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If you’re a restaurant owner, manager, or franchisor, attending restaurant conferences in 2025 is a great way to stay updated on the latest industry trends and strategies. We’ve gathered a selection of the top restaurant conferences in the U.S. for 2025, showcasing why these events are must-attends for anyone looking to stay competitive and grow their business.
Here is a list of the best restaurant conferences 2025 you should attend. To see our restaurant events 2024 list, click here.
*Please note that Solink may not be present or participating in these events. This information is provided for general knowledge and reference purposes only.
Who is Solink to the restaurant industry?
At Solink, our integrated video security platform pairs security footage with real-time business data, giving restaurants a comprehensive tool to enhance operations. Whether you’re managing a single store or a multi-location business, our system helps you monitor inventory, prevent theft, and ensure compliance with industry standards. By providing greater visibility and control, Solink empowers restaurants to optimize daily operations, protect profits, and drive business success.
What is a restaurant conference?
Restaurant events are held by many different organizations, from professional convention companies to individual brands and industry groups. They are places for professionals in the restaurant industry to come together for networking, business, and camaraderie.
What is it like at a restaurant convention?
Restaurant events are often big, loud, and busy. There is usually a full slate of keynotes, panel discussions, and speakers, a tradeshow floor, and many exhibitors host outside cocktail hours as a way to meet with peers, vendors, and suppliers in a fun and informal environment.
Why should you attend a restaurant trade show?
There is a lot of value to be gained by going to restaurant events in 2025. If you are a salesperson, you can often find yourself speaking with decision makers and upper management. Those looking for new vendors, business partners, or suppliers to manage rising costs can usually make great connections. New franchising opportunities are also sometimes available.
The innovative technology on display at some booths can be fun and informative to demo, while there is something to learn at every presentation, even for veterans of the restaurant industry.
What types of restaurant events are there?
The restaurant and hospitality industry is diverse, from quick service restaurants (QSR) to full service restaurants (FSR) and single location restaurateurs to chains with >10,000 locations. With that diversity comes many different needs. Aside from a few big restaurant events, it is impossible to have everything under one roof. That’s why restaurant conventions tend to have a specific theme and focus on only one part of the food business.
Here are just two of the restaurant event themes.
Technology expos
Restaurant technology is evolving rapidly as consumers change their service demands and food preferences. Outside ordering apps, for example, have gone from non-existent to a major revenue stream in under five years.
Large businesses are using the latest technologies to improve their customer experience, efficiency, and profitability. Small businesses are adopting the same technologies to compete on a more even playing field.
There are many restaurant events dedicated to showing off the newest restaurant technologies, with the most famous being MURTEC.
Brand-specific conferences
Since most major restaurant chains operate under a franchising model, either entirely or in addition to corporate locations, brand conferences are popular in the restaurant industry.
These events are hosted by the brand corporation so that all of their franchise partners can come together, learn from each other, hear from motivational speakers, and see what tools and services other franchise owners are using at their locations.
Several of the restaurant conventions mentioned below are brand-specific events.
List of restaurant events in 2025
Here is a list of US restaurant events in 2025. (If you are the host of a restaurant convention and don’t see it on this list, please contact us to have it added)
Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit
When: March 11-13
Where: Myrtle Beach, SC
About: Many of the fastest growing and most successful chains in the restaurant industry are embracing innovation throughout their operations. These forward-thinking brands are constantly looking for the next innovation — new technologies, new menu items, new marketing tactics, new training programs, etc. — that will propel them to even greater heights. At the Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit, executives from leading brands will share their success stories of the numerous ways they have innovated to grow their franchises. Attendees will gain insight and inspiration to help them be more progressive in every facet of their businesses.
New York Restaurant Show 2025
When: March 23-25
Where: Javits Convention Center, New York City
About: The New York Restaurant Show brings together world-class education with industry-influencing demonstrations. The Education Program provides the gold-standard, industry-leading educational content that is practical and relevant for today’s food service professionals. Industry leaders deliver real, applicable business lessons, the latest information on trends and best practices in the market, and their own opinions of what creates success in this 3-day education program.
Bar & Restaurant Expo
When: March 24-26
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
About: 13,000+ of the best in the business coming together to push boundaries, swap stories, and shape what’s next in hospitality. Whether you’re running 20 locations or hustling to get your first off the ground, Bar & Restaurant Expo is your space to find your edge and stay ahead of the pack.
