Malls use food to lure in customers

Shopping is no longer the primary reason for mall visits; malls are adapting.

January 10, 2025

Din Tai Fung dumplings and cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory

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Food is now the main draw for malls, representing a significant shift from years past in the primary reason for mall visits.

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According to a Yelp report published in October, 17 of the 25 most popular mall brands were restaurants. The Cheesecake Factory and Din Tai Fung sit at #1 and #2, respectively, ahead of mall staples like Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, Sephora, and AMC.

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Malls are adapting quickly to the changes in consumer preferences. Restaurants, which used to only account for 5-10% of a mall’s general leasing area, now make up 20-30% of some shopping centers, and that’s 100% by design.

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While upscale, full-service restaurants have adequately supplemented food courts, don’t expect malls to support much fine dining anytime soon. The typical mall environment doesn’t align with the atmosphere and expectations of a fine dining experience yet.