Although consumer spending in food courts declined by three percent last year, hot dog sales in those locales increased by nearly eight percent for the same period. In fact, the hot dog was one of the few food court items that saw sales increase in 2000 - by 7.76 percent. By comparison, hamburger sales in 2000 declined 43 percent from 1999.

Wraps were among the most popular food court entrees, with a sales increase of more than 150 percent. Sales of Chinese food increased 32 percent. Pizza sales increased 14 percent.

The Carlson Report is a shopping center newsletter that tracks sales in food courts.