In the Season 2 premiere of Behind the Tab, we sit down with Will Donaldson of Politan Row to unpack what’s actually happening inside food halls as we head into the new year.

With more than a decade focused exclusively on food halls, Will shares a hospitality-first perspective shaped by restaurant operations, real estate realities, and human behavior. This isn’t a “trends” episode—it’s a reality check.

You’ll hear:

• Why food halls succeed in some markets and struggle in others

• What truly defines a food hall (and what doesn’t)

• The most common mistake new operators make—and why it’s about people, not concepts

• How marketing accountability really works between operators and vendors

• Why small operational moments quietly determine whether guests return

If you care about food halls, shared dining, and building experiences people actually want to spend time in, this episode sets the tone for the year ahead.

Pull up a seat—and press play.