The National Restaurant Association is launching its “Road to the 2027 Restaurant Show” educational series with a one-day workshop focused on workforce management in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on December 3, 2026.
The event, held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET, aims to provide restaurant and foodservice operators with actionable strategies to address labor challenges.
The workshop is part of a three-city tour that also includes stops in Schaumburg, Illinois, and North Houston, Texas. Organizers designed the curriculum to move beyond theoretical concepts, focusing instead on practical applications for daily operations, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Attendees will participate in sessions covering four core pillars of restaurant operations. The program highlights workforce planning and labor analytics, teaching operators how to use data to anticipate staffing requirements.
The sessions also address scheduling optimization and cost control, aiming to balance labor expenses with the guest experience. The workshop covers compliance and risk management, alongside technology and systems integration to simplify decision-making.
The December 3 event features a lineup of speakers from regional and national hospitality organizations. The roster includes Anthony Bucco, Vice Chair of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, and Ben Fileccia, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Engagement for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.
Additional expertise is provided by Jim Taylor, Founder and CEO of Benchmark Sixty Restaurant Services and partner at Le Crocodile restaurant, and Bianca Weiss, State Affairs Manager for the National Restaurant Association.
The workshop is presented by Informa and sponsored in part by the National Restaurant Association. Operators interested in attending can find registration information through the official [National Restaurant Association website].
The event focuses on helping operators build a more efficient and sustainable workforce by providing practical tools for labor scheduling, data-driven planning, and compliance.
The workshop is designed for restaurant and foodservice leaders who are currently managing operational labor challenges and seeking immediate, actionable strategies.
Where else will this workshop be held? In addition to the Cherry Hill, New Jersey, location, the “Road to the 2027 Restaurant Show” series will visit Schaumburg, Illinois, and North Houston, Texas, this December.
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