National Restaurant Association Show Opens Applications for 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards: Industry Solutions in the Spotlight - Food & Beverage Magazine

"The numbers tell a stark story about today's food and beverage landscape. Nearly 95% of operators report that their customers have become more value-conscious, forcing restaurants to rethink their entire approach to pricing and service delivery. Meanwhile, dine-in visits have plummeted by 35%, while takeout and delivery orders have surged 34%: a dramatic shift that's reshaping how kitchens operate. Perhaps most telling is this statistic:"

"Perhaps most telling is this statistic: 52% of operators now prioritize reducing labor costs and improving productivity as their primary path to profitability, according to recent research from Nation's Restaurant News and Restaurant Business. This isn't just about cutting expenses: it's about survival in an industry where margins were already razor-thin before the recent economic pressures. For over 20 years, the Kitchen Innovations Awards have been the catalyst for transformative solutions that redefine how operators manage their businesses,"

""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 gues"

Restaurant operators face rising costs, persistent workforce shortages, and increasingly value-conscious customers, forcing major operational changes. Dine-in visits have fallen 35% while takeout and delivery orders have risen 34%, shifting kitchen priorities and workflows. Nearly 95% of operators report heightened customer price sensitivity, prompting reevaluation of pricing and service models. Recent research shows 52% of operators now prioritize reducing labor costs and improving productivity as the primary route to profitability. The National Restaurant Association has opened applications for the 2026 Kitchen Innovations Awards to recognize equipment and technology that solve these operational challenges.

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