Hard Rock Cafe Miami closing after 33 years as lease expires at Bayside Marketplace. August 16, 2026 Hard Rock Cafe's Miami location at Bayside Marketplace will permanently shut its doors on August 19, ending a 33-year run and eliminating more than 115 jobs, another iconic brand retreating from a once-thriving retail footprint. A Hard Rock Cafe spokesperson confirmed the closure to The U.S. Sun, stating that the company's lease at the waterfront shopping destination is up this year and will not be renewed. The 350-seat restaurant opened in 1993 and has operated continuously since, making it one of the brand's longest-running Florida locations. The decision leaves more than 115 employees out of work. Hard Rock says it is offering transition support and points to "dozens of opportunities" roughly 20 miles north at its Hollywood, Florida, properties, but the company has not detailed what that support looks like beyond the geographic pointer. Over a hundred workers lose jobs as Hard Rock pivots elsewhere. The spokesperson framed the departure as a business decision, not a retreat from Miami: "Since opening Hard Rock Cafe Miami in 1993, Hard Rock has celebrated the opportunity to serve the Miami community in the heart of this special city and play a role in its legendary hospitality culture." That warm language does not change the math for the workers left behind. More than 115 positions vanish when the doors close next week. The company said it "remain[s] committed to our Cafe, Hotel and Casino locations in Florida," but the Miami closure shrinks its Florida cafe presence to just five locations, Orlando, Tampa, Davie, and Key West among those named. Hard Rock also said it plans to open 20 new locations across the brand in 2026 and is "continuing to look at Miami for new opportunities." What those opportunities are, or when they might materialize, the company did not say. The pattern is familiar. Across the country, established brands are pulling out of locations they once considered anchors. Neiman Marcus recently closed its landmark Dallas flagship after 110 years, cutting 67 workers in the process. Bayside Marketplace loses a 350-seat draw with no replacement named. Bayside Marketplace, a waterfront retail and dining complex in downtown Miami, now loses one of its most recognizable tenants. A 350-seat restaurant generates significant foot traffic, and its departure raises questions about what fills that space, and whether the broader complex can absorb the hit. Hard Rock's statement offered no explanation for why it chose not to renew the lease. The spokesperson did not disclose the lease terms, the rent, or whether negotiations with the property owner broke down over price. The company's language, "pursuing other opportunities", is corporate shorthand that tells the public nothing concrete. Grocery and retail chains have been making similar calculations nationwide. Kroger has closed 39 stores and counting as part of a nationwide overhaul, and the trend extends well beyond groceries. Until August 19, the Miami location remains open. The spokesperson emphasized that the restaurant is still serving customers and delivering "the iconic food and service Hard Rock Cafe Miami is known for." Whether that final-week traffic gives any of the 115-plus employees a softer landing remains to be seen. The Hollywood, Florida, properties where Hard Rock says replacement jobs exist include hotel and casino operations, a different kind of work from a standalone restaurant. The company has not said how many of the displaced Miami workers have actually been placed in new roles or even applied. Retail retreats like this one have become a drumbeat. Stop & Shop shuttered roughly 40 stores in a two-year pullback from the Northeast, and even fast-fashion giants have stumbled, Shein's U.S. sales cratered 14 percent under tariff pressure. Twenty new locations planned, but Miami workers need answers now. Hard Rock's promise of 20 new openings in 2026 sounds aggressive. But expansion plans announced from a corporate headquarters do not pay rent for the workers cleaning out their lockers in Miami next week. The company's own statement acknowledges only "dozens" of alternative positions, a word that could mean 24 or 96, and all of them sit in Hollywood, not in the city where these employees built careers. The spokesperson's closing line captured the tension between brand optimism and local reality: "We remain committed to our Cafe, Hotel and Casino locations in Florida and are actively providing transition support to the affected team members, with dozens of opportunities just 20 miles away in Hollywood, FL." "Committed to Florida" rings hollow when the state's most prominent city just lost a three-decade institution. And "transition support" without specifics is a press release, not a plan. When companies close long-standing locations, the people who pay the price are never the executives drafting the announcement. They are the line cooks, servers, and hosts who showed up for years and now have a week's notice and a vague suggestion to look 20 miles up the road. Capital digest. Receive information on new articles posted, important topics and tips. Capital Digest won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and Major Food Group to introduce new signature restaurant. Aug 05, 2026, 09:00 ET Exclusive dining concept advances Hard Rock International's global partnership with the acclaimed hospitality company HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood today announced plans to introduce a new signature restaurant created by Major Food Group (MFG), the acclaimed hospitality company behind some of the world's most celebrated dining destinations. The forthcoming restaurant will succeed Cipresso, which welcomed its final guests on Sunday, July 19, following seven years of service. Guest favorites from Cipresso are being offered at Abiaka Wood Fire Grill beginning Monday, July 27, including Nonna's Meatballs, Bolognese and Bone-In Veal Chop Alla Parmigiana. Abiaka will also expand its operations to seven days a week. The announcement marks the next chapter in the strategic partnership