I am assuming that in the not leasing to restaurants case, these businesses would not find additional central locations (so would not operate) and that those who would otherwise dine in these central restaurants would purchase meals from less central locations or non-restaurant stores. These alternative meals would use more animal products (presumed for at home cooking and as a competitive strategy of restaurants that cannot market a central location).
In the leasing to restaurants scenario, assuming excess demand in the non-restaurant case, the price would fall with an increased supply. This could motivate those who would have otherwise bought less central or non-restaurant meals to purchase the central meals with less animal products. This indicates that leasing to a restaurant would benefit animal welfare.
This reasoning does not consider the leverage that a central restaurant can have. For example, if this is a very cool and affordable vegan place, then it can motivate other competitors to introduce vegan options. Similarly, if this is a horrible steakhouse that exhibits animal suffering and workers’ poor standards, then other meat restaurants could suffer a reputational loss and plant-based restaurants could increase their market share. So, if it is possible to select renters, then some cool healthy vegan restaurant chain, which uses marketing to retain customers.
I am further assuming that 100% of non-restaurant tenants would operate from other locations and that this would not affect their operations or profit.
I am assuming that in the not leasing to restaurants case, these businesses would not find additional central locations (so would not operate) and that those who would otherwise dine in these central restaurants would purchase meals from less central locations or non-restaurant stores. These alternative meals would use more animal products (presumed for at home cooking and as a competitive strategy of restaurants that cannot market a central location).
In the leasing to restaurants scenario, assuming excess demand in the non-restaurant case, the price would fall with an increased supply. This could motivate those who would have otherwise bought less central or non-restaurant meals to purchase the central meals with less animal products. This indicates that leasing to a restaurant would benefit animal welfare.
This reasoning does not consider the leverage that a central restaurant can have. For example, if this is a very cool and affordable vegan place, then it can motivate other competitors to introduce vegan options. Similarly, if this is a horrible steakhouse that exhibits animal suffering and workers’ poor standards, then other meat restaurants could suffer a reputational loss and plant-based restaurants could increase their market share. So, if it is possible to select renters, then some cool healthy vegan restaurant chain, which uses marketing to retain customers.
I am further assuming that 100% of non-restaurant tenants would operate from other locations and that this would not affect their operations or profit.