12 Restaurant Conferences to Explore Industry Trends in 2025
Restaurant conferences are a great place to network. But they are also a melting pot of insights and industry trends. For any hoteliers and chefs looking to stay ahead of the curve, or pick up a new tactic they can use to enhance their restaurant's repertoire, these are the best restaurant conferences to attend in 2025.
12 Best Restaurant Conferences Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best restaurant conferences I think are worth attending in 2025:
- Food & Drink Expo - Birmingham, UK (April 7-9, 2025)
- Restaurants Canada Show - Toronto, Canada (April 7-9, 2025)
- Restaurant Leadership Conference - Phoenix, AZ (Apr 13-16, 2025)
- 8th Annual Food on Demand Conference - Las Vegas, NV (May 5-7, 2025)
- National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago, IL (May 17-20, 2025)
- Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit 2025 - Lombard, IL (June 17-18, 2025)
- Texas Restaurant Show 2025 - Houston, TX (July 20-21, 2025)
- California Restaurant Show - Anaheim, CA (August 3-5, 2025)
- QSR Evolution Conference - Atlanta, GA (September 2-4, 2025)
- FSTEC (Food Service Technology) - Kissimmee, FL (September 14-16, 2025)
- Fast Casual Executive Summit - Austin, TX (October 5-7, 2025)
- Restaurant Finance & Development Conference (RFDC) - Las Vegas, NV (November 10-12, 2025)
Find more details about each conference below.
Overview of the Best Restaurant Conferences
1. Food & Drink Expo - Birmingham, UK (April 7-9, 2025)
- Dates: April 7-9, 2025
- Location: NEC Birmingham, UK
- Pricing: Free
- Website: Food & Drink Expo
- Social Media: LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Food & Drink Expo 2025 is an international restaurant event that unites the key sectors of the food and drink industry. It features suppliers with the latest innovations, thousands of visitors across co-located events, and five content stages for various industry segments.
Why you should attend:
The expo will have networking opportunities and valuable insights from expert-led seminars. It will feature various activities, including the coffee zone with innovative coffee products and trends and the future food zone for advancements in categories like keto, fermented and whole foods, CBD, and functional foods for healthier and more sustainable options. Keynote speakers include Adam Leyland, Editor-in-chief at The Grocer; Becky Raisewell-Bunn, Commercial Food Technologist Specialist at Air Product PLC; and Clare Bottle, Chief Executive at the UK Warehousing Association.
2. Restaurants Canada Show - Toronto, Canada (April 7-9, 2025)
- Dates: April 7-9, 2025
- Location: Enercare Centre, Toronto, Canada
- Pricing: Starts at $99
- Website: Restaurants Canada Show
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Restaurants Canada Show is a hub for restaurateurs, chefs, suppliers, and restaurant business owners to explore the latest trends, products, and solutions shaping hospitality. It’s a diverse mix of exhibits, live demonstrations, competitions, and keynote presentations from industry leaders.
Why you should attend:
The event will have exciting competitions, including pizza, latte art, cocktails, and morning culinary innovation, and an interactive hub to explore workshops, live demos, and new products that redefine industry standards. It will also host an exclusive after-hours event for informal networking opportunities. The conference stages will focus on issues that impact the industry, such as sustainability in food service, technology, adapting to a shifting consumer base, and culinary trends on plant-based foods and health-conscious menu development.
3. Restaurant Leadership Conference - Phoenix, AZ (April 13-16, 2025)
- Dates: April 13-16, 2025
- Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix, AZ
- Pricing: Invite-only
- Website: Restaurant Leadership Conference
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The conference is a gathering for restaurant industry executives. This four-day event focuses on enhancing leadership skills, addressing industry challenges, and fostering connections among senior restaurant leaders.
Why you should attend:
The conference will feature over 65 sessions led by over 100 industry experts, covering topics like leveraging artificial intelligence, enhancing cybersecurity, optimizing customer data, and forming strategic supplier partnerships. It will host the RLC Marketplace with over 160 exhibitors and sponsors showcasing the latest innovations and solutions in the restaurant industry, an award ceremony, and an exclusive session with Kevin Hochman, the 2025 Restaurant Leader of the Year and President & CEO of Brinker International.
