Which of the following is a negative effect on quick-serve restaurant supply businesses of government regulation?

The correct answer highlights that additional expenses and inefficiencies are often experienced due to government regulation. Regulations can impose various compliance costs on quick-serve restaurant supply businesses. For instance, businesses may need to invest in new equipment to meet health and safety standards, hire additional personnel for compliance monitoring, or undergo regular inspections. These costs can lead to increased operational expenses, which may affect profitability.

Moreover, adhering to complex regulations can create inefficiencies in processes. Businesses may find that necessary changes to operations or supply chains result in delays or require significant changes to their established workflows, thus detracting from overall efficiency and productivity.

Other answer choices, while reflecting aspects of regulation that may have some indirect effects, do not primarily address the negative economic impact caused by regulation. Prohibiting unfair trade practices, regulating the use of resources, and providing intellectual property protections are generally intended to benefit the sector and maintain fairness and innovation but do not align with the negative impacts indicated in the question.