Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood to Debut Exclusive Major Food Group Restaurant Later This Year
TL;DR — Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood plans to open a new restaurant with Major Food Group later this year, replacing Cipresso closed on July 19 after seven years. The partnership began in 2023 with Carbone during new gaming introductions and expanded globally in 2024. Leaders cite it as a step to enhance guest experiences.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood will open a new restaurant later this year, developed in partnership with Major Food Group. The New York-based hospitality company is behind concepts including Carbone, Torrisi, and ZZ’s Club. This marks the end of Cipresso, which closed on Sunday, July 19, after seven years of operation.
The collaboration dates to a 2023 residency in which MFG’s Carbone concept operated at Cipresso during the introduction of craps, roulette, and sports betting at Seminole Gaming properties in Florida. In 2024, Hard Rock International and MFG expanded the arrangement into a broader partnership to develop dining concepts across Hard Rock’s global portfolio.
From Temporary Residency to Long-Term Collaboration
Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming, said: “Major Food Group has an extraordinary ability to create restaurants that become destinations in their own right. Bringing an exclusive MFG concept to our resort is an exciting next step in our partnership and reflects our continued investment in world-class dining and hospitality. We look forward to sharing what we are creating together later this year.”
Jeff Zalaznick, MFG Co-Founder, said: “Hard Rock shares our commitment to creating iconic spaces that stand the test of time. We look forward to building something very special together – a restaurant that’s exciting, extraordinary, and gives guests yet another reason to love Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood for many years to come.”
Randy Morton, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, said: “This is an exciting time for Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood as we continue investing in the property and identifying meaningful ways to enhance the guest experience. The exclusive new restaurant concept will bring fresh energy to the property, complement our broader resort offerings and further strengthen our position as one of South Florida’s premier entertainment and hospitality destinations.”
What This Means for Gaming Hospitality Strategies
As reported by Indian Gaming, the partnership illustrates a deliberate approach to refreshing amenities at mature properties. Such moves represent an inflection point where non-gaming elements become central to the overall appeal.
The source leaves open the specific identity of the new restaurant concept. That detail will likely emerge closer to opening. For now, the announcement reinforces how strategic alliances with established hospitality brands can create destination experiences that drive guest loyalty.
This kind of collaboration helps properties stand out in competitive markets. Operators should evaluate similar partnerships as they evolve offerings beyond traditional gaming.
Reporting: Indian Gaming
When tribal gaming titans refresh dining, it's a signal that non-gaming amenities now drive destination appeal and repeat visits.
We've watched tribal operators evolve from gaming floors to integrated resorts. Seminole's second swing with Major Food Group—after Carbone proved the model—shows how high-profile F&B partnerships become competitive moats. In markets where gaming parity is real, the restaurant is the differentiator. That's the playbook now.
- Cipresso closed July 19 after seven years; exclusive MFG restaurant opens later this year
- Partnership began with 2023 Carbone residency during craps, roulette, sports betting rollout
- 2024 global deal with Hard Rock signals broader MFG integration across portfolio
SCCG angle: SCCG has connected F&B, entertainment, and tech partners into integrated resort strategies across our tribal and commercial operator network for years. When clients ask how to turn amenities into destination drivers—not just add-ons—we bring the brands, the architects, and the operational playbook that make these partnerships actually work.