Oregon 2012 Minimum Wage rises to $8.80 ~ Will that close Oregon restaurants?

Oregon has enjoyed the highest job additions during the third quarter of 2011 over all other industries. Our industry is one key barometer of how our communities are feeling about their financial state. If threatened... we tighten our purse strings and usually start with reducing dining out (not to mention that being encouraged by the media as sound "advice").

There is the argument that minimum wage is THE job killer for our industry, yet in Oregon, we have enjoyed industry growth before and after the implementation of minimum wage increases set by the Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries as approved by the voters in 2002. (Ballot Measure 25).

The discussion: Even with minimum wage increases, it is balanced by a fixed labor cost for the entire year. There are few other industries that enjoy that benefit. Is minimum wage the real culprit in closing restaurants? What about the recession in general? The glut of restaurants pressing the supply-demand thus increasing price points. Inefficient waste? Poorly trained (or not trained at all) staff on service-sales concepts, skills and techniques?

Your thoughts, please.