3 ways technology is transforming foodservice at NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show

Consumer expectations are changing every day, and the foodservice sector must change as well. New this year, NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, Jan. 14-16, will include more than 50 companies at the Foodservice Innovation Zone, including specialized activations.

The Foodservice Innovation Zone is located on Level 1 in the Special Events Hall at the Javits Center and open during Expo hours. All attendees with an All-Access Pass or Expo Pass can visit the Zone to learn more about the latest and greatest in foodservice.

Experience how innovation is transforming the center of the plate

If you’re hitting the 3 p.m. midday slump wondering what’s for dinner tonight — we’ve all been there! Your answer probably includes some type of protein, commonly referred to as “the center of the plate.” However, food habit trends, TikTok and technology continue to dramatically change what the average person’s “center of the plate” looks like in recent years. Lucky for our stomachs, technology is keeping up.

This year’s Foodservice Innovation Zone features companies helping food retailers get your center of the plate to you faster than ever. You’ll find robots delivering piping hot, fresh pizza in just a few minutes, multilingual menu translation technology, state-of-the-art ventless ovens and more.

Understand the technology behind faster, more efficient drive-thrus

There is nothing worse for a consumer than having to wait in line — which is why the emphasis on speed-of-service innovation is a focal point of this year’s Foodservice Innovation Zone. You’ll find technology that’s improving display menus to help drive higher sales and improve the customer experience, order accuracy and flow, drive-thru communications and timer systems, along with translation tech that makes it easier than ever to take accurate orders in any language and more.

Grab-and-go from autonomous merchandisers

The shift toward autonomous retailers has been accelerated by the rise of alternate payment methods (ApplePay, Venmo, Zelle), greater utilization of machines like self-guided kiosks, and COVID-19, which catapulted the industry toward frictionless payment. At the same time, 58% of retailers overwhelmingly say that quality/freshness is most important to their shoppers and 53% of retailers said convenience was the biggest advantage competitors had over supermarkets’ prepared food programs.

To that end, make sure you stop by the Foodservice Innovation Zone to experience autonomous retail merchandisers and the only refrigerated vending machine that uses robotics to autonomously restock fresh food. You’ll also experience a next-generation convenience store and see how retailers are looking at more modern, efficient ways to staff their stores and keep their shelves stocked, their food fresh and their establishments clean.

Interested in seeing the Foodservice Innovation Zone technologies in action? Register today for NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show, Jan. 14 –16 in New York City. And check out our NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show overview post to find out more about what you need to know about the event.

This unique exhibition is made possible by Fortinet, PepsiCo, Samsung and Shiftsmart.