2027 is fast approaching and looks set to be chock-full of exciting restaurant industry events, so it’s time to mark your calendars and plan out your year.
Some shows have already posted their agendas and speaker lists, presenting opportunities to discuss a broad range of restaurant industry topics, including finance, tech, franchise strategy and consumer trends. Many feature showroom floors with established and up-and-coming vendors, where thousands of attendees can learn firsthand about new opportunities in equipment, digital technology and more.
To help you prioritize your travel budget, Restaurant Dive has selected nine of the buzziest restaurant conferences and trade shows scheduled throughout late 2026 and into 2027.
Restaurant Finance & Development Conference
Nov. 9-11, 2026
Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
RFDC is a financial conference for restaurant owners, operators and finance executives. Attendees can learn about key trends in restaurant business and capital markets during educational sessions covering capital-raising strategies, third-party delivery, trends in investments, mergers and acquisitions and more.
Speakers slated for this year include executives from Dave’s Hot Chicken, Burger King, Jersey Mike’s, Taco Bell, Cava and Swig. In past years, executives discussed market conditions, M&A activity and what keeps CEOs up at night.
ICR Conference
Jan. 11-13
JW Marriott, Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida
This invite-only event brings together major public and private companies to share updates about their business models and discuss hot topics within the restaurant sector. Attendees typically include corporate management teams, private equity and institutional investors and sell-side analysts.
Past presenters included Darden, BJ’s Restaurants, El Pollo Loco, Fat Brands, The One Group, Shake Shack and Krispy Kreme. Read about Krispy Kreme’s turnaround strategy from 2026’s ICR Conference.
IFA Annual Convention
Feb. 22-24
Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
This International Franchise Association event is designed for franchisees to learn franchise-specific business development ideas, formulate plans for growth and network with other operators. The event also includes a vendor exhibit hall.
Past speakers include Kat Cole, CEO of AG1; Andrew T. Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A; Codie Sanchez, co-owner of ResiBrands; Matt Haller, president and CEO of the IFA; and Sam Ballas, CEO and president of East Coast Wings + Grill.
Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit
March 8-10
New Orleans
The Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit is focused on the new technology, new marketing tactics and new menu strategies major restaurant brands, particularly franchised brands, are using to get ahead in a competitive market.
Scheduled speakers for 2026 include executives from California Pizza Kitchen, Capriotti’s, Golden Corral and Pollo Campero.
MURTEC
March 15-17
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada
The Multi-unit Restaurant Technology Conference includes education sessions that explore how restaurant technology can improve operations, marketing, consumer experience and other aspects of the business.
Attendees typically include growth-oriented restaurant companies, C-suite executives, CEOs and owners, restaurant groups, franchisees and independent operators across multiple restaurant segments.
Past speakers include executives from Jack in the Box, Dog Haus, Dine Brands, Taco John’s, Flynn Group and Craveworthy Brands.
Curbivore
April
Downtown Los Angeles
Curbivore draws restaurants, retailers, startups, technologists and policy makers to discuss the intersection of transportation systems, small business, urban design and commerce.
The event’s 2026 speaker list included representatives from DoorDash, Uber and Serve Robotics. In 2026 and 2025, the conference took place in April. During past Curbivore events, Sweetfin and Stellar Pizza explained how robotics were helping reduce costs.
Restaurant Leadership Conference
April 4-7
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa, Phoenix
The Restaurant Leadership Conference serves as a place for leaders from established brands and up-and-coming concepts to connect and share strategies. More than 100 speakers typically attend the conference.
The RLC’s 2026 lineup included events with Christine Barone, CEO and president at Dutch Bros Coffee; Dolf Berle, CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes; and Troy Aikman, ESPN NFL game analyst.
National Restaurant Association Show
May 22-25
McCormick Place, Chicago
The National Restaurant Association Show features supplier exhibits, culinary demonstrations, new technology displays, discussions of major industry trends and learning sessions for attendees, featuring major brands and startups.
Past attendees include industry leaders at companies ranging from small independents up to Yum Brands, according to the show’s site. Read how automation dominated past NRA Shows.
FS/TEC
Sept. 15-17
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas
FS/TEC is a major foodservice technology conference showcasing innovations in the restaurant industry, with sessions on forward-looking trends and topics like artificial intelligence, the future of work and consumer relationship management tech.
FS/TEC typically has more than 70 speakers, and featured leaders from national brands like Burger King, Wingstop, Brinker International and Ziggi’s Coffee in 2026.
Disclosure: The National Restaurant Association Show, FS/TEC and Restaurant Leadership Conference are run by Informa, which owns a controlling stake in Informa TechTarget, the publisher behind Restaurant Dive. Informa has no influence over Restaurant Dive’s coverage.
