News Briefs

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® proudly announces the 2025 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award winners, recognizing the most groundbreaking advancements in foodservice equipment and technology. These award-winning products address critical industry challenges, from streamlining kitchen workflows to improving sustainability and consistency, setting new standards for efficiency and performance. The 2025 KI recipients will be on display in the Kitchen Innovations Showroom, where attendees can explore solutions designed to enhance operations and drive growth.

The Show, taking place May 17–20, brings together a comprehensive cross-section of the foodservice industry—from equipment dealers and quick-service operators to educational institutions and independent restaurant owners. Attendees will not only explore innovations like the KI Award-winning products but also discover the latest trends, ingredients, and technologies across every area of foodservice.

The 2025 Kitchen Innovations Award recipients

Origin™ Convection Ovens
Alto-Shaam, Inc.
Imagine an oven that cooks large quantities of food to perfection while freeing up valuable time. Alto-Shaam's Origin™ convection ovens do just that. Thanks to the patented Structured Air Technology™, Origin ensures every dish is consistently cooked using high-velocity, vertical airflow. Say goodbye to food waste and constant oven monitoring. Welcome efficiency and reliability into your kitchen. Alto-Shaam Origin ovens are the key to exceptional, worry-free cooking.

BuffetBoost™ Warming Block
American Metalcraft
This compact, wireless heat source helps operators keep any flat-bottomed, heat-conductive container of food at safe temperatures. Its aluminum surface heats up to 190°F in just seven minutes. Choose to power up by AC adapter (included) or by battery (sold separately) for portable convenience. The battery charges in less than two hours yet keeps hot food warm for over three hours. The unit pairs with others for larger food vessels, and can pair with compatible holders, available in a variety of finishes, to integrate into any buffet presentation.

Automated Fresh Brew: SimpliciTea 1500
Appliance Innovation
A Fresh Tea Revolution has arrived! Historically, fresh brewed iced tea was a demanding menu offering. With tea beginning to degrade as soon as the brew process is complete, many operators struggle to maintain tea quality without continuously discarding and re-brewing. The SimpliciTea 1500 simplifies and vastly increases the profitability of fresh brewed tea. This proprietary storage and dispense technology keeps tea fresh and eliminates tea and sugar waste. It automatically brews fresh tea—so operators will no longer run out during peak demand. A simple touch-screen interface allows customers to choose their perfect sweetness level and add flavors to further customize their fresh tea. Manual cleaning is also a thing of the past as the SimpliciTea1500 is equipped with fully automated self-cleaning.

Chillstream™ Undercounter Frozen Food Dispenser
Atosa USA, Inc.
Chillstream™ redefines frozen food dispensing with a space-saving, horizontal design, perfect for countertop and floor model cooking equipment. Unlike traditional vertical dispensers that take up valuable space, especially in compact or high-traffic kitchens, it enhances efficiency without compromising performance. Chillstream™ dispenses up to five different frozen products, including fries, chicken nuggets, and mozzarella sticks, with front or side-exit dispensing. It ensures consistent portions, reduced waste, improved food quality, and a more organized, streamlined kitchen workflow.

OMM Automated Egg Cooker
Bridge Appliances
From coffee shops to hotels, QSRs to full-service restaurants, operators want to serve high-quality eggs but struggle with space, labor, quality, and consistency. Enter OMM. Simply load up to 36 eggs into this compact, countertop cooker and touch a screen. About three "hands-free" minutes later, out come perfectly cooked, sunny-side-up eggs, in pairs, on a convenient peel. Now any operator can serve fresh, high-quality eggs with ease.

Carter-Hoffmann
CHrisper Station
The Carter-Hoffmann CHrisper Station is crafted to expertly hold fried chicken and other crispy foods, maintaining high product quality. Engineered with an advanced heat duct system, hot convection air, and radiant heat airflow enable double the standard holding time, reducing food waste. Our patent-pending dual-door design features two flip-up doors per side allowing for easy pass-through, improving food retrieval, and enhancing workflow efficiency. The CHrisper Station isn’t just another holding cabinet—it’s the most efficient solution available that boosts overall guest satisfaction, improves workflow efficiency, and reduces food waste.

RoboFry X4
Charter House Innovations
Industrial-style robot arms may be fun to watch but don’t fit every operator’s tight space, budgets and service times. The compact RoboFry X4 retrofits to any fryer and hood and uses two slim, vertical basket handlers that fill, place, and dump simultaneously. Twice the basket-handling capability means the unit is 50% faster, while ROI comes in half the time of the competition. It’s the most straightforward and cost-effective fry automation solution available.

