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Hey GoTabbers,
If you have followed GoTab for a while, you know that food halls are a major focus for us. For years, we have invested in building the technology, workflows, and best practices that help food halls run smoothly while creating a better guest experience.
That is why this moment feels so meaningful to us.
We are proud to announce that we are partnering with our longtime customer, The Market at Malcolm Yards, to host a first-of-its-kind industry event:
THE FUTURE OF FOOD HALLS CONFERENCE
Minneapolis, MN | April 15, 2026
We are also grateful to be joined by our partners PourMyBev, Tripleseat, and FireTen Hospitality, whose support and belief in this space make this possible. This conference is designed to bring together food hall owners, operators, real estate developers, and culinary entrepreneurs to talk about what comes next for the model, from operations to finances to the guest experience.
In this issue, we are also sharing the story of Anderson Market, a food hall that has built a true neighborhood hub by rethinking how guests order, pay, and move through the space. Their case study shows what is possible when technology supports the way people actually gather and dine.
If you are interested in sharing your own story, joining a panel or sponsoring at the Future of Food Halls Conference, we would love to hear from you. Reply to this email or reach out to Colin Carrig to start the conversation.
Early bird pricing ends March 15.
We invite you to join the leaders shaping the next chapter of food halls.
Patricia Mejia
GoTab Chief Cheer Leader, Bottle Washer and CMO!✊
Anderson Market is far more than a traditional food hall. It is a 9,000 square foot neighborhood market designed to feel personal, flexible, and easy to enjoy. Founder Chris Viola of the Culture Collective Hospitality Group, set out to create a place where people could grab a meal, shop for groceries, pick up prepared foods, or buy fresh seafood by the pound, all in one visit.
Home to seven independent vendors, the space brings together many different ways to order and pay. That variety is what makes Anderson Market special, but it also adds complexity behind the scenes. Chris and his team needed a system that could keep things simple for guests and smooth for vendors, even during the busiest times of day.
To make that possible, GoTab built an entirely new feature specifically for Anderson Market: in-counter scanning with embedded barcodes. This provides a full self check-out experience that lets guests order and pay right at the counter without slowing things down. The solution works so well that we are making it available to everyone.
The result is shorter lines, smoother operations, and better data for the team, all while keeping the warm, neighborhood feel that makes Anderson Market such a special place.
Read the full Anderson Market Story>
The Season 2 premiere of the Behind the Tab podcast features Will Donaldson, founder of Politan Row and one of the most experienced pure-play food hall operators in the country. In this episode, Will talks about what really matters in food halls today, including how they should feel, how they should work, and what operators need to focus on to make them successful in 2026 and beyond.
Will’s story starts in restaurants, not real estate. That background gives him a fresh perspective on what makes great food halls work, with a focus on experience, people, and thoughtful execution.
Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing conversations with moderators and panelists from the Future of Food Halls Conference. Subscribe today to get each new Behind the Tab episode wherever you listen to your podcasts.
"GoTab helped us create a seamless experience for guests and vendors alike. The flexibility of the platform lets us operate like a true neighborhood hub, not just a place to grab a quick bite." —Chris Viola, Anderson Market
