Core Viewpoint - The restaurant industry is experiencing a significant wave of closures in shopping malls due to declining foot traffic, high rents, and increasing operational costs, leading to a challenging environment for both malls and restaurants [3][6][23]. Group 1: Current Trends in the Restaurant Industry - Many restaurants are closing or relocating from shopping malls, with notable examples including "奈斯椰" in Beijing and "银棠·新中餐" in Qingdao, indicating a broader trend of withdrawal from mall locations [2][3]. - A report indicates that by 2024, 34.9% of shopping centers will see more closures than new openings, suggesting a growing vacancy rate in malls [3][12]. - The average rent for shopping mall spaces remains high, with a slight decrease of only 0.06% year-on-year, making it increasingly unfeasible for restaurants to operate profitably [22][23]. Group 2: Challenges Faced by Shopping Malls - Shopping malls are facing a saturation of locations, leading to diluted foot traffic, which negatively impacts restaurant patronage [8][10]. - Many malls have outdated designs and layouts that do not cater to modern consumer preferences, further diminishing their attractiveness [13][14]. - The homogenization of brands across malls has led to a lack of differentiation, making shopping experiences feel repetitive for consumers [17][18]. Group 3: Future Outlook and Opportunities - Experts predict that the survival of mall-based restaurants will remain difficult for at least the next two years, with a potential recovery not expected until then [5][6]. - A shift towards "downward" strategies is emerging, where restaurants are increasingly looking to open in lower levels of malls or in less saturated markets, such as county-level cities [29][32]. - The underdeveloped commercial real estate in lower-tier cities presents opportunities for restaurant brands to establish themselves in less competitive environments, where consumer demand for quality dining experiences is rising [35][36].