The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago was more than just a trade event — it was a high-energy convergence of over 53,000 foodservice professionals, 2,300+ exhibitors, and groundbreaking technology innovations that are actively reshaping the restaurant and hospitality industry. Over four bustling days at McCormick Place, one theme was undeniable: restaurants must adopt smarter, AI-driven solutions if they want to thrive in today’s volatile, cost-sensitive, and digitally demanding landscape.
Among the standout exhibitors was BiteBerry, a rapidly emerging voice AI platform built specifically for restaurants. Positioned in the Tech Pavilion at Booth 8337, BiteBerry showcased its AI-powered voice ordering assistant — a solution that’s helping restaurants streamline operations, optimize drive-thru and phone orders, and reduce the burden on short-staffed teams.
In this post, we’ll break down the key takeaways from NRA Show 2025 and explore how BiteBerry’s voice ordering technology aligns perfectly with what the industry needs now — and in the years ahead.
AI in Restaurants Is No Longer Optional — It's Operational
AI was the unignorable force of the NRA Show this year. Whether you were in sessions about customer service automation, inventory forecasting, or scheduling, the message was clear: AI is not a luxury — it’s a necessity. Keynote speaker Carla Hall summed it up perfectly: “We’re not getting that toothpaste back in the tube.”
Solutions like BiteBerry Voice AI are leading this shift. Our voice assistant is designed to fully handle incoming phone orders, answer frequently asked questions like “Where’s my order?”, and boost upsell rates through intelligent, context-aware suggestions. This doesn’t just sound futuristic — it’s already live in kitchens across the country.
Labor Shortages? Let AI Answer the Phone.
One of the most talked-about issues at the show was workforce management and the ongoing staffing crisis in foodservice. Operators shared stories of burnout, missed orders, and rising turnover. Many attendees were actively searching for solutions that could support staff without replacing the human touch.
That’s where BiteBerry’s voice assistant comes in. Our AI solution doesn’t replace staff — it empowers them. It handles repetitive, time-consuming tasks like taking phone orders, checking order statuses, and reminding customers about promotions or combos — freeing up employees to focus on delivering food, prepping for rushes, and improving dine-in or takeout service.
BiteBerry customers are already seeing the impact:
15%+ increase in order capture
Zero missed calls, even during peak hours
25%+ higher upsell rate due to AI-recommended combos
Personalization and Customization Matter More Than Ever
This year’s show emphasized how Gen Z and Gen Alpha expect hyper-personalized, digital-first experiences — not just at the table but in every part of the customer journey. Operators were told to “meet guests where they are,” and increasingly, that’s on mobile apps, voice platforms, and digital ordering systems.
BiteBerry helps restaurants deliver this exact type of experience. Our system learns your menu, understands daily specials, and can even recognize customer intent from natural speech patterns. This means your guests don’t have to wait, repeat themselves, or talk to someone who doesn’t know the menu.
Every interaction is fast, personalized, and efficient — exactly what modern consumers demand.
Sustainability, Simplicity, and Smarter Tech
From non-alcoholic beverage trends to robotics for real-time food production, the NRA Show made it clear that operators want smart systems that do more with less. BiteBerry’s AI assistant fits this mold perfectly: it reduces paper waste from missed orders, lowers dependence on plastic menus or printed specials, and simplifies operations without needing new uniforms or retraining.
Additionally, our tech is 100% cloud-based, works with your existing POS systems, and requires zero hardware installation. In a world where sustainability and efficiency are top of mind, BiteBerry delivers both.
Recapping the Show: A Snapshot of What’s Next
Here are a few stats and insights from NRA Show 2025 that shaped the conversation:
53,000+ attendees from 110 countries
2,300+ exhibitors, with over 800 making their debut
Major focus areas included AI for hospitality, digital voice assistants, robotics, and functional beverage innovation
BiteBerry was featured as a standout in AI ordering and operational automation
From keynote speeches by Carla Hall to panels on menu innovation, the show was filled with energy, urgency, and optimism. If you weren’t there, now is the perfect time to catch up — and if you were, it’s time to act on what we all saw coming: the future of foodservice is voice-first, data-smart, and AI-driven.
Let BiteBerry Help You Take the Call — So Your Staff Can Focus on the Food
At BiteBerry, we’re proud to be part of this next chapter in restaurant innovation. Our voice ordering platform for restaurants is already making a measurable impact on the bottom line — helping operators save time, increase order accuracy, and elevate customer satisfaction.
💬 Want to see BiteBerry in action?
[Book a free demo] and learn how we can help you take more calls, capture more revenue, and deliver service your guests will remember.
If you’re actively searching for:
“Best voice ordering system for restaurants”
“AI answering service for food orders”
“Restaurant phone automation tools”
“QSR tech to reduce staff overload”
“Drive-thru AI voice ordering software”
…then you’re already in the right place.
BiteBerry isn’t just voice tech. It’s revenue tech.
Let’s shape the future of foodservice — together.
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