Scraegg Egg/Porridge/Soup Cooker
CookUp Group Inc.
Fresh scrambled eggs in just 15 seconds? Now possible at breakfast bars, cafés, and C-stores! Plus soups, oatmeal, pasta, and more. A one-button interface powers a proprietary Direct Power Steam System for fast, consistent results. Its compact, ergonomic design fits tight spaces, perfect for self-serve or staff use—no training or cooking skills required.

Dual Fuel Gravity Charcoal Oven
Doyon
The Doyon Dual Fuel Gravity Charcoal Oven goes “hybrid” by generating 60% of its heat with charcoal and 40% with electric heating elements. Our patent-pending airflow system provides a rich, authentic barbecue-smoke flavor, while the heating elements reduce charcoal consumption by 20%. This oven ensures consistent results across nine racks and offers a broad temperature range from 180°F to 450°F, suitable for roasting, smoking, finishing, and hot holding.

Digital Kitchen Application Platform
Ecolab
Software developers have increasingly focused on tools to aid kitchen functions, but the resulting array of unconnected and dissimilar apps can be bewildering and frustrating for crew. Ecolab’s integrated Digital Kitchen App is easy to use and can organize operational task management, food waste monitoring, recipe management, food labeling, tracking of remote monitoring, cold storage, and even employee communications. The system seamlessly integrates hardware, software, and services in an easy-to-navigate solution.

PFAS (PFOA/PFOS) Reduction Systems
Everpure from Pentair Water Solutions
There’s increasing concern over substances known as “forever chemicals” that can have lasting and harmful impacts after extended exposure. Everpure from Pentair Water Solutions has introduced PFAS filtration systems and cartridges, targeted specifically to foodservice, that reduce PFOA/PFOS. Because they range from 1,000-gallon to 4,000- and 10,000-gallon capacities, the line allows operations to apply them to low-volume ice and fountain applications, beyond just drinking water protections.

Qeamer
Kitchenless
Kitchenless introduces a proprietary steam injection technology that’s integrated to a QR code-based mixing unit in a countertop that produces chef-quality dishes without traditional kitchen equipment and staff. Qeamer’s operating parameters, such as steam amount, mixing speed, rotation direction and speed, and braking intensity, all are matched to the specific needs of each prepackaged meal, ensuring perfect results. Operators benefit from reduced labor costs, minimized waste, and optimized energy consumption, making it a powerful alternative to traditional cooking.

FIZZBOT™
Lab2Fab LLC
The FIZZBOT™, initially developed by the Yum! Automation team in RED INNOVATION LABS BY YUM!™ and is now being commercialized in partnership with The Middleby Corporation, opens up fully automated, POS-integrated beverage dispensing in a remarkably compact format. It handles fountain drink production from start to finish in just 20 seconds, providing a completed drink every eight seconds during continuous production or up to 450 drinks per hour. The system includes hygienic labeling and sealing of up to three sizes of cups which are stored onboard. FIZZBOT™ supports diverse beverage menus with control for up to 28 different flavors—using carbonated and non-carbonated waters—plus ice.

NEO Undercounter Ice Machine w Filtration
Manitowoc
Manitowoc is helping resolve an age-old pain point by introducing the first commercial, standard-size undercounter ice machine with an onboard integrated water filtration system. Current standard-size machines require a separate water filter located outside of the machine, which needs space and diligence to install and maintain. NEO tracks ice making cycles and alerts the user when it’s time to change the filter, however, it can run without a filter in bypass mode for house-filtered water.

MilkPal
Marco Beverage Systems
How can the new hire create a perfect latte the first day on the job? This milk system could be their best “pal” by handling the most time-consuming part of sophisticated drink builds: milk foaming. MilkPal can deliver hot milk, cold milk, hot foam, or cold foam, dialed in to the desired volume and consistency, at the tap of a user-friendly touchscreen. On its way to cutting drink prep time by up to 20%, the low-profile MilkPal can also reduce milk waste to almost zero by delivering precise portions. The unit stores up to 25 drink-specific recipes for precise results. Plus, with automated cleaning, it makes a once time-consuming closing process a breeze.

Metafoodx Platform for Foodservice Operations
Metafoodx
Comprised of a mobile AI food scanner and a cloud-based dashboard, Metafoodx helps operators automatically track menu-item consumption, monitor leftovers, and capture food temperature with its IR temperature sensor. Using real-time data, the system enables accurate production forecasts based on true consumption and automatically generates operation and temperature logs for compliance and optimization, elevating dining quality and experience. The result: streamlined efficiency, optimized menus, and less waste.

