Ranking every San Francisco neighborhood by how much of its food economy is independently owned — and tracking what's changing.
The Independence Index score combines four weighted factors. Raw counts of independent vs. chain businesses are a starting point — but a 40-year family business and a venture-backed startup opened last year both count as "independent" by ownership. The methodology accounts for this.
PE-backed and conglomerate-owned businesses receive a negative weight — they're not just "not independent," they represent active chain consolidation. A neighborhood with 20% PE-owned businesses scores significantly worse than one with 20% national franchise chains.
Raw percentage of food businesses with no private equity, conglomerate, or publicly-traded corporate ownership. Sole proprietor, partnership, and small LLC structures score highest.
Average years in business for independent operators in the neighborhood. Long-standing independents score higher than recently-opened ones. Proxies for community embeddedness.
Percentage of businesses owned by private equity or publicly-traded conglomerates. Weighted negatively — high PE penetration is the strongest predictor of further consolidation.
Number of independent businesses per square mile. High-density independent districts — like Hayes Valley's small geographic footprint — score better than dispersed independence.