Traulsen Dynamic Response Refrigeration™ with Smart Control™ Recognized with Prestigious 2025 Kitchen Innovations Award

Fort Worth, Texas — Traulsen is pleased to announce that its Dynamic Response Refrigeration™ (DRR) with Smart Control™ technology included in its R/A Series refrigerators and freezers has been selected as a recipient of the prestigious 2025 Kitchen Innovations (KI) Award. The company will feature R/A Series equipment with this technology at the National Restaurant Association Show, May 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago. For over 20 years, the KI Award program has been highlighting the most forward-thinking equipment and technology shaping the future of foodservice operations.

Traulsen designed the DRR technology to provide superior performance, significant operational savings, and sustainability for multiple sizes and configurations of its R/A refrigerator and freezers. The technology reduces energy consumption by approximately 40% (varies by model), lowers noise by around 30%, and meets ENERGY STAR 5.0 standards, helping kitchens enhance efficiency and streamline kitchen operations. 

“We are honored to receive recognition for the innovation behind the DDR with Smart Control and look forward to sharing this technology at the National Restaurant Show,” said Jason Janning, VP and general manager at Traulsen. “This industry-leading show provides a perfect platform to reach foodservice operators who are looking for refrigeration and freezer solutions they can rely on for their longevity, cost savings, and consistent performance.”

The multi-patented Smart Control and Variable Speed Compressor (VSC), along with a specially constructed cabinet design, combine to drive the DRR technology. Through smart sensors, Smart Control provides a proactive response to environmental changes in the kitchen. It constantly monitors and reacts to door openings and ambient conditions to enhance performance by predicting and responding to heat and humidity changes. The results are improved efficiency and better cabinet conditions that help support food safety and quality. 

The VSC technology dynamically adjusts to cooling demands by responding to changes in ambient temperatures, frequent door openings, and heavy product loads within the refrigerator or freezer. By reducing energy usage, the VSC provides users with the peace of mind that they have a cost-effective, sustainable, and yet completely reliable cooling solution even during peak service hours. 

As a 2025 awardee, Traulsen will showcase equipment featuring DRR with Smart Control in the dedicated KI Showroom booth #4098 during the event, allowing attendees to experience firsthand the products and technology shaping the future of foodservice.

“We are thrilled to honor this year’s recipients of the 2025 Kitchen Innovations Award,” said Tom Cindric, president of the National Restaurant Association Show. “Each year, the KI Awards highlight the most advanced solutions that are tackling today’s biggest challenges in foodservice. This year’s awardees are leading the way in automation, sustainability, and efficiency, helping operators optimize their kitchens and drive profitability.”

As the premier trade show for the global restaurant and hospitality industry, the National Restaurant Association Show is the ultimate destination to explore the latest trends, products, and technologies shaping the future of food service.

For more information, visit NationalRestaurantShow.com.

About Traulsen

Traulsen, an ITW Food Equipment Group brand, has been providing the most trusted refrigeration equipment for foodservice and food retail operations since 1938. Traulsen offers a broad refrigeration product offering that includes reach-ins, roll-ins, undercounters, blast chillers, prep tables, merchandisers and milk coolers. Traulsen is part of ITW Food Equipment Group LLC (a subsidiary of Illinois Tool Works) and is proud to be an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2008. To learn more about Traulsen, visit Traulsen.com or connect with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/Traulsen. 

About the National Restaurant Show

Awarded by Trade Show Executive as the 2023 Gold 100 Grand winner of the largest trade show managed by an independent organizer, the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the Western Hemisphere's most influential food service event showcasing industry innovations and trends. Each year (starting in 1919), the Show brings together restaurant operators and food service professionals for four days of celebrity-led demos, exhibits, sampling, education, and networking. The Show unites a global community and enables exploration of the latest advancements in food, beverage, equipment, technology, and solutions, driving the industry forward. The Show is owned and operated by Informa in partnership with the National Restaurant Association. Visit www.nationalrestaurantshow.com for more information.

About Informa

Informa is a leading international B2B markets, live and on-demand events and digital services group. They connect businesses and professionals in 30+ industries with the knowledge they need to learn more, know more, and do more. Informa has hundreds of global brands, products, and services and employs 11,000 employees in ~30 countries worldwide.

Informa Connect is a content-led, live, and on-demand experiences business that connects professionals with knowledge, ideas, and opportunities. Informa Connect, a community of over 1,000 colleagues globally, offers connections through events, media, and research. They serve a number of different industries, including Food Service, Finance, Bio Tech and Pharma, Pop Culture, Marketing, Law, Energy, HR, Sustainability, and Construction. Visit www.informaconnect.com for more information.