Understand everything about the food court trend

For several years now, the concept of food courts has been making waves in the global restaurant industry. After a rocky start here in France, it finally seems to have won over the hearts of the French. From the definition to the benefits for consumers and business owners, and step-by-step guidance on how to get started—we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the new food court trend in France!

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Food courts under the microscope 

In your opinion, when did the concept of a food court first emerge?

Let us guess—you wouldn’t think he’s older than 30, would you? Well, he was born in 1970 in shopping malls across America and Asia. Back then, the concept wasn’t what it is today. The goal of food courts at the time was to feed as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Fast food reigned supreme there. 

Gradually, the format was modernized and made its appearance in Europe in 2010.

Food courts are also known as food halls. The basic idea remains the same, i.e. a food court federating several restaurants around a common room where the consumer buys his meal at the stand of his choice and then sits at one of the tables. However, these spaces now offer other complementary services and a varied, quality culinary offer. The customer experience is just as important as the food itself.

Today the words food court and food hall are used to designate the same concept, but we will see later that some subtleties distinguish them.

👉 To go further: discover all the trends in the restaurant industry

An attractive concept for consumers

Take off your entrepreneur's hat for a moment and put on the end customer's hat. You'll understand why consumers are so keen on short food. 

The practical aspect is what naturally comes to mind. Today, these places aim to bring together a wide variety of dining options in one single location. You can grab a drink, enjoy a pastry, pizza, falafel, or a bo bun—there’s something for everyone’s culinary tastes. Say goodbye to the hassle of finding a restaurant that satisfies everyone’s tastes—the food court is a win-win for everyone!

Beyond the variety of restaurants, there’s a unique, warm, and friendly atmosphere. It’s a joyful, organized chaos! You can eat seated, standing, with family, or with friends—and you might even end up sharing a table with strangers. Open 7 days a week, from morning to night, food halls are perfect for an early breakfast, a late snack, or an aperitif that goes on and on. 

These venues, with their unique and surprising settings, are also ideal for hosting events where gastronomy and culture come together. In fact, at the intersection of dining and event planning, you might just find yourself attending a country music concert right next to a burger stand, a Beaujolais Nouveau tasting, or a special “Week of Taste” event. The concept of “cultural dining” is here! Everything is designed to foster interaction and a cheerful atmosphere, allowing diners to enjoy a truly memorable culinary experience—and much more.

Food courts also meet the expectations of 21st century gourmands. Constantly animated, these innovative places have the gift of surprising customers at each visit. Know-how, craftsmanship, quality and transparency are also part of the values of many food halls, values to which consumers are more and more sensitive.

They also encourage culinary experimentation. You might never have voluntarily gone to an Afghan or African restaurant, but now that you’re standing in front of the food stall, it’s easier to be tempted by some bandjan bourani or mafé, isn’t it?

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Why open a food court? 

Now, yes, you can put your restaurant entrepreneur hat back on! Food courts offer many benefits for consumers, but the same is true for you, the restaurant professionals.

Here are 6 good reasons why you should be excited about this concept:

1. As these places are real poles of attraction, they allow managers to make economies of scale on expenses such as maintenance and security personnel, wifi and telephone service, dishwashing, sanitary facilities, etc. Some even go so far as to call on the same brand to equip all the corners with electrical appliances, furniture or dishes. Some even go so far as to call on the same brand to equip all the corners with electrical appliances, furniture or crockery.

2. All the benefits previously mentioned are also true for the restaurant owners in charge of the different corners. Pooling of expenses, promotion of know-how, maximization of flows are all strong arguments that you can use to convince the professionals you are targeting to join the adventure.

3. You will make savings in terms of communication. The publicity realized by this culinary space, then the fame of the place benefit to your food court but also to all the restaurant owners and caterers who work there. And vice versa!

4. Crowds attract crowds! Lesser-known restaurants with great potential will not suffer from the line-up at the doors of the neighboring restaurant, on the contrary. On the contrary, they will be able to take advantage of the traffic that the latter generates and make their brand visible. The next time, consumers will come for them. So many customers who will come back to your food court.

5. Whether you are the originator or not, cultural events attract customers and allow you to showcase real expertise and do it in a way that makes a lasting impression.

6. Finally, the food halls lead to professional emulation. The different restaurateurs present in your food court will be able to challenge each other and progress continuously by learning from their neighbors whose passion they share or by collaborating with them. As a result, the whole food court goes to the next level!

👉 Learn more: How the Boom Boom Villette food court handles over 4,000 orders a day with ease

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How to open a food hall?

In order to prepare the opening of a food court, you will have to integrate all the conceptualization and operation hypotheses in your business model.

Here are a few things you need to consider.

