The restaurant industry has been an economic
bright spot by providing good-paying,
reliable jobs in New Mexico. In the last year
alone, the largest employment gains were in
the leisure and hospitality industry, which
added 4,500 jobs – keeping thousands of New
Mexico families on solid financial ground and
strengthening our state’s economy.
However, in return for helping boost our
economy, critics distort our industry’s jobs as
less than valuable to our workforce and our
communities. I am troubled by the recent,
inaccurate attacks on our industry by special
interest groups and for the harm they cause the
80,000 New Mexicans who should be valued
for the work they do. The small-business
owners and workers I meet around the state
are proud of their jobs and the contributions
they make in their communities.
More than 13 million Americans – about 10
percent of U.S. workers – rely on the steady
income and career growth opportunities
through jobs in the restaurant industry.
Many of us have done these jobs. It is the
first job held by one in three Americans.
The fact is the restaurant industry pays
a fair wage to employees based on their
experience and skill-set. These jobs teach
critical skills like personal responsibility,
teamwork, discipline and accountability,
while providing workers with the resources
and opportunities they need for successful
careers. Many of them advance from their
entry-level positions in the industry, with
9 out of 10 salaried restaurant employees
having started in hourly positions.
Car ol Wight
by Carol Wight,
Chief Executive Officer
executive forum
Our industry is vital to economic growth and
has helped fuel the national recovery we are
experiencing.While employment nationwide
grew by just 1.7 percent in 2012, restaurant
industry employment grew 3.4 percent –
making 2012 the 13th consecutive year that
the restaurant industry has outperformed
overall U.S. employment growth.
Most restaurant employees earn above the
minimum wage. The majority of workers
who are in minimum wage jobs work in
other sectors besides the restaurant industry.
Only 5 percent of restaurant employees earn
minimum wage, and those who do are mostly
working part-time jobs, and half are teenagers.
Many New Mexicans rely on the additional
income and flexibility that restaurant jobs
offer as they seek to balance their careers with
family responsibilities or remain involved in
their communities. Most industry workers
are students with irregular schedules,
teenagers saving for school, or parents and
caregivers who need a job that fits their busy
lives. Part-time, entry-level jobs fill a critical
need in our nation’s workforce. Restaurant
owners typically provide raises when an
employee is fully trained or prepared to take
on more responsibility.
Both part-time and full-time positions
make the restaurant industry a versatile
career option for a variety of workers. For
people from all backgrounds, the restaurant
industry provides a pathway to a middle
class income, whether in the industry or as
a bridge to new careers.
Restaurant jobs are valuable for workers,
their communities and our nation’s economy.
Demeaning and devaluing these jobs is
wrong. As our nation’s economy continues to
recover, we should focus on preparing workers
for high-growth positions, supporting our
growth industries and respecting the hard
work of thousands of New Mexicans and
millions of Americans.
NEWMEMBERS
6 New Mexico Restaurant Association
REGULAR (RESTAURANT) MEMBERS
Adelitas Mexican Restaurant,
Santa fe
Albuquerque Country Club,
Albuquerque
America's Best Value Inn,
Farmington
Arabella's,
Fairacres
ArtBar, Catalyst Club Inc.,
Albuquerque
Beehive Homes Staffing Services Corp,
Farmington
Best Western Heritage Inn,
Moriarty
Best Western Mission Inn,
Las Cruces
Casa de Shalom LLC,
Rio Rancho
Clarion Hotel Albuquerque,
Albuquerque
Comfort Inn - Ruidoso,
Albuquerque
Comfort Suites - Hobbs,
Albuquerque
Days Inn - Midtown,
Albuquerque
Domino's - Desert Dough, Inc,
Las Cruces
Dona Ana Personal Care,
Las Cruces
Dr. Field Goods Kitchen,
Santa Fe
Econolodge - Silver City,
Albuquerque
El Fogon Restaurant,
Hobbs
Fano, Inc.,
Albuquerque
Godfather's Pizza,
Albuquerque
Harmony Residential Care Corp,
Rio Rancho
Holy Cow,
Albuquerque
Imbibe, Lucky 33, Inc.,
Albuquerque
Java Joe's,
Albuquerque
Jinja Bar & Bistro-ABQ NE,
Albuquerque
Jinja Bar & Bistro-ABQ Westside,
Albuquerque
Jinja Bar & Bistro-Santa Fe,
Santa Fe
Logan Super Stop, Inc.,
Logan
Los Cerritos Mexican Kitchen,
Roswell
Miguel's,
Las Cruces
M'Tucci's Kitchina,
Albuquerque
NOSH,
Albuquerque
RealBurger,
Santa Fe
Rockin BZ Burgers LLC,
Las Cruces
Sabroso Restaurant and Bar,
Arroyo Seco
Shaffer Hotel,
Mountainair
Subway- Clayton,
Clayton
Taos Inn,
Taos
Torinos' at Home Italiana & Caffe,
Albuquerque
Wheatfields Assisted Living,
Clovis
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Action Coach,
Albuquerque
Albuquerque Baseball Club, LLC,
Albuquerque
Albuquerque the Magazine,
Albuquerque
Britnie Frizzle,
Las Cruces
From July – January 2014
