GHRA Reveal

Foodie power: Restaurants have a staggering $13.2 billion economic impact inHouston

In my opinion, everyone should wait tables at least once — it gives you a lifelong respect for the people that work in the service industry.

Luckily, according to the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, we're about halfway there. The GHRA unveiled the economic impact of Harris County's hospitality industry at the Founder's Club inside the Hobby Center on Tuesday, and some of the numbers might surprise you.

That makes the economic impact of the hospitality industry more than a dozen times bigger than that of Houston's art industry.

Not only do one out of every two people work in the industry at some point in their lifetime, but restaurants, bars and hotels in Harris County directly employed more than 162,000 people in 2011 — that's one out of every 11 private-sector jobs in Houston. When you include those jobs that are indirectly tied to the hospitality industry, like food suppliers, the numbers of jobs created by the industry jumps to nearly 204,000.

But it's more than just jobs that the hospitality industry brings to Houston. According to a study commissioned by the Texas Restaurant Association and conducted by Ernst & Young, Harris County hotels and restaurants had a total economic impact of $13.2 billion in 2011. That figure includes $7.9 billion in sales and $5.3 billion in indirect and induced economic activity.

In addition, state and local taxes paid by the hospitality industry topped $1.5 billion, including $740 in sales tax remitted on consumer purchases.

"The combined efforts of the industry have resulted in an apparent economic boon to the Houston economy; the vibrancy of our local industry is a major draw within our city and the surrounding metropolitan area," GHRA president Reggie Coachman says. "The economic success of the region’s hospitality industry is directly linked to the thousands of owners, employees, suppliers and wholesalers that support it."

That makes the economic impact of the hospitality industry more than a dozen times bigger than that of Houston's art industry, which generates $977 million in local economic activity.

No offense to artists, but it tastes better too.

unspecified

there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.