I think there are two main factors behind that. One, as chain restaurants have increased in number and prevalence they have squeezed out some of the locally owned restaurants. Two, chain restaurants follow the bulldozer of new development. They are in the new plazas built at the new interchanges along the new roads. The local restaurants are in the old town cores and shopping developments of decades past, which are often off the beaten path today.

The widespread usage of Internet handhelds and success of user rating sites such as Yelp is diluting the value of restaurant brand names. One big reason people choose chains is for a predictably acceptable (I won't say "good") experience. They're not interested in the guesswork of picking a no-name alternative. But with a smart phone and Yelp, people can quickly identify which restaurants are liked most. Brands aren't needed so much anymore as indicators of quality.

I was reminded of this as recently as three days ago. Friends and I were in an unfamiliar corner of our metro area at dinner time. We punched up Yelp on our iPhones and quickly zeroed in on an excellent ethnic restaurant we never even would have found, let alone tried, otherwise. And now our 5-star reviews have joined the chorus so that those who find them in the same situation next week, next month, or next year will have an even easier time finding this gem of a family-run restaurant.