Key Insights: What We Heard at the National Restaurant Association Show 2025

Event: National Restaurant Association Show 2025
Dates: May 17 – 20, 2025
Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
Industry Focus: Hospitality, Franchising, Food & Beverage, Restaurant Operations
Takeaway: Hospitality leaders are looking for simplified, mobile-first solutions that unify training, compliance, and operational management.

The Operandio team was thrilled to be part of the National Restaurant Awards 2025, where we connected with franchise operators, hospitality leaders, and tech providers. 

From mobile-first training tools to all-in-one operational platforms, here’s what we heard on the ground:

Digitization is No Longer Optional, It’s Urgent

Many of the operators we spoke to shared one common theme. They’ve been getting by without formal processes for training, compliance, and daily operations.

Whether it was an emerging franchise or an established restaurant chain, the desire to move away from spreadsheets and ad-hoc processes was strong. There is a growing appetite to digitize workflows, consolidate fragmented systems, and unlock visibility across multi-site operations.

Franchise Leaders Like Superchix & Tex’s Chicken Are Paving the Way

We had the opportunity to chat with a few of our standout customers, including Superchix and Tex’s Chicken. These growing brands are investing in structured franchise management tools that help them scale without compromising quality or consistency.

They’re embracing platforms like Operandio to streamline operations, standardize training, and drive accountability, all from a single, centralized system. Their commitment to building sustainable, tech-enabled franchises stood out as a significant trend among forward-thinking operators.

Mobile-First LMS Training Is a Must-Have

Operators are seeking modern Learning Management Systems that are designed for the realities of hospitality, both on the floor and mobile devices, and are ready to scale quickly. Our mobile-first LMS resonated with many businesses looking to onboard staff quickly, verify skills on the job, and ensure consistency across teams.

Hospitality Tech Is Fragmented But Doesn’t Have to Be

Many of the conversations at the show highlighted that many organizations are using fragmented systems that don’t communicate across many different operations. These systems beforming in silos result in wasted time, manual errors, and compliance risks.

The need for all-in-one solutions is more apparent than ever, and it’s precisely what Operandio is built for. By consolidating training, operations, and compliance into a single platform, we help businesses streamline their systems and enhance compliance. 

The U.S. Market Is Hungry for Scalable Solutions

Conversations with numerous people in the U.S. at the show showed us that the market is more than ready for scalable, all-in-one operational platforms.

Operators across the U.S., from fast-growing franchises to independent restaurant groups, are all looking to digitize. From training to compliance to daily checklists, many are using a patchwork of systems that slow down their teams and limit visibility.

Many people were ready for a single platform that could streamline operations across locations, reduce manual work, and help them grow with confidence.

Building Partnerships That Matter

Finally, it was exciting to meet not just operators but also potential partners across POS, rostering, and workforce management. These connections are crucial to building a more interconnected ecosystem that allows hospitality businesses to thrive.

At Operandio, we’re always looking to integrate with the tools our customers already use, making their workflows smoother.

Final Thoughts

The National Restaurant Awards 2025 made one thing clear. Hospitality businesses are ready to take their operations seriously. From franchise management to mobile training and compliance, companies are ready to digitize and consolidate, and Operandio is the perfect fit to help. 

Ready to take control of your restaurant operations? Let’s chat about how Operandio can help.

Book a live demo to see it in action.