KLH 2025 NRA RECAP

As the KLH sales team returned from the 2025 National Restaurant Show in Chicago, one thing was clear: innovation is moving fast, and we’re making sure our dealer partners stay ahead of it.

Highlights from the Show Floor

Traulsen Takes Home a Kitchen Innovation Award

Their Dynamic Response Refrigeration with Smart Control technology stood out for improving temperature consistency and reducing energy waste, two big wins for schools balancing food safety with efficiency.

• How this helps you: Dealers can leverage this award-winning innovation as a differentiator in specifications. It’s Energy Star certified and offers a compelling story to nutrition directors looking to reduce waste and improve reliability.

Vulcan’s Updated Chef’s Combi

Chef Hank Sawtelle showed us the customizable settings and a user-friendly interface of the Chef’s Combi oven which is ideal for kitchens that need to do more with fewer hands. It also includes humidity sensors and is Energy Star certified—a major bonus for K-12 funding opportunities.

• How this helps you: The Vulcan Combi checks every box: grant eligibility, labor efficiency, and performance. It positions you to compete directly with Rational while offering U.S.-based support and better install flexibility.

Operator Conversations: What We Heard

From chats with operators, chefs, consultants, and corporate buyers, here are some of the key takeaways:

1. Labor-Saving Solutions Are in Demand
2. Multi-functionality Wins
3. Sustainability & Utility Savings Matter More Than Ever

How this helps you: These themes inform where your customers are heading. When you pitch a labor-saving, energy-efficient piece of equipment, you’re not just offering a product, you’re solving a pain point that was top-of-mind at the show.

KLH In Action: Booth Visits & Connections

We made it a point to stop at every factory partner’s booth and grab photos, videos, and product updates that we can now share with you. A few standouts:

• ITW — We met with product developers from across the ITW portfolio, including Vulcan and Traulsen, to review what’s next in ware washing, combi, refrigeration, and utility-saving tech.

How this helps you: Early insight on ITW’s direction means we will help you stay ahead of the curve when your customers ask what’s new.

• Filtrox — We shared the booth with their full team and explored more filtration applications across foodservice operations.

How this helps you: With labor-saving and safety benefits, Filtrox is now easier than ever to position in kitchens where oil management matters.

• Espresso Soci — They are now adding La Marzocco to their lineup.

How this helps you: You now have a luxury coffee solution in your back pocket. It’s great for hotel cafés, university lounges, or premium build-outs.

• Citrus America — Now represented in SoCal by KLH. Our team got a refresher on their juicers and how to position them as both labor-friendly and health-forward.

How this helps you: Fresh juice is trending. This gives you an equipment line that checks both ROI and wellness boxes for your customers.

• Duke — We met with culinary leads to explore updates to their production systems, hot-holding solutions, and lineup for school and institutional kitchens.

How this helps you: We’re now equipped with early insight on their product roadmap so you can offer what’s next, not what’s standard.

As always, our mission is to give you the tools to win more projects and serve your customers better. If you’re quoting or specifying for:

• Labor-saving, multi-functional equipment
• Innovative tech that supports staff efficiency
• Product lines that align with current food trends

…KLH is here to help. Let us know what you’re working on, and we’ll send product sheets, set up demos, or get answers from our factory teams.

We’re proud to represent manufacturers who are pushing the industry forward and even prouder to support the dealers who bring it all to life.

Because at KLH, we’re committed to providing commercial kitchen equipment solutions to keep your operation smooth and profitable.

—
The KLH Team