Attendees at this month’s 2026 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago were focused on globally inspired flavors, value-driven innovation, and practical automation that stretches labor while keeping hospitality intact.
This article first appeared in Abasto.
In the technology pavilion, at the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show, the highlights were AI and automation, not as sci-fi replacements for staff, but as tools to ease back-of-house pressure and improve consistency. Kitchen robotics, smart fryers, and automated beverage systems are ways to keep menus tight, maintain quality, and free up team members for face time with guests, a critical issue for Hispanic operators whose value proposition is rooted in personal relationships.
Also, tech vendors like Restaurant365 understand the importance of having multi-lingual capabilities and are using AI to help companies engage both workers and customers.
For Hispanic grocers with foodservice operations, the most relevant play is targeted automation in high-volume, low-differentiation tasks such as tortilla warming, rice and bean production, and beverage dispensing, while keeping prep, seasoning, and final assembly in human hands.
Paired with data-rich displays and inventory systems, these tools help small chains protect margins on the popular but low-priced comfort dishes that anchor traffic.
This article first appeared in Abasto.
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