Nestled in the agricultural heartland of California, Hard Rock Casino Tejon is relatively new, having opened in November.
But the Bakersfield casino is growing, having added 300 jobs since its opening, adding 85 slot machines and additional craps and roulette tables to the 150,000- square-foot gaming floor.
What’s its secret?
Really, there’s no secret. Treating employees the right way is one reason Hard Rock Casino Tejon has succeeded.
“It’s all about creating a best-in-class environment for our team members,” Hard Rock Casino Tejon President Chris Kelley says during an interview with CDC Gaming.
Kelley said that from the moment Hard Rock Casino Tejon opened, it’s been a sought-after source of employment. About 110 miles north of Los Angeles, the casino benefits from location and its proximity to 6.5 million people who live within two hours.
“We’re actually very close to the second-largest metropolitan center in the country,” Kelley says. “Depending on how you look at it, we’re right within striking distance of some very, very large and dense population centers.”
One of the perks afforded to team members are free meals. Instead of having to pack lunches or buy meals, employees are able to access some of the freshest fruits and vegetables available from Bakersfield’s farmlands.
“When you think about meals, obviously it’s one of those ways that you can separate yourself among the competition, but it’s also a big part of culture building,” Kelley says. “When you think about one of the most important parts of your day, it’s how you share meals, it’s who you share meals with, and so it’s part of that foundation building from a culture perspective as well.
“And I can also tell you that the food out here is outstanding. It’s a great way for us to celebrate that.”
Christine Morrow, the casino’s Director of Marketing, says she has worked with other operators in the gaming industry. What Hard Rock Tejon is doing is rare, and it also mitigates food insecurity
“They may not have that ability at home, where food is as readily available to them,” Morrow says. “They know that they can come in to work and they’re guaranteed a meal; they’re guaranteed something to eat.”
But free meals, while appreciated, are only part of the story. Kelley says the demand for jobs in good working conditions have benefited the casino, noting the 300 additional employees Hard Rock Tejon has added since opening.
“Normally you overhire when you open a facility like this one, expecting that you’ll contract,” Kelley says. “We had the opposite experience. We opened and found out very quickly that we needed to expand, and so we went from 1,100 team members to about 1,400 as we sit here today.”
Morrow notes that the operator has conducted regular hiring events. Demand for jobs at the casino has not abated.
“We’re getting an abundance of people from the community wanting to come here and be part of the team,” she says.
Kelley says when customers are asked about the best thing about the casino, they usually mention team members. Team members are also encouraged to pursue careers with Hard Rock.
“We have an amazing group of team members here, but secondarily, you start to build that loyalty of your team member base,” Kelley said. “We’ve seen turnover statistics that are much lower than what you would expect for a property that has just opened its doors, and we see team members that are really focused on building careers here, not just focused on jobs.”
Morrow said that Hard Rock has had a big effect on operations, not only on the gaming part of the casino, but on the community. She notes that philanthropic efforts, including blood drive and clean-up efforts, have resulted in a tangible effect on the Bakersfield area.
“Being part of a community is such a key value for Hard Rock itself,” Morrow says. “Not only do the team members see it, but the community sees it.”
Kelley notes that one of the most extraordinary aspects of coming into Kern County has been the positive response received. In a region known mostly for agriculture and energy, Hard Rock has proven there’s room for the gaming/hospitality industry.
“About 90% of our team members are from Kern County,” Kelley says. “The vast majority of them have never worked in hospitality before, and so we’re really bringing a brand new economic vertical to this area. The community is not just excited about the entertainment engine that Hard Rock represents, but the economic engine that Hard Rock represents at the same time, and the altruistic engine that Christine was speaking to as well.
“You see the 360-degree impact that a project like this can have, and the community has really embraced it, and we feel that from our guest perspective, we feel it through community outreach, we feel it across the board, and it has been a wonderful thing to be a part of.”
