits have declined 35 percent and takeout and delivery orders have risen 34 percent, according to the National Restaurant Association. 

A recent report from Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Business found that 52 percent 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 December 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.