Northwest Food Show
When: April 13 – 14
Where: Portland Expo Center
About: For over 60 years, the Northwest Food Show has been bringing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry buyers and sellers together in what is now the largest and best known business-to-business foodservice event in the Pacific Northwest.
Restaurant Leadership Conference
When: April 13 – 16
Where: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & SpaPhoenix, AZ
About: RLC is the home for restaurant executives to hone their leadership skills, discuss solutions to industry challenges, and connect with other senior leadership. Elevate your business presence at the Restaurant Leadership Conference (RLC). Serving as the central gathering for executives from leading chains and up-and-coming brands to connect and forge partnerships, RLC is the catalyst for business expansion.
Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America
When: April 28-May 1
Where: Indianapolis, Indiana
About: The Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America is a premier gathering for professionals in the beverage industry. This event provides attendees with access to product sourcing opportunities and educational sessions led by industry experts, covering everything from brewing methods to business management strategies. BrewExpo America, the event’s trade show, is one of the leading exhibitions for craft brewing.
Food On Demand Conference
When: May 5-7
Where: The Bellagio, Las Vegas
About: Food On Demand Conference offers insights from key restaurant and foodservice players in mobile ordering, native and third-party delivery, ghost kitchens, virtual restaurants, catering, AI, robotics and restaurant technology. Join for three days of networking and thought leadership, including strategies for increasing off-premises efficiency and adding incremental sales.
The National Restaurant Show
When: May 17-20
Where: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
About: Attend The National Restaurant Show from May 17–20, 2025, in Chicago to experience the largest gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western hemisphere. With unparalleled access to resources, insights, and networking opportunities, this event offers more than any other in the industry. It’s widely recognized as The Show for Foodservice for good reason.
The Table
When: July 8-10
Where: The Omni Louisville Hotel
About: The Table is the National Restaurant Association’s event created to help restaurant and foodservice businesses become resilient and thrive. From role-specific sessions designed to educate and meet your daily needs to general sessions looking to the future, this unique event brings together the industry for three days packed with practical and strategic insights.
California Restaurant Show 2025
When: August 3-5
Where: Anaheim Convention Center
About: Have the opportunity to join your peers in experiencing the hottest menu trends, state-of-the-art design and décor, and the best in business education, all while in the presence of hundreds of exhibitors in the restaurant, foodservice & hospitality community.
Prosper Forum
When: August 24-27
Where: Amelia Island, Florida
About: The Prosper Forum is an intentional community of diverse foodservice and hospitality influencers meeting together to discover, share and extract value. We believe that the more diverse perspectives there are at the proverbial table, the stronger our businesses will be and the more our communities will flourish.
QSR Evolution Conference
When: September 2-4
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
About: The QSR Evolution Conference is the only event that focuses solely on the needs of quick-service restaurant operators. At this unique event, attendees will hear and share perspectives on running the quick-service restaurant of the future.
FSTEC
When: September 14-16
Where: Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL
About: FSTEC is the leading technology-focused event for the restaurant and foodservice industry, bringing together innovators, decision-makers, and tech experts to explore the latest advancements shaping the future of dining. Whether it’s streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, or optimizing business data, FSTEC showcases cutting-edge solutions that drive growth and efficiency in the industry. With insightful sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and networking opportunities, FSTEC provides restaurant professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.
Maximize benefits from attending food shows
Maximizing the benefits of attending a restaurant convention or conference requires more than simply showing up—it’s about being proactive and strategic. Here are some tips to get the most out of these valuable industry events:
Plan Ahead: Review the event schedule in advance to identify the sessions, workshops, and keynote speakers most relevant to your business. Prioritize the ones that align with your goals, whether it’s improving operations, enhancing customer experience, or implementing new technology.
Network with Purpose: Conferences offer a unique opportunity to connect with industry peers, vendors, and thought leaders. Prepare by bringing plenty of business cards and practicing your elevator pitch. Don’t hesitate to engage in conversations, attend networking mixers, or schedule one-on-one meetings with key contacts you’d like to follow up with after the event.
Explore Vendor Solutions: Exhibitor booths and tech showcases provide insights into the latest tools, software, and services that can boost your restaurant’s performance. Take time to engage with vendors, ask questions, and see live demos to discover what can truly benefit your business.
Take Notes and Implement: Conferences can be information-packed, so take detailed notes during sessions. When you return, review these notes with your team to determine actionable steps. The real value comes from implementing the new strategies, technologies, or partnerships you’ve learned about.
By actively participating and being intentional with your time, you can leave the conference with valuable insights and connections that will drive your restaurant’s success forward.