4. 8th Annual Food on Demand Conference - Las Vegas, NV (May 5-7, 2025)
- Dates: May 5-7, 2025
- Location: The Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
- Pricing: Starts at $395
- Website: 8th Annual Food on Demand Conference
- Social Media: Facebook, X, Instagram
Overview:
The Food on Demand Conference is an event for professionals in the food delivery and off-premises sectors. It’s a three-day conference with networking opportunities and sessions on strategies to enhance off-premises efficiency and drive incremental sales.
Why you should attend:
This annual conference will host dedicated networking events to foster collaboration and technology showcases for live demonstrations of the latest advancements in robotics and AI-driven restaurant solutions. It will have hands-on workshops and panel discussions to explore practical strategies for improving operational efficiency and customer experience. Expected topics include ghost kitchens and virtual restaurants, optimizing mobile ordering and delivery systems, and sustainability and environmental concerns in delivery.
5. National Restaurant Association Show - Chicago, IL (May 17-20, 2025)
- Dates: May 17-20, 2025
- Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: National Restaurant Association Show
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
Overview:
The National Restaurant Association Show is the largest annual gathering of food service professionals in the Western Hemisphere. It brings together industry stakeholders to engage in educational content, product discovery, and networking opportunities.
Why you should attend:
This in-person event will hold on-floor programming and culinary and beverage demos so you can experience live demonstrations and gain valuable insights from chefs and mixologists. It will also have an expo and education program with over 45 operator-led sessions covering culinary and industry trends, supply chain innovation, workforce recruitment, and retention strategies. Topics to feature in the show include sustainability practices, menu innovation, tech trends in food service, and customer experience enhancements.
6. Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit 2025 - Lombard, IL (June 17-18, 2025)
- Dates: June 17-18, 2025
- Location: The Westin Chicago Lombard, IL
- Pricing: $795 + 13% service charge
- Website: Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit 2025
Overview:
The Digital Transformation in Fast Casual and QSR Summit brings together thought leaders and industry professionals to explore the latest advancements and strategies in digital transformation within the fast-casual and quick-service restaurant sectors.
Why you should attend:
The summit will focus on transformative topics like AI integration in menu personalization and enhancing kitchen operations through smart technologies. There will be keynote sessions on actionable insights on overcoming industry challenges, hands-on workshops that simulate actual tech implementation, live demos of advanced digital solutions, and interactive roundtable discussions. You can also engage in networking sessions and one-on-one consultations with solution providers.
7. Texas Restaurant Show 2025 - Houston, TX (July 20-21, 2025)
- Dates: July 20-21, 2025
- Location: George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
- Pricing: Free for TRA members; non-member registration is $75
- Website: Texas Restaurant Show 2025
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Texas Restaurant Show 2025 is a must-attend event for restaurateurs and food service professionals to stay ahead in the industry This annual conference and trade show is a platform to explore the latest trends, innovations, and business strategies that drive success in the restaurant industry.
Why you should attend:
The event will connect over 5,500 industry peers and more than 500 exhibitor booths showcasing advanced products and services. It will feature various activities, including educational sessions on culinary trends, innovative technologies, and effective restaurant business strategies. The anticipated event highlight is the Texas Restaurant Awards & Lone Star Bash with culinary showcases and a mixology competition.
8. California Restaurant Show - Anaheim, CA (August 3-5, 2025)
- Dates: August 3-5, 2025
- Location: Anaheim Convention Center, CA
- Website: California Restaurant Show
- Social Media: Facebook
Overview:
The California Restaurant Show is an annual conference and trade show that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and suppliers to showcase the latest trends, products, and strategies in the food service sector. It provides valuable insights and a platform to discover new business opportunities.
