Highlights from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show
There’s something about walking the floor of the National Restaurant Association Show that makes you feel like you’ve time-traveled five years into the future of hospitality. This year was no exception. From Cubs games and cocktail counters to THCs and tech, our EyeSpy crew had an unforgettable trip to Chicago. Here are a few of the innovations, connections, and memorable moments I couldn’t wait to share.
Let’s start with the shift that’s already changing drink menus everywhere: non-alcoholic beverages and THC-infused drinks. One standout vendor offered a ready-to-drink mocktail packed with electrolytes that mimics the feel of sipping a cocktail, without the alcohol. Think craft mocktails that don’t just check the box but deliver a premium experience. And yes, THC beverages are gaining traction fast. These aren’t fringe players anymore—they’re lining up alongside zero-proof options to meet growing demand across generations.
Our friends at Cool Attitudes brought the flavor. They’re producing incredible, ready-to-mix juices and craft cocktail bases that work just as well in mocktails. One of the best things I tasted all day? A ginger beer and pineapple juice blend—sounds simple, but it was magic. We’re already talking about incorporating their products for one-to-one cocktails at client locations.
From innovation to familiar faces, it was great running into our partners at Robot Coup, our go-to for mixers.
We were also happy to reconnect with the team at [me]. This bar tech system might look like a simple scale, but it does a lot more than measure ounces. It integrates with your POS, helps track inventory by pour, and can alert you to losses down to the shot. If you’re running a bar, this is the kind of precision that protects your bottom line.
And then there’s Harri, a hiring and scheduling platform that looks like it’s going to replace our current system. I met Blake Heynneman, who gave us a solid overview. Compared to what we’ve been using, this is like moving from a flip phone to a smartphone. I’ll be recommending it to clients looking for streamlined onboarding and labor solutions.
We also caught a phenomenal demo from SpotOn, a point-of-sale system that outshines Toast by miles. It’s intuitive, robust, and flexible—exactly what fast-moving restaurant operations need right now.
We also discovered a new alternative in the world of combi ovens—UNOX. Many of our EyeSpy clients (and even our own restaurants) know how frustrating it can be to deal with slow service or unresponsive vendors when it comes to essential kitchen equipment. UNOX offers high-tech combi and speed ovens with intelligent sensors, AI-driven controls, and energy-efficient systems. Their products are built for consistency and productivity, and they’ve already proven to be a reliable partner. I connected with rep Scott Turbeville at the show, and if you’re in the Bay Area, Sebastian Heil from UNOX is a great point of contact.
Another tool that really stood out was PrepWizard, a digital labeling system designed to simplify and streamline prep processes in your kitchen. It automates expiration labels, prep guides, and inventory organization, cutting down on labor hours and minimizing food waste. In a busy back-of-house, this is exactly the kind of tech that keeps you compliant and ahead of the game. If you’re still hand-labeling or wasting time calculating dates, PrepWizard could be a game changer.
Of course, no trip to Chicago would be complete without a little fun. Thanks to Shane and Dustin Lander from Hendrik Beverage Systems, we scored tickets to a Cubs game!
We also had the privilege of attending the comedy show at The Second City, This Too Shall Slap, which I would highly recommend for anyone going to Chicago. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen many!
In this photo: James Burdick of Momos; Shane and Dustin Lander from Hendrik Beverage Systems; Juan De Los Santos from Eyepy.
Later that evening, we wrapped things up at Virgin Hotels. We toasted the day with the EyeSpy crew and some industry friends. Being surrounded by people who live and breathe this business, and love it like we do, is what keeps me going.
In this photo: Scott Turbeville of UNOX, Dustin Lander of Henrik Systems and more!
– Mistie
