National Restaurant Association awards recognize innovation and excellence that drives success in commercial and non-commercial operations.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is accepting nominations for its third annual Operator Innovations Awards (OI Awards). The awards celebrate restaurant operators transforming the industry with extraordinary creativity and commitment to innovation and excellence in execution.

An independent panel of operators from both commercial and non-commercial backgrounds will select three finalists in each of five categories: Health & Nutrition, Marketing, Menu Development, Sustainability and Technology. The panel will select a single winner in each category as well as an Innovator of the Year.

The association will accept nominations online at Restaurant.org/Show/OIAwards through January 17, 2014.

Commercial and non-commercial operators may self-nominate. The NRA also encourages 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, fueling customer satisfaction and profitability.