Financial projections

To be profitable as soon as possible, anticipate as much as possible and build a concrete battle plan: attendance forecasts by consumption moment, average ticket, turnover, charges and expenses, return on investment, depreciation, etc. 

👉 Further information: A guide to drawing up a business plan for your food court

The status of the restaurant area 

You have two options: 

• the food court, which is a space that brings together several restaurant chains, especially fast food chains, and whose main objective is service efficiency.
• and the food hall, a place that combines catering and retail (purchase of products) that allows consumers to live a real culinary experience.

The concept

Then, you will have to think about the values of your food court, the hours, the design (decoration, furniture, lighting, music), the atmosphere as well as the prices you will propose. Keep in mind the desire to create a unique and original concept.  

Then comes the time to define the Food & Beverage & Entertainment program and the layout of the bars and the different kiosks.

Target audience and location

Obviously, you will have to prioritize an area where there is a lot of traffic. Depending on the target clientele, you may choose an area close to offices, in a shopping center, in a place frequented by tourists, etc. Make sure that the location is easily accessible and well served by public transportation.

Online and offline communication channels

To promote your food court, you will have to think big! Considering the size of the place, communication is crucial to attract enough customers every day.

Going through a dedicated communication agency represents a cost but allows you to be surrounded by professionals who will know how to optimize your marketing budget to create a buzz around your place.

The customer experience 

In addition to offering a unique culinary experience, a food court must also be fun and innovative to surprise consumers. To achieve this, digital technology is a major asset, as it facilitates order-taking and payment. From kiosks to ordering at the table via QR Code, there's no shortage of innovations!

👉 Going further: 6 tips to improve order-taking in a food court

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The food court and corner management solution

From order taking to collection, preparation, delivery or activity management, nothing must be left to chance!

Given the complexity of setting up and managing a food court, it is essential to be accompanied by a trusted player such as Innovorder, whose expertise in this area is essential. Favoring a single ecosystem also means you don't have to depend on several service providers who could pass the buck in case of bugs.

Zoning

The zoning, in other words the definition of the different spaces, is not to be taken lightly. In addition to the bars and stands, you will also need to plan storage areas, order preparation and dispatch areas, a checkroom, a laundry room, etc.

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The 3 key success factors of short food

1. The place

The place plays an enormous importance. You have to bet on spaces with history and atypical architecture. Many food courts owe their existence to places diverted from their original use, such as industrial wastelands or an old library. 

2. The culinary offer

The second key to success is, of course, the culinary offerings. These must not only be varied—to appeal to as many palates as possible—but also high-quality and affordable. The real challenge is to offer a menu that combines elaborate dishes with casual fare, as well as options that showcase local expertise and international cuisine. Just as you would in your own restaurant, you must, of course, stay attuned to consumer trends and demands. Today, consumers are seeking innovation and transparency, and they’re committed to eating more responsibly. Speaking of which, have you heard of the “fast good” trend ? Today, customers want to eat healthier, faster, and without spending more money.

3. Space optimization

Finally, to give yourself the best chance of success, think about how you organize the space. It shouldn’t be crammed with booths and tables. It’s essential to ensure the venue is versatile —it shouldn’t just be a place to eat. It needs to be able to host workshops, exhibits, pop-up stores, concerts, or even conferences. Customers tasting truffle pasta while listening to a passionate winemaker share his story—that’s what food courts are all about!

👉 8 tips to avoid food waste in restaurants

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Overview of French food courts

France, too, has been caught up in the food short game.

Food courts in Paris

Among the best-known are, in Paris : 

• Food Society in the heart of the Ateliers Gaîté, near the Montparnasse train station,
• Food court Galeries Lafayette in the basement of the very popular store on the Champs-Élysées.

But also two customers, convinced by our solutions:

• Ground Control where several catering options are available in a former postal sorting center near the Gare de Lyon, equipped with Innovorder checkouts.
• Suprem Food Court, opened in the fall of 2022 in the heart of La Défense and equipped with kiosks, checkouts and KDS Innovorder.

Food court in Lyon

• Le Food Traboule

Food court in Nantes

• The MAGMAA Food Hall

Food court in Bordeaux

• Les Halles de Bacalan

Food court in Lille

• The Kitchen Market and Marmites

Food court in Marseille

• Les Grandes Halles du Vieux-Port

Food courts in Europe

At the gates of France, we also find Food Allen in Amsterdam, Time Out Market in Lisbon, El Nacional in Barcelona, Dinamera in London or Mathallen in Oslo.

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You want to open a food court and are looking for a partner to help you digitalize your establishment? Innovorder is the only player in France to offer a complete ecosystem designed specifically for food courts: order taking, collection, preparation, delivery and management!

👉 Discover our solution for food courts: Innovorder Foodcourt