established by Hard Rock International and Major Food Group in 2024 to develop and curate distinctive dining experiences across Hard Rock's global portfolio of integrated resorts, hotels and casinos. Hailed as one of "the most creative companies in the world" by GQ, Major Food Group has redefined luxury hospitality with internationally renowned restaurants, private clubs, and residential endeavors that include CARBONE, Torrisi, and ZZ's Club. "Major Food Group has an extraordinary ability to create restaurants that become destinations in their own right," said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. "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." "Hard Rock shares our commitment to creating iconic spaces that stand the test of time," says MFG Co-Founder Jeff Zalaznick. "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." "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," said Randy Morton, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. "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." The new restaurant builds upon a successful history of collaboration between the two world-renowned hospitality brands. In December 2023, MFG brought its celebrated Carbone experience to Cipresso for an exclusive residency commemorating the historic introduction of craps, roulette and sports betting at Seminole Gaming properties across Florida. Additional information, including the restaurant's name, culinary direction, design renderings, opening timeline and reservation details, will be announced this fall. About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world's first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa(R)& Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private "Bora Bora" style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,500 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room. In 2023, the casino launched live craps, roulette and retail sports betting, offering 10 craps tables, 20 roulette tables, and sports betting locations including both electronic kiosks and kiosks with live sports betting agents. Introducing the new games is a historic milestone that immediately puts Florida in the same league as the world's great gaming destinations. Hard Rock Live named Casino/Resort Venue of the Year at the 2025 Pollstar Awards, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com call 1 (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: @HardRockHolly, X: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly. ABOUT MAJOR FOOD GROUP Major Food Group (MFG) - recently named one of GQ's "20 Most Creative Companies in the World" - is a globally celebrated hospitality company that has redefined luxury for the modern era. Founded in 2011 by Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and Rich Torrisi, MFG has built a dynamic empire of over fifty restaurants, private clubs, bars, and hotels across fifteen cities worldwide - and growing. The group is behind some of the most iconic brands in dining and hospitality, including CARBONE, CARBONE VINO, The Grill, Dirty French, ZZ's Club, Chateau ZZ's, Sadelle's, Contessa, Parm, and Torrisi. While each concept is distinct, together they exemplify an unmistakably Major blend of storytelling, elegance, and bold creativity - a signature approach that continues to shape the global hospitality landscape. SOURCE Hard Rock International

Hard Rock Cafe and coca-cola(r) launch Hard Rock Rising music competition for emerging artists. Aug 04, 2026, 12:59 ET HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 4, 2026 /CNW/ - Hard Rock Cafe and Coca-Cola today launched Hard Rock Rising. The music competition spans 34 countries and 64 Hard Rock Cafes, giving emerging artists a career-launching stage. For more than five decades, breakthrough artists and legends have taken the stage at Hard Rock Cafes. Coca-Cola has built a global platform for musicians through Coke Studio L.A. Live. Now, the two brands are joining forces to help singer-songwriters, bands and DJs launch their careers. Hard Rock Rising unfolds as a series of performances at participating Cafes. Local fan votes advance artists round by round. The Coke Studio team then selects one grand prize winner who earns a recording session, $10,000, a performance at Hard Rock Orlando and more. Artist submissions are open now through August 18, with live competition rounds running September 2, 9, 16 and 23. The global winner will be announced October 5. "Hard Rock Cafes have always connected people through the power of music with local artist residencies, open mic events, Battle of the Bands competitions, and pop culture memorabilia," said Eric Martino, President of Hard Rock Cafe and Retail at Hard Rock International. "Now, Hard Rock Rising is a natural extension of that mission to empower emerging artists to perform their original music. Together with Coca-Cola, we're proud to provide a platform where musicians can be seen, heard and celebrated in their communities, and for the winner, around the world." Multi-platinum, GRAMMY- and Juno-nominated executive producer Rob Rettberg leads the Coke Studio team. "This partnership taps into Hard Rock's unparalleled reach and iconic stages while leveraging Coke Studio's production expertise to transform talented musicians into the next generation of recording artists," said Rettberg. The competition is amplified by a full Hard Rock Rising lineup, from a limited-time menu with cocktails made with Coca-Cola products to merchandise available at Rock Shops(R) and shop.hardrock.com. Extending the competition's celebration of music and self-expression beyond the stage, Hard Rock is partnering with Cult of Individuality, the streetwear brand renowned for its roots in music culture. Together, the brands will launch a Hard Rock Rising tee and a co-branded apparel collection. Artists ready to take the stage can apply through August 18. Each application must include two original songs. For submissions, rules, competition details and participating Cafe locations, visit cafe.hardrock.com/hard-rock-rising. SOURCE Hard Rock International Jonathan Goldman, [email protected]