Foxwoods Resort Casino is preparing for its next chapter as a true destination resort. The Mashantucket, CT. property has long been known as a top gaming facility along the East Coast, but to compete with Las Vegas and Atlantic City, it’s adding a wealth of amenities to its lifestyle offerings. We sat down with Foxwoods chief executive officer Jason Guyot to discuss its evolution – from the new Gordon Ramsay restaurant to a state-of-the-art casino – the Connecticut mainstay is bidding for recognition on the global gaming map.
Can you share the inspiration behind the expansion project at Foxwoods Resort Casino and what guests can expect from the new additions?
We’ve made strides toward attracting diverse demographics to Foxwoods through a series of expansions and openings. As we continue to add new amenities to our property, one thing we wanted to keep in mind is gaming, as it’s our core business. This was our main focus as we started to visualize the establishment of a contemporary, state-of-the-art casino at the heart of our property, bolstered by innovative technology.
This is anchored even more by the introduction of our brand new upscale dining restaurant, Hell’s Kitchen, in collaboration with Chef Gordon Ramsay. By combining cutting-edge gaming facilities with signature dining venues curated by Gordon Ramsay, and the Wahlberg brothers with Wahlburgers, we are not only forging an unparalleled entertainment hub but also catering to a diverse spectrum of guests.
What strategic goals did you have while planning this expansion, and how do you plan to set the resort apart in the highly competitive hospitality industry?
I have been a part of the Foxwoods team for 21 years and serving as the president and ceo since 2020 – even during a period of closure. My involvement in overseeing development dates back to 2016, when we began to introduce new, non-gaming offerings to enhance our competitiveness in the market. However, since I assumed the role, I’ve been able to move this evolution forward and get creative with how we compete in the market.
When we opened in 1992, we were the region’s only casino outside Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Fast forward to 2023, and we’re now surrounded by over 15 prominent contenders along the East Coast. They offer up traditional casino products, like restaurants, entertainment options, slots, and table games, sometimes even hotels and spas. To break through the competition, our approach is to transform our property into a destination resort. We have over 9 million square feet under a single roof and a sprawling 1200-acre expanse surrounding the resort. Our aim has been to activate this space and introduce cutting-edge concepts that resonate with different demographics not yet represented at our resort.
How do you envision Hell’s Kitchen and Wahlburgers enhancing the culinary offerings at Foxwoods?
When it comes to Hell’s Kitchen – its global recognition precedes it, but our property has a few different elements that set it apart from other locations. First and foremost is its strategic placement at the heart of our evolving site. This area is currently undergoing a massive development, with Hell’s Kitchen serving as the cornerstone. We worked very closely with Gordon Ramsay North America on the design; there are the signature pieces to the restaurant that you’ll see, including the Italian tile with the red and blue flames behind the kitchen line and the marble basket weave tile in the main dining area.
With Wahlburgers, our New England roots run deep, with a big portion of our demographic hailing from Massachusetts. It was natural to partner with Wahlburgers, a company that’s solidified themselves as Boston alumni. The new restaurant will be located adjacent to Hell’s Kitchen, with much of the venue visible from the concourse. It sports a 30-seat racetrack bar and TVs, and creates a great experience right on the main concourse in the center of the property. I know the Wahlberg family is very excited; this is a corporate operation for them, and the entire team there is extremely excited to be opening soon.
With the addition of the new casino, what features and amenities will set it apart from other casinos in the region?
One of the amenities I get most excited about is the new Pequot Woodlands casino in the heart of the property. We took our grand ballroom that was about 40,000 square feet and removed all the walls, stripped it straight down to the studs and created a 60,000 square foot casino. What sets this casino apart is its integration of subtle Native Pequot elements, an ode to the legacy of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe as the “people of the much-wooded land.” We wanted to make it feel like you were in a forest, so there are pillars that are wrapped with wood around them.
Also, our High Limit Slot Area boasts over 130 slot machines beneath chandeliers suspended above the gaming floor. The 40-seat slot bar, which we’ve named “Truth Searcher,” invites guests to indulge in a luxurious experience, while our 24 table games and over 400 state-of-the-art slot machines provide the most start-of-the-art, cutting-edge gaming technology. This hub of activity – between the new casino, Hell’s Kitchen and Wahlburgers – propels our property into an era of excitement, creating an unforgettable destination that blends luxury, flavor and thrills.
What are some of the key principles that have guided your decision-making throughout your tenure at Foxwoods Resort Casino?
I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive and innovative tribal council whom I report to. Their leadership has allowed our teams success throughout these turbulent several years. Whether it was reopening after Covid-19 or approving and supporting our vision for the future of Foxwoods, they’ve been there with us all the way through and continue to be supportive and engaged in our success as a team. I’ll also add that I’ve found one of the most important aspects of my role was to stay in touch with industry peers – not just in gaming, but in hospitality in general. During the pandemic, we saw several competitors reach out and help each other, talking and sharing ideas about how everyone was going to recover from this challenging time. It really helped businesses move forward and thrive.
The entertainment and hospitality industries have shifted due to global events and changing consumer behaviors. How has Foxwoods adapted its business strategies and guest experiences?
During the pandemic, entertainment and hospitality were two of the hardest hit industries – and both happened to be our core business model, so we’ve had to adapt. We did what we could to make sure people were comfortable and distanced, and during a period of time during the pandemic, we opened a 65 and over casino for guests who felt uncomfortable being around a younger crowd. Prior to the pandemic, we were a smoking facility – but post pandemic, we’ve continued to remain non-smoking. Our guests have appreciated adjustments like this that we’ve made over the years.
What is your vision for Foxwoods Resort Casino over the next few years, and how do you plan to keep innovating?
I’d really like Foxwoods to become the greatest integrated resort destination on the East Coast, and maybe beyond that. These developments are just the beginning. We have plans to continue to develop the land surrounding Foxwoods, including an RV Park, which we’ve been working on for many years.
We already have 36-holes of championship golf right across the street, and the Great Wolf Lodge at Mashantucket is another major development that’s well underway, which includes over 500 hotel rooms, a massive 90,000 square foot indoor waterpark, a 60,000 square foot family entertainment center, meeting space and much more. When that location opens, I think you’re really going to start to see our development process accelerate at an even faster rate than we’re going. We already have plans for more restaurants, more gaming, more non-gaming amenities and activities here on property over the next several years, and it’s exciting to know we have all those things coming.