That's why the growth of chain restaurants parallels the growth of freeways.

It also parallels the growth of suburbs. In suburbs, which are much newer to the world, there's often no established, go-to set of family restaurants. So the chains can simply expand into empty space.

The Internet and shows like Diners and Dives are a godsend to independent restaurants.

For marketing, sure.

But wouldn't it be great if I could actually get their offerings wherever I happen to be, the way I can a book or a guitar already?

Sadly, food spoils. So I would have to be able to teleport to the restaurant, or the food would have to teleport to me.