The Biggest Trends from The NAMA Show 2026

Can’t-miss trends for operators to implement today.

By Becca Woll

This may have only been my third time attending The NAMA Show, but each year reinforces the same thing: innovation in unattended retail isn’t slowing down anytime soon. From Innovation Way to the New Product Zone, the pace of change across food, beverage, and smart retail technology makes it clear why this show is a must-attend.

Here are some of the biggest trends I noticed this year.

Gen Z and Millennials Are Reshaping the Breakroom

Today’s workforce is looking for an experience, not just convenience. Preferences are shifting toward novelty, discovery, and variety, reflecting a broader trend of blurred lines between work and lifestyle. The breakroom is no longer just a place to grab a snack. For these generations, solidly in the workforce now, it’s becoming an extension of consumer identity.

Global and Cultural Flavors Go Mainstream

Products that once felt regional are now hitting the national stage. Case in point: canned boba! As social media accelerates food trends, flavors that may have once been localized (like in California) are quickly becoming widely expected. Operators who embrace variety sooner will be better positioned to meet evolving demand.

Multi-Functional Beverages Are on the Rise

Beverages are doing more than ever. Honestly, if they’re not, consumers may start looking elsewhere. People want their drinks to work as hard as they do: hydration plus nutrients, coffee plus protein, and more. One session even suggested consumers may start “drinking their lunch” (more on that to come). This points to a shift toward efficiency-driven consumption, where convenience and functionality matter just as much as taste.

GLP-1 Users Are Influencing Purchasing Behavior

This is not a passing trend. With the rise of GLP-1 medications, consumers are gravitating toward smaller portions and more health-conscious options. That has direct implications for product mix, packaging, and overall merchandising strategy in the breakroom.

Customization Is Becoming the Expectation

From smart coolers with personalized interfaces and handles, like those from SandStar, to customizable beverages from brands like Bevi and TopHealth, personalization is everywhere. Consumers are increasingly conditioned to expect tailored experiences and that expectation is making its way into unattended retail in every way.

Collaborations Are Driving Snack Innovation

Brand partnerships and influencer collaborations are creating buzz (and by buzz, we mean dollars). If major brands are teaming up to capture attention, operators can benefit from that momentum too. Think MrBeast x Jack Link’s or Pringles x Hot Ones. These collaborations bring built-in audiences, brand recognition, and a sense of excitement to products.

Spicy Is Still Dominating

If there’s one flavor profile that continues to show up everywhere, it’s heat. From snacks to beverages, “spicy everything” is still going strong and that doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

Cherry and PB&J Flavors Were Hard to Miss

Peanut butter & jelly and cherry flavors were everywhere. It felt like every other booth had one. Variations of the Shirley Temple flavor, in particular, showed up across many brands like Poppi, Olipop, and Bloom Pop. Nostalgia meets modern RTD beverages and snacks.

What It All Means for Operators

The common thread across these trends is clear: expectations are rising, and operators need to be ready to meet them. Whether it’s personalization, functionality, variety, or overall experience, success will come from getting ahead of demand. Do not wait for clients to ask! Operators who consistently evolve their product mix and technology will be the ones who stand out and win the most clients.