Florida Restaurant Show
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About this event
Florida Restaurant Show (2026)
The Florida Restaurant Show is a business and industry event designed for restaurant professionals, operators, and foodservice stakeholders to discover new menu trends, connect with leading vendors, and participate in business education and training-focused programming. The event positions itself as an opportunity to join “thousands” of peers through a mix of market exposure, educational sessions, and onsite vendor engagement.
Event Dates
October 25–27, 2026
Co-location / Related Summit
The show is listed as co-located with The Pizza Tomorrow Summit. This pairing supports an expanded audience experience across restaurant operations, pizza concepts, and foodservice innovation.
Venue, City, and Country
Venue: Not specified in the provided official text.
City: Not specified in the provided official text.
Country: Not specified in the provided official text.
What Attendees Can Expect
- Menu and industry trends: The event highlights “hottest menu trends” as a core reason to attend.
- Business education: The official description emphasizes “best in business education,” indicating structured learning for restaurant operators and related decision-makers.
- Vendor marketplace: Attendees can expect “hundreds of leading vendors,” supporting product discovery and solution evaluation across foodservice categories.
- Education & workshop formats: The event includes an education program and references additional add-on workshops.
- Training workshops: The program mentions Restaurant Management 201 + 301 Workshops, signaling leadership and operational learning tracks.
- Competition programming: The show features a Sunshine Plate Challenge Arena and lists Competitions as part of the Education & Events section.
- Culinary demonstrations: The event also includes Culinary Demonstrations, supporting hands-on observation of techniques and offerings.
Event Type (Based on Official Website Positioning)
The Florida Restaurant Show functions as an industry trade show and operator-focused conference combining: vendor exhibition, education workshops, restaurant management training sessions, culinary demonstrations, and foodservice competitions.
How This Event Typically Supports Business Buyers
Because the event is built around operator education, vendor participation, menu innovation, and practical learning formats, it aligns best with attendees who evaluate solutions for restaurant operations—such as new products, service offerings, and training resources—while also staying current on trends and industry direction. The co-location with a pizza-focused summit further expands the relevance for pizza concepts, operators, and pizza-adjacent vendors.
Official Website Reference
Data sheet
Florida Restaurant Show – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: October 25–27, 2026
Location: Orlando, FL, United States | Orange County Convention Center
Event Status: Upcoming
Research Date: July 1, 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Florida Restaurant Show |
| Event Date | October 25–27, 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | Orange County Convention Center |
| City | Orlando |
| State / Region | Florida |
| Country | United States |
| Organizer | Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) |
| Official Event Website | floridarestaurantshow.com |
| Event Type | B2B trade show and education conference for restaurant and foodservice operators |
| Primary Category | Food & Beverages |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Hospitality; Business Services; Home & Office; Logistics & Transportation |
| Audience Reach | Regional with national buyer interest and some international supplier participation |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Low-to-medium. Official 2026 attendance number not published in the provided primary source content. |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect restaurant and foodservice operators with vendors, education, menu trends, new products, and business solutions. |
About the Event
The Florida Restaurant Show is an annual B2B trade show serving the restaurant and foodservice marketplace, with official 2026 messaging emphasizing menu trends, business education, and access to hundreds of vendors. The event is co-located with the Pizza Tomorrow Summit, which broadens the audience across operators, ingredient suppliers, equipment providers, and service partners.
