Location strategies of multiunit service businesses: spatial differentiation and agglomeration among hamburger restaurants in Paris, 1984–2004

Sébastien Liarte and Bernard Forgues ()

Service Business, 2008, vol. 2, issue 3, 233-248

Abstract: In this article, we study how multiunit service businesses locate their units, choosing between two opposite spatial strategies. Whereas, locating one’s units close to competitors’ brings positive agglomeration externalities, locating one’s units far away from others’ allows local monopolies through spatial differentiation. We examine location strategies of the two biggest hamburger restaurant chains—namely McDonald’s and Quick—in Paris between 1984 and 2004. Results show that competitive standings impact locational strategy choices. The market leader favors spatial differentiation, thus preempting premium locations. Conversely, the challenger favors locations close to the leader, thus aiming at agglomeration externalities. Copyright Springer-Verlag 2008

Keywords: Location; Rivalry; Agglomeration; Differentiation; Fast-food industry (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
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DOI: 10.1007/s11628-008-0038-2

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