Why you should attend:
The event will explore the latest menu trends, state-of-the-art design and decor innovations, and business educational sessions. It will host the Pizza Tomorrow Summit Pavilion for everything related to the pizza market and the Culinary Innovation Theater for live culinary demonstrations and competitions with practical insights into current culinary techniques and industry trends. The education program will deliver industry-leading content that is both practical and relevant, with sessions led by seasoned professionals.
9. QSR Evolution Conference - Atlanta, GA (September 2-4, 2025)
- Dates: September 2-4, 2025
- Location: Atlanta Marriott Marquis, GA
- Website: QSR Evolution Conference
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The QSR Evolution Conference is a must-attend event for quick-service and fast-casual restaurant operators, executives, and industry experts. It equips attendees with the tools and knowledge to drive business success, address industry-specific challenges, and adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Why you should attend:
The conference will feature multiple breakout sessions focusing on labor and culture, technological innovations, and growth journeys in the fast-casual sector. There will be keynote addresses on strategies for scaling operations, workforce management, leadership development, as well as, technology in enhancing operations. There will also be a dedicated networking event for female industry leaders to connect and share best practices to support women’s advancement in the restaurant industry.
10. FSTEC (Food Service Technology) - Kissimmee, FL (September 14-16, 2025)
- Dates: September 14-16, 2025
- Location: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL
- Pricing: Register to see current pricing
- Website: FSTEC (Food Service Technology)
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The FSTEC 2025 is an engaging program featuring expert sessions focusing on the latest innovations and strategies to enhance operations, improve customer engagement, and stay ahead in a competitive market. It is for CIOs, restaurant operators, and industry professionals to reconnect with peers and build new business partnerships.
Why you should attend:
This in-person conference will have activities tailored for industry professionals, an expansive exhibit hall showcasing advanced and AI-powered solutions, and interactive workshops and live demonstrations with the latest tools in restaurant operations. There will be a thought-provoking panel and breakout sessions on loyalty program strategies, supply chain tech, and improving customer data management. Additionally, there will be dedicated receptions and themed social events for easier collaboration.
11. Fast Casual Executive Summit - Austin, TX (October 5-7, 2025)
- Dates: October 5-7, 2025
- Location: Austin, TX
- Pricing: Starts at $645
- Website: Fast Casual Executive Summit
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Fast Casual Executive Summit is an exclusive gathering for top-level restaurant executives and industry innovators. It focuses on the challenges and opportunities, emerging trends, operational strategies, and technology solutions for the fast-casual sector.
Why you should attend:
The summit will feature the Fast Casual Food Tours for insights into successful local fast-casual operations, The Perfect Pitch, where entrepreneurs present innovative concepts, and the Prove Your Case series for vendors and operators to introduce actual case studies, implementation, and ROI on products or services. It will also host collaborative sessions on pressing issues, keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Seminars will cover using technology for operational excellence, menu diversification strategies, and navigating legal challenges.
12. Restaurant Finance & Development Conference (RFDC) - Las Vegas, NV (November 10-12, 2025)
- Dates: November 10-12, 2025
- Location: The Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
- Website: Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
- Social Media: LinkedIn, X
Overview:
The Restaurant Finance & Development Conference (RFDC) is an annual event for restaurant owners and operators to deepen their understanding of the financial aspects of the restaurant industry. It explores actionable strategies to improve financial performance and drive business growth.
Why you should attend:
This premier event will focus on the business side of the restaurant industry, providing attendees with up-to-date insights into restaurant operations and capital markets. It will feature expert-led educational sessions covering financial strategies, economic trends, accounting practices, technology advancements, and strategic planning for restaurant operations. Last year’s keynote speakers included Katie Fogerty, CFO at Shake Shack; Andrew Pudalov, CEO of Rush Bowls; and Dana Zukofsky, Advisory Director at Aprio. pe.
Summary
These restaurant conferences offer invaluable strategies for adapting to changing consumer expectations and technological advancements. Join and explore how these innovations can be implemented in your own restaurant to stay ahead in a competitive industry. You can also attend more general hotel conferences, which may cover catering, events, property management, marketing, and more.
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