Study: 49% of small restaurant businesses couldn’t pay October rent | Nation's Restaurant News
And before you think that because the restaurants you go to are full, that doesn't mean that there is enough gross profit after the increases in COGS (cost of goods sold) and labor increases to pay ALL the rent.
So yes, its a tough industry right now, and there will be times when there is crappy meals and crappy service based on the price of the meal.
Will the landlord throw them out? doubtful, as 1/2 rent is better than no rent, and with 1/2 the restaurants in the same position. . . . but then again, there are greedy SOBs landlords out there.