How Many is Too Many?

This is a freshly planted bed of Green Island Ficus. Did the designer know the mature size of this plant? Each one will grow at least four feet wide. Why did they plant them one inch from the edge of the curb?
If the landscaper thought about the plant’s eventual size they could have planted six or seven in this bed and had a better looking, longer lasting, lower maintenance bed.
P.S. This is at a nationwide fast food chain that must have hired a professional. And the hundreds of people that eat there each day will consider copying this poor planting technique. ficus overplanted