Foodservice Trade Shows to Follow in 2025 (Continuously Updated)

This is a detailed guide to the latest foodservice shows, which focus on emerging industry trends, f...

This is a detailed guide to the latest foodservice shows, which focus on emerging industry trends, food technologies, and business insights.


The foodservice industry is constantly evolving and exploring new trends essential for success. Whether you're a restaurateur, supplier, or culinary innovator, foodservice trade shows offer invaluable opportunities to network, explore the latest products, and gain insights from industry professionals.
As 2025 kicks off, businesses are gearing up to showcase their latest innovations at trade shows worldwide. 
In this article, we round up the top trade shows of the year that will help you elevate your business.


Why Are Foodservice Trade Shows Important?


Foodservice trade shows gather industry professionals from diverse backgrounds. The largest shows are visited by thousands of guests looking to invest in a new business venture. It's an incredible opportunity for new businesses to gain some early momentum. 
Many industry experts participate in these trade shows as guest speakers to share their insights with fellow entrepreneurs. It's a valuable opportunity to showcase your product, share information, and network, as well as a great place to purchase food service products in bulk
Each year, thousands of businesses exhibit their new products based on market trends. It's the easiest way to stay updated on market trends and gain insights into customer preferences. 


The Best Foodservice Trades Shows in 2025


Each year, hundreds of companies organize trade shows related to the foodservice industry. These two—to three-day shows take place all over the world, often on overlapping dates.
Most businesses only have the time or budget to participate in one show a year, so the decision shouldn't be taken lightly. 
We have highlighted some of the best foodservice trade shows of 2025 to ensure you get the most value for your time and money.


Table 1 - A comparison of the top foodservice trade shows of 2025

Trade Show

Focus

Dates

Location

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo

Catering & Onboard Services

7 Apr

8-10 Apr

Hamburg,

Germany

Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

Restaurant Profit Optimization

11-13 Mar

South Carolina,

USA

National Restaurant Association Show

Food & Beverage Products & Equipments

17-20 May

Chicago,

USA

Biodegradable Expo

Promoting Fresh Produce 

4-6 Jun

UP,

India

Canton Fair: Phase 2

General Household Items

23-27 Apr

Guangzhou, China

Natural & Organic Products Expo

Promoting Natural Food Products

12-13 May

London,

England

Plant-Based World Expo

Best Plant-Based Foods

12-13 Nov

London,

England

 

1. World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE)

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE)

 

First, we have one of the biggest catering trade shows in the world. The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) is a gathering of catering professionals specializing in serving the airline and railway industry
As a B2B (business-to-business) event, with exhibits from over one hundred businesses. The 2025 expo will feature various innovative foodservice products such as food & beverage ideas, travel hygiene solutions, catering equipment, disposable cutlery, packaging solutions and more.
There is a lot of synergy between the travel and catering industry. As international flights and trains have become more common, customers expect a meal during their long travels. 
It is much easier for airlines and railway companies to collaborate with existing foodservice businesses to implement their meal systems. Catering involves everything from quality food to reliable containers and cutlery
Many exhibitors at WTCE will showcase their innovative tableware designs. This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest products in the industry.


Location: Hamburg, Germany
Show Dates: 8-10 April, 2025
Conference Date: 7 April, 2025
Website: worldtravelcateringexpo.com

 

2. Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

 

Moving on to a more technical show, we have the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit. The primary audience for such a show is restaurant and franchise owners. The 2025 summit will focus on utilizing technology to initiate new business ideas and optimize profits.
With AI (artificial intelligence) dominating every industry, there's no doubt that the foodservice industry wants to utilize this technology to improve customer/guest experience. Information is key in the foodservice industry. 
Businesses can extract valuable information about customer habits and preferences using the latest data analysis techniques. The summit will explore avenues of data gathering and analysis using AI. 
While the summit is only three days long, it's jam-packed with expert speakers, success stories from industry professionals, and recreational activities.
It's also important to note that many of the sessions overlap. So, attendees will have to prioritize some activities over others. 
Guests should definitely attend the "Diversifying Your Restaurant's Revenue Streams" session, which features an incredible panel, including the director of food and beverage strategies of AMC Theaters. 
 

Location: South Carolina, USA
Summit Dates: 11-13 March, 2025
Website: franchisinginnovation.com

 

3. National Restaurant Association Show

National Restaurant Association Show

 

The National Restaurant Association Show is an annual gathering of restaurant and foodservice professionals from around the world. It's an incredible opportunity for fledgling businesses to connect with potential investors and retailers. 
2025 is the year of the young innovators. This year's show has expanded to over 900 food, beverages, tableware, cooking equipment, sanitation tools, and emerging technologies categories. In recent years, the tight application criteria prevented many brands from participating in the expo.
Now, with the addition of these new categories, we expect some truly unique exhibits to take center stage. The 2025 expo also has a new registration program highlighting newcomers in the foodservice industry. 
Finally, we have the showstopper of the expo -  the 2025 Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards. Businesses can register their products in over a dozen categories. Award-winning businesses gain global recognition in the industry, which almost guarantees success in an otherwise tough industry.
As the expo takes place in the first quarter of 2025, FABI winners will have the rest of the year to capitalize on their awards. Businesses can display their award-winning status to gain customers' trust.

