INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Together through thick and thin: How does the survival of neighboring restaurants matter?

Zhou, Bo; Li, Zhao Rui; Yang, Yang

Abstract

This study employs a spatial autologistic approach to empirically estimate the spillover effects of restaurant survival within a specific geographical scale. In particular, the study includes two sample groups: 37,761 observations from a normal period (January 1, 2015-December 31, 2019) and 38,170 observations from a COVID crisis period (January 1, 2020-December 31, 2022). Results indicate that the survival of the neighboring restaurants positively enhances a given restaurant’s survival probability. In particular, the positive spillover effect of restaurant survival for both normal and crisis periods occurs mainly within a 400-meter radius. During the normal period, the spillover effect among quick-service and casual dining restaurants is stronger than among fullservice restaurants; however, the former becomes weaker during the crisis period. During normal and crisis periods, the spillover effect among restaurants employing a specialization strategy is more substantial than among restaurants adopting a diversification strategy.

Keywords

Spatial autologistic model; Restaurant survival; Spillover effect; Crisis period

Research topic

Tourist Flows and Location

Research method

Econometrics, Spatial Modeling

Geographic area

China

Additional links for this paper

ResearchGate

Publisher Website

Web of Science

HOW TO CITE

Zhou, B., Li, Z. R., & Yang, Y. (2026). Together through thick and thin: How does the survival of neighboring restaurants matter?. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 133, 104461.

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