The show matters because it brings together decision-makers responsible for purchasing, operations, menu development, sourcing, and business growth. For exhibitors and lead-generation teams, it is a practical sourcing and buyer-intelligence event where restaurant operators, distributors, hospitality leaders, and solution providers meet to evaluate products, compare vendors, and build commercial relationships.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurant operators | Independent restaurants, multi-unit groups, franchises, quick-service chains | Own purchasing, menu, and vendor selection decisions | Highest-value buyer segment for food, equipment, packaging, POS, and services |
| Hospitality procurement teams | Hotels, resorts, convention catering, entertainment venues | Source F&B, kitchen, facility, and guest-service inputs | Strong fit for suppliers with foodservice, equipment, and operational solutions |
| Distributors and wholesalers | Foodservice distributors, broadline distributors, specialty wholesalers | Buy for resale, distribution, and channel expansion | Key for supplier onboarding, line reviews, and channel partnerships |
| Importers and brand owners | Food brands, private label sellers, importers of ingredients and beverages | Evaluate product differentiation and sourcing economics | Useful for manufacturers and co-packers seeking distribution |
| Chefs and culinary leaders | Executive chefs, corporate chefs, culinary directors | Influence product selection, menu innovation, and trials | High relevance for ingredients, beverages, equipment, and prep solutions |
| Operations leaders | COO, VP Operations, regional operations managers | Drive efficiency, labor, compliance, and cost control decisions | Relevant for operational tech, staffing, logistics, and facility solutions |
| Purchasing and sourcing teams | Procurement managers, sourcing specialists, category managers | Compare vendors, negotiate pricing, and manage suppliers | Best audience for supplier qualification and account-based outreach |
| Technology and POS decision-makers | IT managers, systems directors, POS/eCommerce leads | Evaluate digital ordering, payments, back-office, and integrations | Relevant for restaurant technology, payment, and software vendors |
| Small business owners and franchisees | Single-unit owners, startup operators, franchise operators | Direct buying authority for core operating needs | Strong fit for accessible offers, financing, and bundled solutions |
| Industry associations and media | Trade media, state associations, culinary organizations | Influence reach, awareness, and partnership opportunities | Useful for PR, sponsorship, and thought-leadership campaigns |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando metro | High | Very high | Immediate host-market reach, especially hospitality and restaurant operators |
| Florida statewide | High | Very high | Core buyer base due to strong restaurant, tourism, and hospitality density |
| Southeast U.S. | Moderate to high | High | Includes nearby restaurant and distribution hubs across the region |
| National U.S. | Moderate | Medium | Attracts brands, suppliers, and multi-state operators with Florida growth interest |
| International | Limited to moderate | Medium | Most relevant for ingredient suppliers, equipment exporters, and cross-border sourcing |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Primary: Regional | Confirmed by show positioning | Florida-focused restaurant and hospitality audience, centered in Orlando |
| Secondary: National | Likely | The vendor mix and education program are likely to attract national brands and multi-state operators |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association | Association / organizer | Organizer and key ecosystem stakeholder for Florida hospitality businesses | frla.org | Leadership, partnerships, sponsorship, membership | Confirmed Government / Procurement Organization |
| Visit Orlando | Destination / venue ecosystem partner | Local tourism and hospitality demand engine | visitorlando.com | Partnerships, meetings, events, tourism sales | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Orange County Convention Center | Venue / buyer environment | Major venue stakeholder for event services, foodservice, and operations | occc.net | Operations, procurement, F&B, facilities | Confirmed Government / Procurement Organization |
| Darden Restaurants | Restaurant group | Large multi-brand restaurant operator with active sourcing needs | darden.com | Procurement, sourcing, category management, culinary | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Bloomin’ Brands | Restaurant group | Multi-unit operator with restaurant sourcing and operations needs | bloominbrands.com | Procurement, supply chain, operations, culinary | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Subway | QSR / franchise system | Franchise-driven sourcing, menu, and operations organization | subway.com | Franchise procurement, operations, supply chain | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Cracker Barrel | Restaurant / hospitality operator | High-volume foodservice purchasing and operations | crackerbarrel.com | Procurement, supply chain, operations, culinary | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| US Foods | Distributor | Foodservice distribution and channel partner opportunity | usfoods.com | Category management, sourcing, business development | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Sysco | Distributor | Large foodservice distributor with supplier and customer sourcing relevance | sysco.com | Procurement, category management, partnerships | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Performance Food Group | Distributor | Foodservice distribution and product sourcing | pfgc.com | Sourcing, category, sales, partnerships | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Golden Corral | Restaurant chain | High-volume buffet operator with sourcing needs | goldencorral.com | Procurement, operations, culinary, supply chain | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Shake Shack | Restaurant chain | Growth-focused operator with product and service sourcing needs | shakeshack.com | Procurement, product, operations, innovation | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Wendy’s | QSR / franchise system | Multi-unit QSR with national sourcing and franchise support needs | wendys.com | Procurement, supply chain, operations, category management | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chief Procurement Officer / VP Procurement | Procurement | C-level / VP | Owns sourcing strategy, supplier approval, and spend optimization |
| 2 | Director of Procurement / Strategic Sourcing Manager | Procurement / Supply Chain | Director / Manager | Evaluates vendors and leads category negotiations |
| 3 | Category Manager / Buyer | Purchasing | Manager | Direct product selection for food, equipment, packaging, and services |
| 4 | Supply Chain Director / Operations Director | Supply Chain / Operations | Director | Influences logistics, inventory, service levels, and vendor performance |
| 5 | Executive Chef / Corporate Chef | Culinary | Executive / Director | Drives menu innovation and ingredient/equipment trialing |
| 6 | IT Director / CIO / CTO | Information Technology | Director / Executive | Evaluates POS, payments, ordering, and back-office systems |
| 7 | Facilities Director / Engineering Manager | Facilities / Maintenance | Director / Manager | Relevant for equipment, refrigeration, utilities, and maintenance suppliers |
| 8 | Franchise Development / Business Development Director | Development / Partnerships | Director / VP | Interested in expansion, vendor partnerships, and channel growth |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food & Beverages | Core category for restaurant products, ingredients, and beverages | Ingredient, beverage, and menu innovation outreach |
| 2 | Hospitality | Hotels, resorts, venues, and hospitality operators are key buyers | Foodservice, guest experience, and facilities sales |
| 3 | Restaurants | Primary end-user industry for this show | Operator-level sourcing and account-based sales |
| 4 | Wholesale | Distributors and wholesalers participate as buyers and channel partners | Channel development and distribution sales |
| 5 | Import & Export | Ingredient, beverage, and equipment trade flows matter to the market | International sourcing and import partnerships |
| 6 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Distribution, inventory, and delivery are central to restaurant operations | Cold chain, last-mile, and fulfillment solutions |
| 7 | Retail | Food retail and prepared-food categories overlap with restaurant purchasing | Category, merchandising, and foodservice retail buying |
| 8 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Kitchen, front-of-house, and operational equipment vendors are highly relevant | Equipment and facility product targeting |
| 9 | Information Technology & Services | Digital ordering, POS, and restaurant tech are common buyer interests | Restaurant software, payments, and automation |
| 10 | Facilities Services | Cleaning, maintenance, and facility support are recurring needs | Janitorial, maintenance, and compliance services |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed non-disclosure | Official website content provided | Organizer did not publish a current attendance figure in the provided source |
| Exhibitor count | 2026 exhibitor list coming soon | Confirmed upcoming | Official website content provided | No current exhibitor count available in source text |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Official website content provided | No buyer count published |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Official website content provided | Education program exists, but no total speaker count shown in provided content |
| Sponsor count | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | Official website content provided | Sponsors acknowledged, but count not published in provided text |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed | Historical data unavailable in provided source | Official website content provided | Use only if organizer releases prior-year metrics separately |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food sourcing | Menu differentiation, quality, consistency, cost control | Sampling, line reviews, distributor introductions | Ingredients, beverages, specialty foods |
