What to Expect From ThinkFoodGroup’s Upcoming Hudson Yards Food Hall

ThinkFoodGroup, the company behind brands such as Beefsteak and Zaytinya, is embarking on perhaps its most ambitious project to date: a 35,000 square foot food hall in the Hudson Yards area of New York City. Mercado Little Spain, which opens next year, will have three restaurants, a number of kiosks serving dishes such as pan de cristal and churros, as well as retail offerings. Food halls aren't new but Eric Martino, chief operating officer at ThinkFoodGroup, believes the space will be a success because it will tell an authentic story of Spanish cuisine. "I think the difference is the story. It's going to [be] a celebration of Spain," Martino said Monday at Skift Restaurants Forum in New York City "I think the whole space is going to tell and amazing story." Martino said he expected the project to be profitable and with "good margins." To realize the project, ThinkFoodGroup will have to hire plenty of staff — a difficult process given the current labor shortage. Martino said