LongWave IR Oven
Middleby Marshall
With its successor to the well-known CTX oven, Middleby Marshall innovates with new top and bottom infrared emitters that more evenly distribute heat and boost the temperature limit by 33%. As a result, meats sear and cook evenly in one pass. The cooling fan has moved inside to reduce noise and heat, while a “cool skin” safety feature keep workers safer and more comfortable. Controls include 15 presets for time and temperature plus a one-button self-cleaning mode that cuts down on labor.

Gravity Beverage Fountain System
Newton CFV
Fountain beverage is the most profitable category for many operators. The Gravity fountain system provides a wealth of data they need to optimize menu, prevent sellouts and minimize labor for upkeep. The control platform uses IoT to report immediate sales metrics and dynamically reprioritizes drink brand icons on the customer GUI according to demand, even graying sold-out icons until the respective product is refilled. CFV technology eliminates the need to adjust brix ratio when new drinks are introduced and over time.

Total Oil Management by Open Kitchen
Powerhouse Dynamics
Whether one or hundreds of restaurants are monitored, this system gives operators insights they can use immediately to ensure high equipment uptime, improve product quality, and control their oil consumption and cost. An element of the Open Kitchen solution, it does not require human input of data—everything is pulled from the fryer controller and from oil tank systems. The solution works with many brands of fryers with digital controls and connectivity.

Grill Station Assistant
PreciTaste
In a fast-paced kitchen, it’s easy to lose track of what food was placed on the grill first and what should be served next—especially for new employees. The Grill Station Assistant uses advanced Vision AI technology to precisely monitor every item on the grill and help the grill operators keep the quality to high standards. The system automatically overlays virtual squares on a video display of the grill in the kitchen and gives the crew simple visual cues about each item’s readiness to serve. No timers, no buzzers, and far less food waste. It works with most grills and requires minimum, compact hardware.

Smart Kitchen System Hub
Renau Corporation
Renau’s Smart Kitchen System (SKS) Hub provides operators with a comprehensive digital overview of their kitchen. From visual management to remote monitoring, the SKS Hub assists staff with the most important food safety practices such as cook and hold times and task reminders. The SKS Hub is compatible with Renau’s wireless food probes to help track and log food temperatures. Data logging does not require a subscription, and the system can be configured for both local and cloud networking.

The Surface Unlimited Induction Table
Spring USA
The Surface Unlimited Induction table is a gamechanger for operators looking for flexibility in their ambient and warm food serving operation. This revolutionary design replaces hot wells, eliminates the need for pans, and offers ambient serving alongside induction warming with advanced induction technology that allows for virtually unlimited placement of any size, induction-ready food vessel on the table’s surface. Mounted beneath an NSF-certified engineered SmartStone surface, three 1800-watt, double hob undercounter induction ranges equipped with multiple intuitive sensors allow for numerous vessels to connect – instead of the traditional 1:1 ratio required by standard induction ranges. A proprietary mounting bracket provides seamless side-by-side installation of up to four of these unique ranges with a hidden piano hinge control panel. Dedicated to quality and performance, this table is made in the United States of foreign and domestic parts and meets all electrical certification requirements.

Dynamic Response Refrigeration™ with Smart Control™
Traulsen
The state of the art of refrigeration control steps forward again supporting substantial improvements in both energy savings (20% to 50%) and noise reduction (30%). Traulsen's Multi-Patented Smart Control operates in conjunction with a variable-speed compressor to sense real-time changes in operating conditions and adjust such critical functions as defrost cycles and compressor power to optimize performance and reduce energy usage. The updated compressor runs at lower vibration and better balance to substantially reduce noise.

TRM - True Retail Merchandiser
True Manufacturing Co. Inc
This system of “plug and play” modular, medium- and low-temperature cabinets are fully self-contained, reducing installation time by 30% to 50% over similar systems using remote or hybrid units and long refrigeration lines. The True TRM lineup can cut refrigerant use by up to 87%, and with R290, it meets future EPA standards. The refrigeration deck on each can be repaired onsite, or fast-swapped with a new unit and bench-repaired elsewhere. Either way, the system is still running while repairs are underway meaning no need to remove product and no product loss.

A Spotlight on Impactful Solutions 

“The KI Awards celebrate solutions that are not just innovative but truly impactful for foodservice operations,” said Tom Cindric, President of Exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice. “This year’s recipients demonstrate how technology and design are revolutionizing kitchen operations, creating seamless integration between back-of-house efficiency and front-of-house service, all while enhancing consistency and delivering exceptional customer experiences. The National Restaurant Association Show is where these advancements come to life, giving attendees a chance to experience them in action, speak with the innovators behind them, and find solutions that fit their business.”

