Your Guide to the Restaurant Show 2025
Check out our schedule and plan your visit to the National Restaurant Show in Chicago. Will we see you there?
Magic happens when you show up.
So many of our relationships are virtual these days, but an event like this week’s National Restaurant Show in Chicago gives us all a chance to make magic together in person.
We’ve been going to this huge show for years and this one is promising to be the best yet. Because of the people we plan to connect with on the show floor.
As my grandfather used to tell me: “Stay Curious, Get Involved, and Ask For Help.”
The National Restaurant Show lets you do all three of those things.
From May 17–20, 2025, thousands of us in the hospitality space will descend on Chicago to connect, learn, and discover the innovations shaping the future of our industry.
Me and my Cali BBQ Media team will be there in full force, recording Restaurant Influencers interviews on the podcast stage and helping amplify the voices of those who are building the future of restaurants — through technology, storytelling, and hospitality.
If you’re going we would love to see you. That’s why we’re publishing our schedule.
RESTAURANT SHOW SCHEDULE
With over 700,000 square feet of exhibits and more than 2,200 vendors, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
To help, we put together this Restaurant Technology guide to some of the most impactful brands you should check out while you're walking the Show floor.
Come by and watch us in action at the following times and places in McCormick Place.
Note: The Podcasting Stage is located near the National Restaurant Show ‘Welcome’ Sign and Starbucks. All times are in Central.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
9:30-11:30am — PEPSICO FOODSERVICE (Booth #3224): Cali BBQ Media content shoot and podcast recording.
10-10:30am — PODCAST STAGE: Pineapple Perspective w/ Troy Hooper.
10:30-11am — PODCAST STAGE: Fi$H Factor w/ Michael Ungaro.
11am-12pm — PODCAST STAGE: Room for Seconds w/ Gregg Majewski.
12-12:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Restaurant Influencers w/ Shawn Walchef, featuring Gregg Majewski.
1-1:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Restaurant365’s Behind the Numbers.
1:30pm-3pm — RESTAURANT365 (Booth #6027) Cali BBQ media content shoot.
3-3:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Fi$H Factor w/ Michael Ungaro.
3:30-4pm — PODCAST STAGE: Restaurant AI w/ Matt Wampler.
4-5pm — F3 TECH (Booth #6064): Come meet other restaurant technology leaders at this Rising Tides community meet-up. Samples from San Diablo Churros. Content shoot with Kickfin.
SUNDAY, MAY 18
9:30-11am — TOAST (Booth #3224): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
11-11:30am — RING (Booth #13300): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
11:30am-1:30pm — GREENER PASTURES CHICKEN (Booth #988): Restaurant Influencers interview with Von Miller. Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
12-12:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Digital Hospitality w/ Shawn Walchef, featuring Alex Racioppi of KitchenSync.
12:30-1pm — PODCAST STAGE: Digital Hospitality w/ Shawn Walchef, featuring Maria Zhang of Palona AI.
1-1:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Digital Hospitality w/ Shawn Walchef, featuring F3 Tech.
1:30pm-2pm — PODCAST STAGE: David ‘Rev’ Ciancio interviewing Shawn Walchef.
2-3pm — OVATION (Booth #5538): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
2-3pm — MARQII + GOOGLE (Booth #5522): Panel discussion with Marqii and Google about Business Profile Optimization.
3-3:30pm — MEEZ @ PRECITASTE (Booth #5536): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
3-3:30pm — BEAR ROBOTICS (Booth #6217): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
3:30-4:30pm — DAVO BY AVALARA (Booth #5662): Cali BBQ Media content shoot and Presentation + Q&A.
4-4:30pm — RESTAURANT365 (Booth #6027): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
4:30-5pm — COMMUNITY MEET-UP: Connect with peers by the big sign.
MONDAY, MAY 19
10-11:30am — POPMENU (Booth #3224): Cali BBQ Media content shoot and podcast recordings.
11:30am-12pm — TURBOCHEF (Booth #4200): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
12-12:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Fi$H Factor w/ Michael Ungaro.
12:30-1pm — PODCAST STAGE: Restaurant Influencers w/ Shawn Walchef, featuring Diane Hund of US Foods.
12:30-1pm — SHIPDAY (Booth #8916): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
1-1:30pm — PODCAST STAGE: Room for Seconds w/ Gregg Majewski, featuring Jon Taffer.
2-2:30pm — FIXE @ MARGINEDGE (Booth #6451): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
2:30-3pm — EZCATER (Booth #5657): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
3-3:30pm — FINTECH (Booth #6067): Cali BBQ Media content shoot.
3:30-4:30pm — SHOW FLOOR (Various Locations): Cali BBQ Media content shoot with Bill Oakley.
4:30-5pm — COMMUNITY MEET-UP: Connect with peers by the big sign.
6-7:30pm — MEEZ: Utility 2025 Event @ 1009 W Lake Street, Chicago.
6-7:30pm — F3 TECH: Industry Party @ 841 W Randolph Street, Chicago.
PRO TIP: Download the Restaurant Show App
✅ Plan your schedule
✅ Pin must-see booths
✅ Get the lay of the land fast and easy
BOOTHS TO VISIT:
Each of the brands below are making powerful moves to help restaurants streamline operations, grow sales, and stay ahead in a fast-changing world.
Here’s where to find them and why they matter.
Bear Robotics, Inc. – Booth #6217
Want to see robots in action? Bear is using AI and automation to take pressure off teams and enhance guest experiences. Don’t forget to check out their collaboration with Toast as well.
🔗 Website
DAVO by Avalara – Booth #5662
Sales tax automation might not sound sexy—but if you’ve ever missed a filing, you know why this Avalara product is a game changer.
🔗 Website
ezCater - Booth #5657
Grow and manage catering orders with an online marketplace from ezCater where millions order food for workplaces.
🔗 Website
F3 Technologies Inc. – Booth #6064
Hospitality-focused IT solutions that actually speak our language. If tech headaches slow you down, stop here.
🔗 Website
Fintech – Booth #6067
They help with automating alcohol invoice payments and compliance. If you deal with beverage vendors, you’ll want to learn more.
🔗 Website
Marqii – Booth #5522
Manage your listings, menus, and reviews all in one place. Built for restaurants, by people who get it.
🔗 Website
Ovation – Booth #5538
Real-time feedback that actually helps you recover guests and improve service. All with an actionable platform.
🔗 Website
PepsiCo Foodservice – Booth #3224
One of the biggest names in food and beverage is always innovating, like with the new Pepsi Local Eats platform for local restaurant partners and Pepsi Digital Lab.
🔗 Website
Popmenu – Booth #5670
If you want to grow revenue and your digital presence, Popmenu is a powerhouse. Menus, marketing, and more.
🔗 Website
Restaurant365 – Booth #6027
All-in-one operations software that’s helping restaurants run smarter — from accounting to payroll to inventory.
🔗 Website
Ring – Booth #13300
Security meets simplicity. See how Ring is helping restaurant operators keep their teams and spots safe with smart tech.
🔗 Website
Shipday – Booth #8916
Delivery without the third-party fees. Shipday makes direct delivery more profitable and efficient.
🔗 Website
Toast – Booth #3224
Toast is a game-changing point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.
🔗 Website
📲 Follow along for more coverage right here on the Restaurant Technology Substack newsletter and on @shawnpwalchef across social.
I love that you maximize every second. Make sure there is adequate rest and hydration!
Proud of the work you do for our industry.
Damn full schedule, see you soon in Chicago