There are more independent restaurants than there are chains in San Antonio

[majormadmax]

There's so many taquerías in San Antonio that you can't swing a dead cat without hitting one!

And Mike, you forgot tourism!

All said, I prefer independent restaurants over chains. More often the food is better, but when I'm traveling I will sometimes bend that rule simply because I can't afford a bout of food poisoning when I'm on the road!

Cheers! M2

[Fumblefingers O'Mel]

Originally Posted by teenwolf80

According to NPD Group out of Chicago, as of November 2012, here is how the breakdown of independent and chains goes in San Antonio.

Independent: 2,431 restaurants

Chain: 2,395 restaurants

Here's more information from the SA Bizjournal detailing a 4% growth in restaurants from 2011 to 2012.

San Antonio sees rise in restaurant scene, NPD reports - San Antonio Business Journal

These are city numbers, not metro.

This may be better posted in the restaurant thread and if a mod thinks it belongs there and moves it there, I understand.

Just curious, but are they counting the individual taco wagons scattered throughout town?

[teenwolf80]

Originally Posted by goodmanm

So someone owns two McDonald's.....is he classed as independent? Or does the 'brand' automatically include the person in the restaurant chain category?

McDonalds is a chain.

[teenwolf80]

Originally Posted by Fumblefingers O'Mel

Just curious, but are they counting the individual taco wagons scattered throughout town?

No. Brick and mortar.

[pr57001]

Interesting statistic, but without context, what does it mean? Is the split between chain / independent above or below the Texas average? National Average?

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by teenwolf80

McDonalds is a chain.

Actually, it's not. Semantics aside, McD's is a franchise. Has been since Ray Kroc opened his own franchise and decided to buy out the McD Brothers in 1955.

More info on the difference: franchise vs. chain store?



BN

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by BenjaminNicholas

Actually, it's not. Semantics aside, McD's is a franchise. Has been since Ray Kroc opened his own franchise and decided to buy out the McD Brothers in 1955.

More info on the difference: franchise vs. chain store?



BN

I would assume more that two locations means the same restaurant regardless of the owner.

[BenjaminNicholas]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

I would assume more that two locations means the same restaurant regardless of the owner.

I understand, but it was the usage of chain vs franchise I was correcting.

It's a lot like when folks say 'direct' in relation to airline flights when they actually mean 'non-stop.'

As with most things in life, there's a correct way to refer to things and an incorrect way. I'd rather be corrected and then know I wasn't embarrassing myself in the future.




BN

[teenwolf80]

Originally Posted by pr57001

Interesting statistic, but without context, what does it mean? Is the split between chain / independent above or below the Texas average? National Average?

National average was less than 1 percent.

[teenwolf80]

Originally Posted by BenjaminNicholas

Actually, it's not.

Actually it is. Your superfluous need to correct people aside.

With regards to context, the NPD Group listing chain vs. independent growth, McDonalds would be listed as a chain and not an independent.