For more than two decades, the Kitchen Innovations Awards have recognized foodservice equipment that addresses real-world challenges and drives progress across the industry. An esteemed panel of industry leaders, including representatives from global brands like Walt Disney World Resort, Aramark, and Cracker Barrel, evaluated each submission based on its real-world impact and lasting value to foodservice operators.

Richard Eisenbarth, President, Emeritus at Cini-Little International and a long-standing KI judge, highlighted this year’s recipients and emphasized the evolving landscape of foodservice: “The 2025 Kitchen Innovations Awards spotlight solutions that embody the industry's evolution: doing more with less. From AI-driven monitoring to productivity-enhancing robotics, these innovations are reshaping kitchens, helping restaurants adapt and excel in today's dynamic culinary landscape.”

The Kitchen Innovations Awards have long been recognized as a defining moment for breakthrough foodservice technology, with award recipients gaining exposure to thousands of industry professionals, from independent operators to large multi-unit brands. Being showcased at the National Restaurant Association Show allows these innovations to reach the buyers, dealers, and decision-makers who drive industry-wide adoption.

In addition to exploring the award-winning solutions, attendees can take part in programming focused on foodservice equipment, including:

• Discovery Theater Session: A discussion on how cutting-edge kitchen equipment is reshaping foodservice operations. (Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m. CT)
• Equipment Professionals Meetup: A networking opportunity for operators, consultants, and equipment specialists. (Saturday, May 17, 12:00 p.m. CT)

For more details on the Kitchen Innovations Awards and to register for the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show, visit nationalrestaurantshow.com. Connect with the Show online on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for event updates.

Shift4 has acquired a majority stake in Vectron Systems AG, a European suppliers of point-of-sale (POS) systems to the restaurant and hospitality verticals. 

Based in Germany, Vectron has 65,000 POS locations across Europe, representing. Shift4 is expected to acquire additional ownership of Vectron through a public tender offer that is expected to conclude within the next month, with a de-listing and formal integration process to occur shortly thereafter.

The acquisition is expected to provide Shift4 with an expansive customer footprint across Europe as well as a distribution network of ~300 POS resellers. As a result of the acquisition, Shift4 believes it will be able to add its integrated payment services to current Vectron customers and products, while also empowering the sales force with a compelling all-in-one POS and payments solution unrivaled in Europe.

“Shift4 was at the forefront of the convergence between software and payments in the restaurant and hospitality verticals in the US. We see an incredible amount of demand for a similar all-in-one solution across Europe,” states Shift4 CEO Jared Isaacman. “With our integrated payments and SkyTab offering, we believe we have the best solution at the right price point. Vectron will provide valuable local expertise, infrastructure, and the distribution necessary to meet the demand. This acquisition is right out of the Shift4 playbook – enabling us to unlock synergies, expand our distribution, and monetize payments for a large existing install base.”

Completes Revel Systems Acquistion

In addition to the acquisition of Vectron, Shift4 has also completed its previously announced acquisition of Revel Systems. Revel has over 18,000 merchant locations across the United States and internationally which Shift4 estimates represents a $17B+ payment opportunity. Revel also has a direct sales and dealer distribution network which Shift4 believes can be leveraged to accelerate SkyTab distribution both domestically and abroad. 

Shift4 has signed a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire Givex Corp., a global provider of gift cards, loyalty programs and point-of-sale solutions. 

The Arrangement Agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and the transaction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year. 

With across more than 100 countries, Givex serves a wide range of businesses in various industries, including 7-Eleven, Wendy’s, Best Western, Texas Roadhouse. 

The company offers robust gift card and e-gift solutions as well as customizable loyalty programs, and a point-of-sale (POS) system for various business types, among other value-added services.

 “Givex has a considerable footprint around the world which will dramatically increase Shift4’s overall customer base,” states Shift4 President Taylor Lauber. “At the same time, their gift card and loyalty solutions are second to none and will add significant value for our current customers, creating stickier relationships andh 130,000+ active locations enhancing our overall value proposition. Similar to other deals we have recently completed, this acquisition aligns perfectly with how we like to deploy capital – adding blue-chip merchants at a low customer acquisition cost while delivering additional benefits to our customer base.” 

“The Givex team looks forward to joining the Shift4 family and bring our enterprise gift card capabilities and loyalty programs to hundreds of thousands of new customers,” says Don Gray, CEO of Givex. “By combining Shift4’s end-to-end payment solution with our value-added engagement services, we can deliver an unparalleled package to both of our customer bases.”  

SIHOT, a hotel management system, has digitalized booking information, enabling guests to add hotel reservations to their Apple or Google Wallets. 

