From the corner diner to elegant Westside eateries, restaurants in Southern California are shrinking portions, slashing wine prices, cutting employee hours and reducing staff. Some chain restaurants and fast-food purveyors are shutting unprofitable branches, and experts say some may not survive.

Many large dinner-house chains are reporting some of the largest drops in same-store sales — an important measure of a retailer’s financial health — in recent history.

Parsimonious consumers are why even once hot brands such as Starbucks and Pinkberry are closing restaurants. Experts see more ahead.

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