A Room Full of Buyers
Hundreds of decision-making operators walk the floor ready to taste, ask, and commit. Face time you can’t buy anywhere else in the market.
Qualified Operators, One Day
Supplier & Vendor Information
Everything You Need to
Win the Floor.
For our supplier partners and brokers, the FoodCentric Fall Experience is the single best day of the year to put your brands in front of buying operators. Here’s every date, deadline, form, and detail to make your booth a success.
- Show Date
- Wed · Oct 28, 2026
- Set-Up
- Tue · Oct 27
- Venue
- Bradenton Area Convention Center
Booth Registration Deadline: August 7, 2026
Mark Your Calendar
Important Show Dates & Deadlines.
All the dates that matter, in one place. Booth registration and new-item requests both close August 7.
Milestone
Date
Booth Registration Period
Jun 24 – Aug 7, 2026
Booth Registration Deadline
Aug 7, 2026
New Item Request Deadline
Aug 7, 2026
Item Allowance Negotiation
Jul 24 – Aug 21, 2026
Booth Electrical Order Deadline
Oct 2, 2026
Show Sample Submission Deadline
Oct 2, 2026
Show Set-Up
Tue, Oct 27 · 7a – 5p
Show Day
Wed, Oct 28 · 9:30a – 3:30p
Allowance Dates
Dec 6, 2026 – Mar 27, 2027
Customer Shipping Dates
Dec 20, 2026 – Mar 27, 2027
This Is Where Partners Win Business
Six Reasons to Own the Room.
FoodCentric Fall is the single best day of the year to put your brands in front of hundreds of buying operators.
Move Cases, Fast
Show-floor sampling and event pricing turn interest into orders on the spot. Operators leave with your product on their next menu.
Sampling That Converts
Showcase Your Brand
An elevated, elegant setting that makes your products look as premium as they taste — the backdrop your brand deserves.
Premium Brand Stage
Strengthen Rep Relationships
Shoulder-to-shoulder with the PFG sales team and brokers who carry your line every day — align, coach, and build pull-through together.
Sell-Through, Together
Own a Trend
Position your brand at the front of menu innovation. Operators come looking for what’s next — make sure it’s yours they remember.
Be the Idea They Take Home
Prizes Drive the Floor
Elite prizes, two grand-prize giveaways, and a scavenger hunt keep operators moving booth to booth — straight to yours.
Traffic to Every Booth
On The Floor
General Show & Booth Information.
Everything you need to know to plan your booth, prep your samples, and run a smooth show day. Theme: Elegant — Black & Gold with a Splash of Red.
General Show Information
- Set-Up: Tuesday, Oct 27, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Show Day: Wednesday, Oct 28, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm. Floor opens at 7:00 am.
- No frying or open flame allowed on the show floor. Sterno fuel is acceptable.
- Bring a fire extinguisher if cooking in your booth.
- You’ll have access to the facility kitchen — bring your own prep supplies & cooking tools.
- Fryers & flat-top grill available outside in the mobile kitchen show day, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm.
- Clean your area and remove all leftover product from the kitchen/coolers. Leave spaces better than you found them.
Booth Etiquette
- Full booths: two 8' tables placed in an “L”-shaped format.
- Half booths: one 8' table placed lengthwise on each side of the booth.
- Be creative in your menu ideations and plate presentations.
- Keep your booth clean, organized, and display fresh product throughout the day.
- Avoid phone use, eating, or private conversations while on booth duty.
- Wear gloves and proper hair protection if serving food.
- Do not break down your booth until after the show ends at 3:30 pm.
- Tall pop-up banners aren’t allowed in booths (a designated pop-up area is provided). Broker table banners aren’t allowed; supplier logos are ok.
vFairs & iPads
- Every supplier/broker must check out an iPad and use it to take orders & leads. This is a selling show!
- Mandatory iPad training: 11:00, 1:00, 3:00 on set-up day, and 8:00 am the morning of the show.
Product Delivery
- Dry samples delivered to your booth Tuesday starting at 7:00 am.
- Frozen sample truck arrives Wednesday by 7:00 am — pick up refrigerated samples at the truck.
- Ice available in 10 lb. bags on show day at the truck.
Samples
- Request samples when negotiating item allowances through the vFairs portal.
- Deadline to submit show samples: Oct 2, 2026.
- Requests after Oct 2 must go to Customer Service and be picked up at the Dover Warehouse (will-call).
- Do not ship sample products to our warehouse — all samples are pulled from warehouse inventory.
- Feeding Tampa Bay handles donated product after the show — place donations on your booth back table.
New Items & Allowances
- New item requests close Aug 7, 2026. Approved new items are billed a $500.00 onboarding fee.
- Item allowance negotiation runs Jul 24 – Aug 21, 2026.
- Area Manager .10¢ promotion available — see the flyer in Forms & Downloads.
Forms & Downloads
Everything You Need to File.
All supplier forms, checklists, maps, and training resources in one list. Links open in a new tab.
Cooking Demos
Live Chef Demonstrations.
Our featured chefs will be cooking live on the floor throughout show day.
Italian Cuisine
Chef Enzo Ferrante
Specializes in Italian cuisine and will be making his specialty Italian pizza live.
Center of Plate
Chef Mario Silvestri
Specializes in all things culinary — will be cooking steak live.
Gourmet & Seafood
Chef Keith Suarino
Specializes in gourmet foods of all segments — will be cooking seafood dishes live.
Convenience Is Our Specialty
Exclusive Licensed Programs.
Turnkey, made-to-order foodservice programs with no franchise or royalty fees — designed to serve guests wherever they dine.
Perfectly Southern® Fresh Fried Chicken
Perfectly seasoned, crispy Southern breading and a full complement of comfort food favorites — the premier turnkey partner program for fried chicken lovers.
Learn More →The Red Seal Pizzeria™
The Red Seal Pizzeria™ marketing program gives you all the tools to open a full-service, made-to-order pizza kitchen.
Learn More →Contigo Taqueria™
A delicious menu of authentic Mexican and Southwest products — easily broaden your offerings in one of the fastest-growing foodservice segments.
Learn More →Zebec Mediterranean Café™
Delicious gyros, chicken skewers, falafel, and chicken and pork shawarma with the convenience of heat-and-serve products.
Learn More →Grab A Burger™
Your all-in-one solution to launching a thriving quick-service hamburger operation on your terms — without the costs and corporate controls of the big guys.
Learn More →Amazin’ Asian™
Brings together the rich culinary traditions of the vast regions of Asia into a flavorful quick-service dining experience.
Learn More →Tru-Q BBQ™
Authentic BBQ in a quick-serve format — brisket, pork butt and shoulders, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, and the sides Americans crave.
Learn More →Deli 55™
The best of the best in a full range of deli foods — signature sandwiches, hearty soups, crisp salads, subs, paninis, burgers, and hot dogs.
Learn More →FoodCentric Event Team
Questions? Reach the Team.
Our marketing team is here to help you make the most of the show.
Questions About the Show?
Our marketing team is here to help you make the most of the day — from booth setup to technical support.