Circus Circus Closes Food Court, Kicks Out Operator, Here’s What’s Next

By Scott Roeben, on August 14 2026
3 min read 0 comments
Las Vegas Las Vegas Restaurants

We did not start this blog to be a noted food court expert. We started this blog for the groupies. The groupies thing hasn’t gone to plan, so we’re stuck being a noted food court expert. Sigh.

Back in April 2026, we broke the news that the operator of the food court at Circus Circus, Feel Good Brands, filed for bankruptcy. At the time, Feel Good Brands owed Circus Circus back rent, but the bankruptcy staved off a closure of the food court. Now, not so much. The food court at Circus Circus has now completely closed, with its former operator owing the resort about $2 million in delinquent rent.

Onward and upward! We’ve got details about what’s next at Circus Circus, bajillionaire Phil Ruffin’s beloved but much-maligned clown-themed cash factory.

Some would posit the comedic efficacy of this image is contingent upon prior familiarity with the source material. Those people are not fun at parties.

First, good news!

While the Krispie Kreme stand at Circus Circus was operated by Feel Good Brands, it’s still operating. It was closed for four days, but it’s back.

That’s because the new food court operator saved the day and worked out a deal to keep it open.

That day-saver is Tony Ravelo. Ravelo’s company, Ravelo Brands, operates Chicho’s Tacos at Circus Circus as well as Michoacan Mexican, Michos Tacos, Fresh Mex, Mucho Loco, Poke Studio and others.

Ravelo has already started work on the new and improved Circus Circus food court, and from the sounds of it, we may need to start calling it a “food hall.”

Things move fast in Vegas. Somebody get a Sharpie.

We’ve been told Ravelo isn’t going to bring in known brands; he’s coming up with eight new concepts (two in each of the venue’s four counters).

That’s a lot. The concepts will run the gamut, whatever a gamut might actually be.

There will be a hot dog stand, Italian and ramen, as well as other tried-and-true food court favorites.

When it closed, the previous food court had Burger King, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Pick Up Stix, a virtual who’s-who of “Who cares?”

The schedule was spotty, the service was spottier and the food was a solid 4.5 out of 10, even grading on the fast food curve.

Word is Ravelo has brought on a well-respected local chef to create the menus for his eight new concepts.

Here’s a look at current food court sitch.

Typically, when there’s a management shift of a food court or restaurant, prices don’t go down. In this case, we’re getting the sense Circus Circus and Ravelo felt like the previous operator was inflating prices beyond the comfort level of the typical value-seeking Circus Circus guest.

We were given the example of a typical Burger King meal costing $18. For one person. Multiply that out for a family of 12 (have you ever been to Circus Circus?), and that’s prohibitive.

Could the new Circus Circus food court actually see a reduction in prices? That would be truly shocking, but a definite market differentiator.

We find ourself having strong, warm feelings about Tony Ravelo despite not knowing him.

The Circus Circus food court is expected to reopen in 8-10 weeks, which puts us into mid-October 2026.

Honestly, Circus Circus without a food court is like “The Walking Dead” without Rick Grimes. You can do it, but it would muck with the formula, and we all saw how that went.

The previous operator invested a substantial amount in infrastructure for the space, we’re told, so Ravelo should benefit from that investment. It also avoids Circus Circus having to sink more money into the venue.

This is the real sign. It stays, according to a Circus Circus official who, thankfully, fought to keep it in all its primary-and-secondary color palette glory.

We’re intrigued by the idea of Circus Circus having a food court that isn’t just some cookie-cutter formula. You know the one: Nathan’s, check. Wing Zone, check. Bonanno’s, check. Johnny Rockets, check. Auntie Anne’s, check. Popeyes, check. Del Taco, check.

You get the idea. All perfectly fine, but franchised brands tend to inspire yawns. It’s often like when casino resorts get to the bottom of their to-do list, they leave food courts for last.

The recent explosion of food courts (they’re the new Las Vegas buffets) has shaken things up a bit, but prices have been elevated to match the fancy new surroundings.

That’s why we’re looking forward to seeing what Tony Ravelo and his team have in store.

Circus Circus is one of the bastions of value on the Las Vegas Strip, and she deserves a food court that’s worthy of her enduring, populist appeal.

And by “populist” we mean family-friendly. Hey, nobody’s perfect.