Food halls are one of the latest trends in the hospitality industry. But what exactly is the attraction for diners? Can you adapt your business to capture some of this market? Horizon Hospitality, leaders in restaurant recruitment, shares some insights that can help you capitalize on this development.

What Exactly Is a Food Hall?

It’s an upscale, mixed-used venue where guests can shop and eat, often in communal dining spaces. A logical extension of the locavore movement, it provides a place to examine the wares of local artisans in an unhurried atmosphere. Shoppers can take a break for a meal or snack at one of the many dining spaces.

Food halls imitate the way people shopped before supermarkets and big box stores arrived on the scene, visiting several specialized shops for the week’s (or the day’s) groceries, rather than stocking up in a megamarket.

How Can Restaurateurs Take Advantage of This Trend?

Think Small

Ready to expand? Rather than adding onto your current site or shopping for new a location in a strip mall, look for opportunities to open a small location within a marketplace venue. There are currently food halls in NYC, Chicago and Los Angeles. Locations in Washington, Boston and Philadelphia are expected soon. It’s likely only a matter of time before a city near you adds a food hall. Why not be a trailblazer and get there first?

Not ready to jump into a food hall space yet? Adopt some of the selling points that make food halls attractive to diners.

Focus on the Local

Set your business apart by using local ingredients. People who visit food halls want an immersive experience –not chain-style dining.

Service Never Goes out of Style

Many diners enjoy the personal service that the food hall experience offers.  No matter what kind of restaurant you have, offering outstanding service is the number one way to keep people coming back. Great service costs nothing but pays dividends.

Looking for a staffing partner who truly understands the hospitality industry? The restaurant recruitment experts at Horizon Hospitality can help you find and attract top hospitality talent – and keep you with the latest industry trends. Contact us today to learn more or begin your search.