Food courts in shopping centers, their design and photos. Foodcourt - what is it?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

For a long time, large shopping centers have become a place of pleasant pastime for the whole family. After walking through numerous boutiques, buying a lot of useful things, you want to have a good rest. Here at your disposal - cinemas, slot machines, and for children - trains or electric cars.

Pretty hungry, exhausted by an abundance of emotions, visitors to shopping centers go straight to where they can eat deliciously. But many do not even realize that such areas are called food courts. And seeing colorful signs, they ask themselves: “Food court - what is it? You should definitely go there!”

What are food courts?

Food courts in shopping centers are a combination of several fast food outlets on one common area. As a rule, they belong to different companies. Each has its own menu, prices and level of service. Such fast food outlets are designed according to the general image of the company. Each food court is sure to be supplied with designer lightboxes. What it is, too, many do not know, although probably everyone has seen them. The lightbox is a luminous board with tempting appetizing promotional pictures.

Despitethe fact that several companies work side by side in one large room, the visitors' accommodation area is shared. The entire free area of the food court is filled with a large number of dining areas. Another distinctive feature of such restaurants is self-service. With one small exception: dishes are cleaned after visitors by local staff.

Modern designers equip the overall interior of food courts as comfortable and cozy as possible, so that visitors want to come back here every time. One of the brightest representatives of such a fast food outlet is the "European" food court. It is located in the shopping center of the same name in Moscow. And European is notable for a large number of restaurants in it and very comfortable dining areas.

Food court functions

Fast and delicious food - this is the key principle of the fast food zone, as it may seem at first glance to the average man in the street. But it is not so. The main thing is to have a food court on the top floor. What does it give? Everything is very simple. To get to the dining area of a huge mall, the shopper has to go through numerous shops with tempting storefronts. In this case, the chance of increasing the profit of outlets increases. After all, many people come to shopping centers not for shopping, but to enjoy the delights of modern fast food.

The second, but no less important function than managing the flow of visitors is the time of work. It is important that the food court in the shopping center is open even afterclosure of shopping pavilions and could serve visitors to entertainment complexes.

Food Court Location

The location on the top floor of the food court is also explained by the large number of emergency exits and specially arranged ventilation. But in which place of the vast area of the last floor there will be a cafe on the food court is also important. Its most advantageous location is where the best view of all shop windows of trade pavilions is. Such bread places are rented out by the owners of shopping centers at the last moment, because the demand for them is especially high at any time.

The most profitable option is to place a food court in the center of the trading floor. What this will bring is obvious: a full 360-degree view of all showcases. And visitors to any boutique will certainly be tempted by the alluring smells that appetizingly spread to the entire floor.

Therefore, the location of the food court on the ground floor, as well as a separate entrance to it, is inappropriate. If the shopping center is one-story, then the food court is set up at the very end of the trading floor, so that the visitor takes something with him on the way there.

Foodhall - a new generation of food courts

Fast, tasty, and most importantly, inexpensive - these are the main criteria for the nutrition of our compatriots. Many do not care that all this deliciousness is made from semi-finished products that are not of high quality and first freshness. But this situation is in our country, but in Europe people have revised their views on the diet. And the food hall replaced the already familiar andfavorite food court. What it is, many of us have no idea.

The first food hall in Italy appeared. According to the principle of the device, it is very similar to the traditional food court. But the food hall menu has in its arsenal fast and tasty, but at the same time, the most he althy dishes. They are analogues of restaurant masterpieces. Of course, the price is several times higher than fast food, but Italians put he alth higher. That is why food halls have become widespread and more popular than the notorious fast food restaurants.

Of course, we are out of the question of organizing such he althy food catering. After all, natural products will raise the price of dishes so much that many will stop visiting food courts in shopping centers and switch to food of unknown origin - shawarma and stall belyashi. However, if you find accommodating suppliers of fresh products, then there will be no end to customers in the food hall. But today in our country it is only a dream…

Fast food business for beginners

A rather tempting and profitable idea is to organize your own restaurant in the common area of the food court. But what should be taken into account and where to start a beginner in this business? And is there even a chance to break through among the venerable competitors? Let's try to understand all the nuances of this case.

Making Connections

If you do not have experience in the restaurant business and good acquaintances among the management of the shopping center, then the idea of organizing a fast food restaurant will not be profitable. Because during the competitive selection for the location of the point inthe food court favors branded firms. But often, if there are places, and there is a shortage of restaurateurs, there is a chance to prove themselves. And if you have good friends in the management circles of the shopping center, then the chances of getting a bread place are doubled.

Presentation

Even if you are an experienced restaurateur, making a competent presentation of your future outlet will only be a plus. It should include a menu developed to the smallest detail, the design of the place, the price of dishes, as well as a convenient communication project that is beneficial just for you.

Checking out

After obtaining the desired location and signing an agreement with the management of the shopping center, you need to start registering a fast food restaurant. It requires special permits from certain authorities.

But in addition to allowing the management of the shopping center to work in the food court, considerable funding will be required. Although the business idea itself is almost a win-win, it can turn out to be unprofitable at first. Therefore, it would be more expedient to open several outlets.

Proceeding from this, the organization of fast food in the food court of a large shopping center is more profitable for chain operators who have been working in this area for more than one year. Yes, and preference in 96% of cases is given to them, and not to beginners, even with a super-profitable business plan.

Foodcourt interior

It is the general design and location that determines how profitable the food court will be. The photos below show some of the most enticing food court designs.

The design idea itselfimplies a laconic combination of coziness and comfort with functionality and aesthetics. At the same time, the design of the food court differs from the general atmosphere of the shopping center, it draws attention to itself, inviting you to come in.

Furniture plays an important role in the decor of the food court. The first food courts were organized on the principle of "quickly eat and leave", so the dining areas were not comfortable and carried only a functional load. However, today the concept has changed. And the creators of the overall interior must arrange everything so that the visitor stays here longer and next time he will definitely come here.

Furniture is chosen according to this principle - comfortable plastic or soft chairs, and in many restaurants and mini-sofas. They are perfectly complemented by comfortable tables, made in such a way that an ordinary snack at them turns into a dinner party. And the most automated lines for receiving and issuing orders significantly increase the speed of customer service.

The main rule of food court design is maximum comfort and dining areas. And don't forget originality. After all, it is the appearance that lures the visitor to get acquainted with the menu, and its comfort conquers and makes them come here again and again.