(Liz Rymarev / Staff Photographer)
As a conservative woman of faith, a proud mother of four and co-CEO of the Biscuit Bar in North Texas, I have seen firsthand the challenges our child care system creates for families and businesses. If our Legislature is serious about supporting life and strengthening our economy, fixing this broken system must be a priority. In a time of deep division, one thing unites us all: our children.
Texas cannot afford to overlook child care’s impact on economic stability. A recent study done by the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin estimates the state loses $11.4 billion annually due to inadequate child care. In 2024, infant care at a center in Dallas County had a median price of more than $11,000 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau. These figures highlight not only the burden on families but also the broader consequences for businesses and the state’s economy.
The shortage of affordable child care forces parents to choose between work and family.
In Texas, 7% of parents have left a job due to child care issues, and 30% have left, declined or significantly changed jobs in the past year for the same reason, according to a report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
At one of our restaurants, our three most experienced line cooks — all mothers to a total of 11 children, with one more on the way — are the backbone of our kitchen. Yet, due to a lack of child care, we often lose them during peak seasons, straining both their families’ finances and our business.
In the food service and hospitality industry, where work extends beyond a 9-to-5 schedule, flexible child care is essential. Many restaurant and hotel employees — chefs, servers, bartenders, front desk staff and housekeepers —work evenings, weekends and holidays when most child care centers are closed. Reliable care is often unavailable, forcing parents to make tough career choices or rely on inconsistent childcare arrangements.
When child care falls short, workers leave or cut back hours, straining staffing and service. For small businesses like mine, where every team member plays a crucial role, even one departure can cause major disruptions. With tighter margins and fewer backup options than large corporations, we feel the impact even more. That’s why business owners like me are joining leaders across Texas to push for solutions that make quality child care more accessible and affordable.
As a member of the Employers for Childcare Task Force, a nonpartisan coalition of business leaders, I and many other employers across Texas are advocating for policy reforms that expand access to affordable, high-quality child care. This legislative session and beyond, we are working to ensure child care remains a priority. Launched by the Texas Restaurant Association, Early Matters Texas, the Texas Association of Business and Texas 2036, this initiative highlights a shared understanding that child care isn’t a partisan issue — it’s an economic imperative.
Investing in child care is investing in Texas’ future. By supporting working parents, we uphold the values of family and hard work while ensuring a strong and dynamic economy. It’s time for our Legislature to act decisively and modernize our child care system to reflect our shared commitment to supporting life and fostering prosperity for all Texans.
Janie Burkett is the co-chief executive and owner of the Biscuit Bar, which has locations in Plano, Deep Ellum, Coppell, North Arlington and the Fort Worth Stockyards.
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