BOSSES at Intu Derby are planning to launch five new restaurants at the centre this year.
General manager Dan Murphy said 10,000 sq ft of unused space to the right of the food court was being prepared for the new restaurants.
He said it was part of efforts to turn the shopping centre into a "leisure destination", where shoppers choose to spend an "entire day".
The space is behind a wall where the Sega gaming machines used to be.
It is not yet visible to the public.
Mr Murphy said the restaurants will open later this year and that it was an exciting time for the centre.
"We've just signed two new restaurants and we're fitting out those at the moment, and we're in talks with three or four more," he said.
"What we've found recently is people are more prepared to spend time here and go to a restaurant and we're looking to capitalise on that.
"We're more than confident there's a demand for five more restaurants. This is a tried and tested model that Intu has rolled out across the country."
It is expected the restaurants will create about 100 jobs.
Derby Telegraph readers gave their reaction on Facebook.
Kim Wright welcomed the news, saying: "I think a bit more variation in restaurants would be good."
Lauren Dobson wrote: "We need a John Lewis, not more food places."
And Nikita Rusko said: "I bet one is McDonald's. I'm really shocked they aren't already in there."