| Kitchen equipment | Efficiency, reliability, replacement cycles | Live demos and ROI-based sales conversations | Cooking, refrigeration, prep, warewashing |
| Restaurant technology | POS, ordering, payments, labor analytics | Demo-led tech qualification and integration discussions | Software, payments, kiosks, analytics |
| Operations and labor | Productivity, staffing, training, retention | Operational benchmarking and workforce solution demos | Scheduling, training, HR, labor-saving tools |
| Packaging and disposables | Takeout, delivery, sustainability, cost | Category review with procurement and ops teams | Packaging, containers, branded disposables |
| Facility management | Cleanliness, maintenance, compliance, uptime | Problem-solution outreach and service contracts | Cleaning, maintenance, HVAC, pest control |
| Menu innovation | Trend awareness and new product trialing | Chef-led demonstrations and product tastings | New ingredients, flavors, and beverage concepts |
| Distribution partnerships | New lines, regional expansion, channel access | Distributor meetings and channel strategy sessions | Manufacturer, importer, and brand-owner outreach |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | Very High | The show is centered on restaurant and foodservice operators, distributors, and suppliers |
| Decision-maker availability | High | Likely attendance from owners, chefs, procurement, operations, and category leaders |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Exhibitor and agenda information is available, but attendee counts are not publicly confirmed in provided content |
| Apollo targeting potential | Very High | Strong fit for foodservice, hospitality, procurement, operations, distribution, and restaurant technology filters |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Florida and Southeast targeting is especially effective |
| Best outreach approach | Multi-touch ABM | Email, LinkedIn, pre-show calls, booth meetings, and post-show retargeting |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong event for buyer list building and supplier prospecting in foodservice |
| Best use case | Lead generation and channel development | Ideal for exhibitor sales, attendee list sales, and restaurant supplier outreach |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | No public current-year attendee list or attendance count in the supplied official content |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Food & Beverages; Hospitality; Restaurants; Wholesale; Logistics & Supply Chain; Information Technology & Services; Business Supplies & Equipment; Facilities Services; Import & Export; Retail | Align target account universe to operator and supplier ecosystem |
| Departments | Procurement, Supply Chain, Operations, Culinary, IT, Facilities, Business Development, Partnerships | Reach purchasing and influencing functions |
| Seniority | Owner, Partner, C-level, VP, Director, Manager | Prioritize decision-makers and budget holders |
| Job titles | Chief Procurement Officer, VP Procurement, Director of Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Category Manager, Supply Chain Director, Operations Director, Executive Chef, Corporate Chef, IT Director, CIO, CTO | Job-level targeting for B2B outreach and event meeting booking |
| Geography | Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, national U.S. | Focus on regional buyers with strong Florida and Southeast density |
| Employee size | 11–50, 51–200, 201–500, 501–1,000, 1,001–5,000, 5,000+ | Covers independent operators through large multi-unit brands and distributors |
| Keywords | restaurant, foodservice, hospitality, procurement, sourcing, menu, culinary, operations, POS, payments, distributor, franchise | Refine to relevant commercial intent |
| Company type | Private companies, franchises, chains, distributors, importers, hospitality groups | Match the operator and supplier mix found at the event |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (restaurant OR foodservice OR hospitality OR distributor OR franchise) AND (procurement OR sourcing OR operations OR culinary OR category manager OR supply chain OR chef OR IT director) AND geography:(Florida OR Southeast U.S.)
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Restaurant Show Official Website | Official organizer website | Event dates, event positioning, co-location with Pizza Tomorrow Summit, venue context, education and exhibitor messaging | Very High |
| Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association | Organizer / association website | Organizer identity and industry relevance | Very High |
| Orange County Convention Center | Venue website | Venue confirmation and host-market context | High |
| Visit Orlando | Destination marketing / city ecosystem source | Orlando hospitality and meeting-market relevance | High |
🎯 Selling to this event's audience? Get a free tailored buyer list
Tell us your work email and our AI instantly builds a buyer list matched to Florida Restaurant Show — the best‑fit companies to target, the exact decision‑maker job titles, and the industry filters that fit what you sell.
🔒 Get my buyer details Free · ~20 seconds