The competition spans five categories and the awards are presented during the NRA Show in Chicago.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is accepting entries for its 2013 Operator Innovations Awards. The Operator Innovations Awards celebrate restaurant operators who are transforming the industry with extraordinary creativity and commitment to innovation and excellence in execution.

Commercial and non-commercial operators may self-nominate. The NRA also invites nominations from individuals throughout the industry — including manufacturers, dealers and distributors, media and other restaurant and foodservice industry professionals — who have seen first-hand how restaurants are driving progress in the restaurant and foodservice industry, and fueling customer satisfaction and profitability.

Participants can submit nominations online at Restaurant.org/Show/OIAwards through Feb. 4, 2013.

Selected by an independent panel of experts, the Operator Innovations Awards are presented in each of five categories: Food Safety, Health & Nutrition, Menu Development, Sustainability and Technology. Winners in each category will be announced, and one of the category winners will also be named Innovator of the Year, during the event Destination: Celebration on Saturday, May 18 at the 2013 National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show (held May 18-21 at Chicago's McCormick Place).