Using a QR code in the digitalized hotel reservation, guests benefit from a more seamless digital experience at check-in. With instant access to booking information on their mobile device and smooth integration with existing SIHOT products – SIHOT.PMS, SIHOT.WEB, SIHOT.KIOSK and SIHOT.GO! – the digitalized reservation confirmation simplifies guest identification on self-service terminals and at the front desk. 

Providing convenience to guests with all travel details easily accessible on their phones, thanks to Google or Apple Wallets, this development aligns with the digital transformation of hospitality by improving operational efficiency while enhancing guest communication. With cutting-edge technology, guests can seamlessly access their booking details anytime, directly from their Apple or Google Wallet. For guests, this ensures a smoother check-in experience, reduces the hassle of searching for confirmation emails, and keeps all essential travel details conveniently at hand.  

Carsten Wernet, Chief Executive of SIHOT said, “We want to further improve the guest experience – we all know how frustrating and tedious it can be to have to wade through hundreds of emails to find that one booking confirmation. Through Apple or Google Wallet, we provide instant access to their reservation information, enabling hotels to facilitate quick check-ins from the front desk or with our automated self-service systems. With this information easily at hand, this will also cut queues on arrival without having to wait for guests to find their booking confirmation details.”

While the reservation confirmations facilitate key replacement on self-service check-in kiosks, guests will still be required to provide all relevant information to fulfil their stay. 

DIRECTV for BUSINESS^SM continues to expand in-room entertainment options in hotels and institutions through its Advanced Entertainment Platform that launched in June 2024 by integrating the Tubi app, Fox Corporation’s (NASDAQ: FOXA, FOX) Free Ad-Supported TV (FAST) platform. With this addition, Advanced Entertainment Platform customers gain seamless access to a vast selection of movies, TV shows, and Tubi originals.

With a robust collection of premium on demand content, including over 275,000 movies and TV episodes and more than 300 exclusive originals, Tubi helps enhance the Advanced Entertainment Platform by providing viewers with free, accessible entertainment.

“The Advanced Entertainment Platform is becoming the most comprehensive and flexible solution for properties looking to offer premium in-room entertainment,” said Doug Eichler, senior vice president, DIRECTV for BUSINESS^SM. “The addition of Tubi delivers access to a variety of content, including exclusive movies, shows, and live programming—all seamlessly available through our platform.”

The DIRECTV for BUSINESS Advanced Entertainment Platform is a customizable in-room entertainment solution combining live TV, app-based and on demand content, available to hotels, senior living communities and other institutions nationwide. Effective immediately, the Tubi app is now available to existing Advanced Entertainment Platform customers at no additional cost.

Cloudbeds, a hospitality management software platform, unveiled its 2025 State of Independent Lodging Report.

The findings reveal 2025 is set to be the “year of optimizing performance” for independent hoteliers. Faced with persistent labor shortages, increased price sensitivity from travelers, and a rising market share for branded hotels – which now represent 72% of all US hotels – independent operators must sharpen their strategies to stay ahead.

Now in its third year, the State of Independent Lodging Report offers a unique, data-driven look into the global independent lodging segment, highlighting key insights and trends across a diverse range of property types that are often overlooked in industry reporting.

Adam Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, said: “Hospitality is fundamentally human – and independent properties represent its heart and soul. Cloudbeds is helping these businesses transform challenges into opportunities, proving that being independent doesn't mean being alone. Together, we're building a future where independent hospitality businesses don't just survive – with access to technology like Cloudbeds Intelligence, they lead the way forward.”

Key findings from the report include:

• Occupancy trends indicate stabilization: Demand patterns remained steady in 2024, therefore independent hotels must focus on capturing market share to maintain occupancy levels in 2025.
• Pricing hits a ceiling: After years of rapid growth, the global average daily rate (ADR) declined by 1% in 2024, reflecting softening demand and increased price sensitivity among travelers.
• OTAs continue to dominate: In 2024, online travel agencies (OTAs) captured 61% of all bookings for independent properties, which are far more reliant on OTAs than branded hotels.

Based on a wealth of aggregated and anonymized data from across the world, Cloudbeds has also identified five new trends poised to reshape the independent lodging market in 2025. These include the rise of value-driven travel, increased reliance on additional revenue streams, rising costs, labor shortages and high staff turnover, as well as the widespread adoption of AI in hotel operations.

The report’s findings are grounded in data from more than 20,000 independent properties in 150 countries. The results are divided into four regions: North America, Latin America (including Mexico), Europe, and Asia Pacific (including Australia and New Zealand).

To download a free copy of Cloudbeds’ 2025 State of Independent Lodging Report, visit https://www.cloudbeds.com/hospitality-industry-report/.