When was the food court invented?

The concept of the food court as we know it today began to take shape in the 1970s, particularly with the development of shopping malls in the United States. The first modern food court is often credited to the 1971 opening of the Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota. This innovation allowed consumers to enjoy a variety of food options in a communal dining space, revolutionizing the dining experience in retail environments.