Food is The New Anchor

Written By Benjamin Seldin
Restaurant scene with people eating at tables.

credit: cihanyuce

Food is the new anchor tenant across travel, retail, corporate, and housing.

Whether you’re building a hotel, retail center, office, or multifamily development, food is no longer just an "amenity"—it is the primary driver of foot traffic and asset value.

The data across categories is undeniable:

TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY

  • 60% of summer travelers booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant.

  • 61% selected their entire travel destination based on the food scene.

RETAIL & SHOPPING

  • 45% of consumers visit shopping centers solely to eat or drink.

  • Adding quality food options increases overall shopper dwell time by 30 to 35 minutes.

WORKPLACE & OFFICE

  • Cafés, food halls, and restaurants rank as the #1 amenity employees value most—beating out gyms, outdoor space, and transit access.

HOUSING & RESIDENTIAL

  • 63% of Americans are willing to pay a premium to live in a community walkable to shops and restaurants.

If you aren't prioritizing a curated food and beverage strategy, you're leaving traffic, dwell time, and asset value on the table.

Sources: OpenTable (2026); ICSC (2023); JLL (2024); Gensler (2026); NAR (2026)


Benjamin Seldin
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