As evidenced by his rise from working as a hotel valet to helping run casino properties, gaming industry pro Tim Kuykendall is always up for a new challenge.
In October, the San Diego native was announced as general manager at OYO resort, the former Hooters property just east of the Strip on Tropicana Avenue. An India-based company, OYO purchased the resort in August and is in the middle of the rebrand.
Kuykendall, the former vice president of the Strat and, most recently, a vice president for Golden Entertainment properties in Laughlin, explains the rebrand and more in this interview, which has been edited for brevity and clarity.
How’s the rebrand going so far? When a property goes through a rebranding, there’s typically quite a bit of planning to make sure you get the message out good and strong to consumers and other partners. It’s a big undertaking with a lot of marketing and creative involvement. Things are going well.
OYO isn’t technically on the Strip, but it’s right there for all intents and purposes. What are your thoughts on running such a visible property? We love our location. We’re really close to one of the busiest intersections—Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard—in the world. Our location is amazing. The gaming industry in Las Vegas, in particular, is very dynamic. It has evolved over the years, so there’s constant change, and you have to be able to adapt to that change. As an example of how things change, just a few years ago, food and beverage was just an amenity of the casino. Now, food and beverage is a focal point for visitors to Las Vegas. It’s become one of the reasons why people choose to stay at a particular property. For OYO, having the world’s largest Hooters, we’re positioned well for guests who enjoy that type of atmosphere.
How has technology changed the casino and resort business? Not only has technology become a big part of our industry, it’s a big part of our society. People want mobility. Hand-held devices are in everybody’s pocket, and they want to have the freedom and mobility to book rooms and show tickets and things like that online. The bar scene has also really changed. Ten years ago, meganightclubs were the big thing. What we’re seeing now is a transition—guests are looking for more intimate settings. You’re seeing smaller bars and lounges opening up, which also positions us very well, because we have several options like that.
Parking had been free at the OYO parking structure when it was a Hooters property, and that hasn’t changed yet. Will free parking continue? Absolutely. Our position is we want to provide a fun and exciting experience for our guests at a value. That value comes in many different forms. One is our competitive price point for our hotel rooms, another is free parking. You can get a beer at our Underground Lounge for $2. If you get 30 wings at Hooters, we’ll pour you a pitcher of beer on the house. You can play $1 blackjack here. We focus a lot on the value side, but our team members also have a lot of energy. It’s not uncommon to see dealers high-fiving guests in our casino when they win a hand.
You began your career in gaming as a valet at the Ritz-Carlton in Phoenix. Why did you want to get into the industry, and why have you stayed? I love the gaming industry. I’ve wanted to be in this industry since I was kid. It’s such a dynamic industry, and you get to learn so much about so many different business dynamics. Guest service is key, and you have to really be service-oriented if you want to be in this business. It’s fast-paced and exciting; there’s never a dull moment. I believe that whatever you do in life, you have to love it or you have to change. For me, I love what I do.