Retail giant Walmart is preparing to launch a new venture that aims to elevate the dining experience of its shoppers.
The grocery chain is launching mini food courts for shoppers. Walmart will be testing the new dining concept to shoppers in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, as first reported by AOL.
The new food hall will offer patrons the choice between eight restaurants serving dishes of varying cuisines. The food hall will include Mediterranean food from Yasas by Michael Symon, pizza made by Chef Michele D' Amelio, and sweets from Magnolia Bakery and Milk Bar. Other restaurants will also serve wings, barbecue, burritos, and other dishes.
Behind Walmart's Food Hall Concept
Walmart's new food hall venture was created by Marc Lore-the company's former U.S. eCommerce CEO-by way of his food delivery company, Wonder Group. Lore launched the Wonder Group with the intention of introducing gourmet food to people in its area. The food delivery company used locally sourced and seasonal ingredients for its consumers. With the help of celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay and its dedication to reducing waste by donating unused food to several organizations, Wonder Group has solidified its standing with consumers.
Walmart's plan came after it was announced that Wonder was opening a storefront inside a Walmart in Quakertown.
Wonder Group sells as many as 500 items available for order at any given location, with 28 distinct menus for consumers to choose from. It is unclear whether its food hall in Walmart will also offer an expansive menu to shoppers.
Wonder's chief growth marketing officer Daniel Shlossman believes the company will provide shoppers with an "elevated level of dining" typical in restaurants.
"We do expect customers to place orders maybe when they are heading into the Walmart, and the food is going to be right there ready for them for pickup when they're leaving," Shlossman said. "We also see people that are maybe in the middle of running errands, and they've just made their Walmart run, and they can stop off and have a bite before they head to their next destination. So, we see lots of use cases."
After it opens its test food court in Quakertown, Walmart plans to open 25 more mini food hall locations by the end of 2024.
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