Cheers and tears — that’s how thousands of Hard Rock workers reacted when they learned their paychecks are about to get a lot bigger. As inflation surges and recession fears linger, Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming will spend more than $100 million to raise wages significantly for half of its U.S. workforce, more than 10,000 employees. In Florida, where the company is headquartered, some team members could get $16,000 more than the state’s minimum wage, Hard Rock said. Inflation is having an impact on the company, resulting in some softening in July, Allen said. Rising rates and pressure on people’s savings could put pressure on Hard Rock for the second half of 2022 and the first two quarters of 2023, he said.

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