 

Location: Chicago, USA
Summit Dates: 17-20 May, 2025
Website: nationalrestaurantshow.com

 

4. Biodegradable Expo

Biodegradable Expo

 

The Biodegradable Expo is a 3-day trade show focused on sustainable business practices. This year’s expo will cover major elements of the foodservice industry such as biodegradable and compostable materials, energy-efficiency machinery, and sustainable packaging.
Visitors can expect a packed program schedule with hundreds of brand exhibits. The biodegradable materials exhibits in particular are a stand out affair. 
Brands will be showcasing sustainable packaging and cutlery products made from tree fiber, bagasse, bio-plastic, and recycled aluminum. It is also an excellent space for brands and suppliers to connect with one another. 
For newcomers in the industry, the annual Biodegradable Excellence Awards are perhaps the most important part of the event. Winning an award for your design, innovation, or production will give credibility and legitimacy to your business.
The expo has three categories for the best Raw Material suppliers - Pulp, Paper, and Bio-Plastic. Investors are always looking for reliable suppliers and are bound to have their eyes on the winners here. 


Location: UP, India
Show Dates: 4-6 June, 2025
Website: biodegradableexpo.com


5. 137th Canton Fair (China Import & Export Fair)

137th Canton Fair (China Import & Export Fair)

 

The China Import & Export Fair is one of the largest gatherings of manufacturers, suppliers, and innovators in the world. In the past few years, the Chinese manufacturing industry has dominated the international consumer goods space. 
Compared to the first Canton Fair in 1957, which was a much smaller affair with mostly Chinese businesses, the modern fair is a completely different beast. The 137th annual Canton Fair is a nearly month-long experience.


It is such a massive gathering that for the last few years the organizers have divided it into three phases. Each phase is five days long and caters to a different sector of the consumer goods market. 
Phase 1 - focused on electrical products and electronics.
Phase 2 - focused on general household items.
Phase 3 - focused on textile and clothing production.
Phase 2  covers various elements of the foodservice industry including, tableware, kitchenware, and premium materials for cutlery.


Location: Guangzhou, China
Phase 1 Dates: 15-19 April 2025
Phase 2 Dates: 23-27 April 2025
Phase 3 Dates: 1-5 May 2025
Website: www.cantonfair.org.cn

 

6. Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX)

Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX)

 

NOPEX is one of the biggest food service expos, focused on improving human health, nutrition, and beauty through natural and organic products.
2025 marks the 28th annual NOPEX event, which will be hosted in London, England. It is a premiere gathering of the top "planet-positive" food brands and retailers in the world. 
The organic foods market has grown tenfold in the past two decades and is now valued at over $130 billion. However, rising concerns about climate change have sparked a debate about the sustainability and ethical production of foods. 
Today, consumers are more focused on ethically sourced and produced food items from environmentally conscious brands. The food and beverages section of NOPEX is the perfect place for companies to view the latest market and gain insights into the future of the food industry.
While NOPEX operates on a much smaller scale than other trade shows, it still manages an impressive 600 exhibits and over ten thousand product showcases yearly. 
The NOPEX event is divided into three sections, and participants must register against one expo. 
Natural Health EXPO
Natural Food EXPO
Natural Beauty EXPO
While multiple registrations are possible, we recommend against such practices. 


Location: London, England
Expo Dates: 12-13 May, 2025
Website: naturalproducts.co.uk

 

7. Plant Based World Expo

Plant Based World Expo

 

Finally, we end our list with an expo focused on greener food alternatives. Industry experts estimate the plant-based food industry will hit a market value of $162 billion by the end of 2030.
So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that more and more businesses are flocking to plant-based alternatives. The Plant-Based World Expo provides newcomers with an opportunity to gain a foothold in the market. Meanwhile, established businesses see it as an opportunity to expand their portfolio or shift to more sustainable business models. 
The expo is one of the biggest plant-based B2B events in Europe. It has an absolutely stacked schedule with a diverse range of exhibits. This year's expo will include exhibits from over 200 businesses, presentations from industry leaders, a conference featuring expert panelists, a buyers and suppliers networking lounge, and, of course, delicious food demos from brands.
Similar to other trade shows, the expo also hosts the Plant-Based Excellence Awards. Each year, top brands compete in 17 categories with their innovative plant-based food alternatives. Last year's best product award went to a plant based bacon brand.
These awards help businesses stand out from the competition and carve their place in the industry. It also makes investors' jobs easier by highlighting the top products of the year.


Location: London, England
Expo Dates: 12-13 November, 2025
Website: plantbasedworldeurope.com

 

Final Thoughts


Foodservice trade shows are a dime a dozen. Each year, hundreds of such events take place all over the world. However, only a few merit your time investment. Identifying the nature of these trade shows will help businesses choose the right place for their product exhibition. Most food industry conferences and expos focus on general foodservice products.
However, recent years have seen a rise in more focused trade shows that concentrate on a single aspect of the food service industry. Some shows are focused on sustainability, while others value technological advancements. 
Businesses should evaluate potential expo visits based on the nature of their products and innovations.


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Ancheng is the premier manufacturer and supplier of disposable catering suppliers. We specialize in wood and bamboo-based cutlery. Get fully customizable tableware to help your business stand out among the competition.  
Customers can also request free samples and get tableware advice from our expert team. Save money on utensils and improve the customer dining experience for your catering business. Contact us for free for professional advice on what's right for your project!
 

Sven Wang

Hello, I'm Sven Wang, the Manager of Ancheng. With extensive expertise in raw materials and production processes, I'm dedicated to advancing sustainable tableware and constantly improving eco-friendly options for the modern catering industry. You can trust that Ancheng is committed to providing the highest quality. Welcome!

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