China Grill reported to be laying off 350 people

LAS VEGAS -- China Grill Management reportedly will lay off more than 350 employees from its restaurants in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. The restaurants Red Square, China Grill and Red, White and Blue are set to close Nov. 18, employees have told the Review-Journal.

In a statement, Terry Zarikian, China Grill Management's director of product development, said:

"In connection with last week's announcement of the rebranding of The Hotel at Mandalay Bay to [The] Delano, Morgans Hotel Group, or its affiliates, has acquired the leases for China Grill, Red Square and Red, White, and Blue. The restaurants will continue to be operated under those brands until November 18."

China Grill Management rents space in Mandalay Bay from MGM Resorts International.

New food and beverage concepts will be introduced there by The Light Group, although specifics aren't yet being disclosed. The Light Group already operates the restaurants Fix, Brand, Stack and Diablo's in Las Vegas.

If history repeats itself, the employees of China Grill, Red Square and Red, White, and Blue may not have reason to worry. In 2011, when The Light Group acquired leases for China Grill's Delano-based restaurants in Miami Beach, most China Grill employees were retained or rehired.