I agree, although I don't think anyone knows the answer to my question from a few weeks' back when I asked if this was possible under the programme's rules.
Of the teams which stayed the course, JJ and James did seem to have the best customer interaction, but (as many have said) that should not have been enough to win this particular competition.
As for the question someone else raised about another series I think that the simple answer is that controversial "car crash" reality programmes attract comment and therefore viewers so there probably will be another series. My only question is whether or not the selection policy and/or "prize" will change.
If a programme such as MasterChef can survive with a prize of what is effectively a training period in a Michelin restaurant, why not something similar for The Restaurant?