NRA Show 2024 concluded successfully at McCormick Place in Chicago. As one of the leading events for the restaurant, hospitality and commercial foodservice community, the show brought together operators, distributors, brands, buyers and supply partners from across North America and global markets.
For Grizzlies, this year’s show was not only about presenting products. It was an opportunity to speak directly with buyers about a very practical question: how can takeout solutions stay reliable, grease-resistant and food-safe while moving toward safer material choices?
A Strong Industry Gathering in Chicago
NRA Show 2024 attracted more than 58,000 professionals from the United States and around the world, representing 124 countries. The show floor included more than 2,240 exhibitors, making it an important platform for buyers to compare solutions, meet suppliers and understand what is changing across the industry. Source: National Restaurant Association Show 2024 post-show report
At the booth, many conversations were focused on real use conditions rather than broad claims. Buyers wanted to talk about hot meals, oily dishes, sauces, delivery handling, stacking, leakage control and customer experience after the order leaves the counter.
Safer Takeout Was the Main Conversation
In North America, takeout has become part of daily commercial operations for restaurants, cafés, delis, catering providers, supermarkets and prepared-food counters. The container, bowl, tray or cup has to work beyond the moment of serving. It must hold the food, protect presentation and support transport without creating unnecessary risk.
This is why many buyers asked about safer takeout choices at NRA Show 2024. Their questions were not limited to appearance or unit price. They wanted to understand material direction, grease resistance, food contact expectations and how products would perform with real menus.
Grease Resistance Needed a New Answer
Grease resistance is still essential for many food applications. Fried food, burgers, breakfast items, sauced meals and oily prepared foods all require a barrier that can reduce staining, softening and leakage during service or transport.
However, 2024 changed how buyers discussed this topic. In February 2024, the U.S. FDA announced that grease-proofing substances containing PFAS were no longer being sold by manufacturers for food contact use in the U.S. market. The FDA also noted that these substances had been used on paper and paperboard to prevent grease and oil from leaking through. Source: FDA PFAS food contact update
Against this background, buyers were looking for a more careful balance: reliable grease performance, clearer material communication and a PFAS-free direction that can support commercial use.
From Claims to Confidence
One message from the show was clear: buyers do not want vague words. They want confidence. If a product is intended for oily food, they want to know how it performs. If it is intended for direct food contact, they want to understand the material and document direction. If it is used for takeout, they want to know whether it can handle movement, steam, weight and stacking.
The FDA explains that food-contact materials can include substances used in paper and paperboard to prevent grease from leaking through. For buyers, this means that material choices and barrier decisions should be discussed early, not left until after samples are approved. Source: FDA food-contact materials information
What Buyers Discussed with Grizzlies
During the show, Grizzlies focused on practical conversations with buyers, distributors and supply partners. Instead of starting with a long product list, our team discussed food type, operating scenario, target market and the buyer’s current sourcing challenges.
- For takeout and delivery: how to handle movement, sauces, oily food, steam and stacking.
- For distributors: how to select fast-moving items, manage repeat supply and maintain consistent quality.
- For brand owners: how to align product appearance, function and customer experience.
- For compliance-focused projects: how to discuss food contact expectations, PFAS-free direction and supporting documents.
Designed Around Real Commercial Use
A takeout item is tested in real life. It may sit under heat, carry sauces, travel in a bag, be stacked with other orders or be opened after a delay. These details can affect customer experience more than a product photo can show.
At NRA Show 2024, Grizzlies used product samples and face-to-face discussions to help buyers compare structure, material feel, barrier direction and practical use. This helped customers think more clearly about what works for their menus, distribution channels and service models.
Custom Projects Also Started with Function
Many buyers were also preparing custom projects. But a useful custom project should begin with function, not only artwork. The product needs to match the food application, service style, storage condition, target market and expected order plan.
Grizzlies discussed logo printing, brand presentation, product range planning, sample development and repeat-order communication with customers who wanted solutions that could support both brand image and daily use.
Why Grizzlies Attended NRA Show 2024
Grizzlies attended NRA Show 2024 because buyers across the North American market were asking more specific questions. They needed safer takeout choices, better grease-resistant material direction, clearer food-contact communication and products that could support real commercial service.
Meeting customers face to face allowed our team to understand what happens after the product leaves the counter: how it travels, how it is handled, what foods it carries and what buyers need to explain to their own customers.
Looking Ahead
As takeout, delivery, catering and prepared-food channels continue to grow, safer and more practical material choices will remain important for buyers. Grizzlies will continue to support global customers with factory-direct supply, product development, custom projects and application-based recommendations.
Contact Grizzlies to discuss your takeout project, grease-resistant material needs, PFAS-free direction, food-contact expectations or custom development plan.
