Gastronomy concepts in shopping centers
Nothing beats physical well-being! Attractive and trendy culinary offerings play an important social role in shopping centers. After all, shopping makes you hungry: For many visitors, the gastronomic experience is part of a successful shopping trip. That is why we are significantly expanding the scope and range of our gastronomy offerings and implementing numerous exciting food concepts in the centers.
Modern gastronomy concepts that inspire
Gastronomy in malls is booming - it is desired by customers and is therefore extremely popular. People are increasingly visiting shopping centers for a coffee or a good meal in a pleasant atmosphere with family, friends or business partners - with positive synergy effects between the tenants. Our extensive surveys and analyses have shown that around 60 percent of visitors use the gastronomic offers almost every time they visit the center.
Quality and ambience increasingly important
Nowadays, quality and ambience are more important to customers than they were just a few years ago. And now more than ever, they are prepared to pay higher prices for more individuality and service. Innovative casual and fine dining concepts in particular, which go beyond the classic food court with dishes such as pizza, fries, and Asian snacks, significantly increase the quality of the stay at a center.
Food is good – for people and frequency
When modernizing existing centers, the expansion and upgrading of the gastronomic areas also plays a central role for us. The results: The share of gastronomy in the rental space has increased significantly: For the most recently opened centers, it was around 10 percent, whereas the overall ECE average is around 6 percent. There is no “one-fits-all” solution for this process. We achieve the perfect customized result for each center through a close exchange with the tenants and by adapting the concept to the respective conditions of the center, the environment, and the target groups.
Successful gastronomy concepts - measurable successes
60 %
of the visitors use the gastronomy offerings
81 %
of our visitors are satisfied with the gastronomy offerings
1714
Gastronomy contracts in our centers (2024)
1.1
billion € gastronomy sales in our centers (2018)
66 %
of visitors stay longer in the center if there is a coherent gastronomic offer.
81 %
of visitors are satisfied with the gastronomy offerings in our centers
40 %
of visitors choose a shopping center specifically because of their culinary offerings
Successful Food Partnerships
Long live diversity! Whether the Hamburg start-up Poké You from star chef Karlheinz Hauser and his son Tom, the food truck veterans of Vincent Vegan, or the famous TV chef Steffen Henssler: They have all found a home and great opportunities in our centers to address new target groups.
"We opened our store in the MTZ in 2013 - our second ever - and have continued to grow ever since. Over the years, we have come to appreciate ECE as a strong and reliable business partner, especially in the initial phase of our business start-up, when they provided us with advice and support."
Masoud Kazemian, founder and managing director of "Chidoba - Mexican Grill"
“With a strong and highly professional partner such as ECE at our side, we feel that we are in good hands and strong enough to open up in the next shopping center at any time.”
Christian Kuper, Founder of Vincent Vegan
Lively Food Courts
Foodtopia, MyZeil, Frankfurt
The gastronomy and event floor “Foodtopia” on the fourth floor of the premium center, MyZeil, impresses all guests with its lively market hall flair. Many concepts were created for this gastronomic oasis, which had never existed in the city up to this point. The quality of the visit also sets new standards: Visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Frankfurt skyline from the outdoor terraces and winter garden.
FoodSky, Europa Passage, Hamburg
From a small snack bar to a star restaurant, the modern food court on the top level of the center offers 15 gastronomy establishments with almost 400 common seats as well as five other restaurants. After opening “FoodSky”, visits to Europa Passage increased by more than 25 percent. The gastronomy-related share of the center is now around 20 percent.
Foodloft, ÁRKÁD Budapest, Budapest
Seven restaurants provide visitors to the newly designed gastronomy area of ÁRKÁD Budapest with an agony of choices. Hungry guests are offered almost 500 seats inside the mall and a terrace with another 200 seats. We deliberately focus on trendy, up-and-coming, and high-quality restaurants with a diverse selection of dishes from different nations.