NRA 2026: Robots, automation – and pizza

The 2026 National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago, the annual event for the foodservice and hospitality industry, featured over 2,200 exhibitors this year, including many innovations aiming to help operators automate foodservice through AI and other new tech designed to ultimately streamline operations and increase profits. While margins continue to remain tight for most restaurant businesses – according to the NRA, “As of November 2024, 53% of operators said their restaurant was still carrying debt that it accumulated since the beginning of the pandemic” – many now see investments in automation and other tech not as a fad, but essential tools for growth.

We spent a good portion of our time exploring all the new tech and one thing is clear: operators are increasingly looking to tech solutions to address labor shortages and operational inefficiencies to deliver better guest experiences. The next wave of restaurant innovation is centered on creating smarter, connected kitchens and leveraging new tech will be the differentiator in brands that scale and those that are left behind.

And robots! What would a foodservice tradeshow be without showcasing the next generation of robot technology merging automation and customer experience. Robotics in hospitality is quickly evolving from a novelty to operational necessity, with brands using technology to improve speed and consistency for monotonous operational tasks. Companies like Aniai demonstrated their new robotic grill series and Bear Robotics introduced their latest generation of autonomous delivery robots aimed for front-of-house operations. SoundHound AI and Richtech Robotics debuted their joint solution, an interactive, voice-enabled robotic system, showcasing how conversational AI, automation and hospitality are coming together to create operational efficiencies.

You will never go hungry at the NRA Show, as nearly every booth had some sort of delicious sample. We were on the hunt for a Chicago dog (you can take the girl out of Chicago…) but settled on a slice of wood-fired pizza along with a Jarritos and Eli’s Cheesecake for dessert.

We will be back next year (and we won’t eat breakfast so we can enjoy even more delicious food at all the booths)!