GAMING:

Denny’s makes inroads at Station properties

Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 | 5:06 p.m.

Station Casinos’ decision to replace company-owned cafes at six casinos with Denny’s restaurants is part of a money-saving trend afoot at properties owned by Station and competitor Boyd Gaming, which are facing the worst recession in a generation.

Outsourcing restaurants to third parties is cheaper for companies than operating their own. Also, big brands drive traffic, which is what casinos need most these days.

While cost-cutting played a role in the decision, it wasn’t the main driver, Station spokeswoman Lori Nelson said.

“Denny’s is a very strong brand to drive people into those properties.”

When Station bought and renovated its Wildfire-branded casinos, the company found that the cafes weren’t a big brand draw. The home of the 24-7 Grand Slam breakfast, on the other hand, was a hit when it opened at Fiesta Rancho in October, Nelson said.

Denny’s will open over the next few months at Wild Wild West, Fiesta Henderson, two Wildfire casino locations in Henderson and a third on Rancho Drive – all lower-rent properties.

Discussion: 18 comments so far…

By spartacus84

12/5/08 at 7:52 p.m.

Suggest removal

Denny's is better than Jenny Craig for losing weight.
By Lenny_V

12/5/08 at 8:51 p.m.

Suggest removal

Ha ha. Driving people into the property? Yeah, right. Save your drivel, Lori Nelson. Denny's sucks. When was the last time you ate there? Exactly, so STFU.
By BorisR

12/6/08 at 5:44 a.m.

Suggest removal

And what's going to happen to all the cool late night steak-and-eggs specials? Will they disappear along with the disappearing coffee shops? I mean, this sux big time, folks. I loved those 3.99 specials. And I doubt that Denny's, Wimpies, and all those other joints will be open 24/7.....
By 2zero

12/6/08 at 6:30 a.m.

Suggest removal

On another note; Stations is outsourcing the gift shop operations to Rite Aid and house keeping to Molly Maid.
By AngusKing

12/6/08 at 8:10 a.m.

Suggest removal

Stations/Dennys just lost their highest profile client, OJ. Maybe they can deliver to the big house.
By homer

12/6/08 at 8:17 a.m.

Suggest removal

Denny's closest thing to garbage there is.
By stevem

12/6/08 at 8:26 a.m.

Suggest removal

denny's will drive people into the properties.

what a p.r. spin.

i don't know if lori herself comes up with that garbage or she's just a human pez dispenser ( most p.r. types are ) that says what the suits tell her to say.

there's a denny's or ihop every 40 feet in las vegas. why would i park in the garage, go down the elevator, and walk past all those slot machines for 5 minutes to get pancakes?

station casinos is bleeding red ink and everyone with an 8th grade education can see past the p.r. spin.

"coffee shop" food is usually VERY high profit margin food. eggs, waffles, pancakes, etc.

their visitor volume is way down, so they are losing that source of easy money from the coffee shops so they'd rather lease the space and then they can trim the cost of those workers.

that's what it's REALLY about.
By tvegas

12/6/08 at 9:01 a.m.

Suggest removal

ROTFLMAO

Denny's?

ROTFLMAO
By johnevegas

12/6/08 at 9:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

"denny's will drive people into the properties."

I think they mean that Denny's will attract people who are more likely to drive right into the casino building. Like the Farmer's Market guy who ran over 12 people.
By johnevegas

12/6/08 at 9:31 a.m.

Suggest removal

"Denny's closest thing to garbage there is."

You've never been to a Waffle House have you?
By LasVegas2009

12/6/08 at 1:17 p.m.

Suggest removal

While I dont care for breakfast at Denny's I do like there lunch menu and Salads. I mean breakfast is where they screw up. But a burger and fries with a shake they do ok. And a good club sandwich, good onion rings and desert is always a plus. But im sad to see the Cafe's go
when the buffet line is long stopping at the cafe is always good. I have never had a bad meal at the cafe. The economy in Vegas will get better someday and maybe they will bring the cafe's back.
By iwonder

12/6/08 at 3:15 p.m.

Suggest removal

i wonder if denny's at stations will be as successful as outback at arizona charlie's. no one went. they closed down and now the outback space has been converted to the coffeeshop, sourdough cafe. chains may drive traffic in and around malls, but casinos are different. people want to be able to get a comp, a 2 for 1, or pay with points. do the denny's and other chain food places take points? not many.
By BorisR

12/6/08 at 5:54 p.m.

Suggest removal

After this recession, Las Vegas' casinos will no longer be the same. The Strip joints will be too expensive for the regular visitor, and the big Off-Strip Casinos will also outsource some of the great ameneties worth visiting. So what's left is the little locals' places, such as Arizona Charlie's or those few old style casinos on Boulder highway where I will go in future. It's a shame how things are changing. on the other hand, I think the people who make such decisions know why they're doing it. They simply have no options but to cut costs if they want to stay in business once this crisis will be through.
By buzzbomb

12/6/08 at 6:48 p.m.

Suggest removal

Everyone knows that Dennys SUCKS - just going there is a desperate act when nothing else is available. I'm guessing it is a desperate act for Station mgmt. also. It may save some wages & benefits in the short run, but Dennys will only detract from these properties. (even Wild Wild West).

Sorry to see this - I feel bad for good employees who don't deserve this.
By gold1020

12/6/08 at 7:39 p.m.

Suggest removal

The one time I ate a Grand Slam breakfast-I was buckling over in pain for 3 days. I'd rather eat prison food.
By sweetwinner

12/7/08 at 1:37 a.m.

Suggest removal

Denny's food is going to bad for the Station Casinos guests. What they serve will definitely clog people's arteries and cause coronary disease...OH my gosh! that is going to kill a lot of guest and hurt business at StationCasinos. Having Denny's is no good!
By GoToe

12/7/08 at 10:10 a.m.

Suggest removal

Like they say, no one intends to eat at Denny's, you just end up there.

"We wanted to try that new Mexican restaurant across town"

"I've heard that place is good, but it's really busy. Did you get in?"

"Naw, the lot was full. Ah, we just ended up at Denny's"
By BorisR

12/8/08 at 4:35 a.m.

Suggest removal

haha!!! Denny's reputation must have seen better days in the U.S. :) I wonder if this will help or hurt the casinos these days...
When oil cost 140 dollars per barrel, everybody was whining around. Vegas said traffic slowed down because of high gas costs. Now that gas is cheap again this story can't be taken for granted any longer. Now a new story has to be created why the casinos are suffering.

Let's face reality: The reason why the casinos are suffering is because there's simply not enough money around anymore. And why is that? Because too many people have credit card bills pending, not knowing how to pay them, and still don't realize that it's time to spend less instead of making more debts. Once this thinking kicks in the economy will perhaps slowly get back on track again. Healthy and stronger if you guys learned your lesson.