Opening a successful family entertainment center takes strategic planning and preparation. Follow these essential tips when starting your entertainment venue.
Conduct Market Research
Before opening a family entertainment center, it’s crucial to do thorough market research. This involves assessing the demographics in your local area to determine if there is sufficient demand. Consider the number of families with children, average household income, and how much competitors are charging. You can gather data by surveying residents, observing foot traffic at other entertainment venues, and reviewing market research reports. This will help you validate whether there is an unmet need for a family entertainment center in your location.
Develop A Strong Business Plan
With a business plan, you can thoughtfully map out all aspects of your family entertainment center. Include an executive summary, company overview, market analysis, operations plan, and financial projections. Outline your unique value proposition and how you will differentiate from competitors. Detail the activities, games, food services, staffing requirements, equipment costs, and all other operational logistics. Develop a marketing strategy for how you will advertise to local families. Having a comprehensive business plan is key for securing financing and loans.
Obtain Funding & Financing
Significant capital is required to start a family entertainment center. The costs of leasing a spacious venue, buying games and equipment, and funding operating expenses before revenue comes in can easily amount to over $1 million. Explore funding options such as small business loans, equipment financing loans, and small business grants. Have detailed financial statements ready to demonstrate that your business plan is financially viable and that you can repay loans. It’s wise to get quotes from various lenders and compare terms.
Design The Floor Plan
Carefully design how you will use every square foot of your facility. Maximize open spaces for active games while allowing room for lines and traffic flow. Ensure the floor plan meets safety codes and is accessible for those with disabilities. Allocate space for redemption counters, snack bars, sitting areas, private party rooms, lobbies, restrooms etc. Use CAD software to experiment with different layouts. Place loud activities away from quiet spots. Have electrical outlets available throughout for powering games.
Purchase Equipment & Games
Build an inventory of attractions that appeal to all ages and interests. Focus on a mix of active games, skill games, interactive consoles, and redemption games. Consider classics like skee-ball, an inflatable basketball court, racing simulators, and arcade machines. Provide tickets or redeemable points that kids can accumulate to trade for prizes. All equipment should be commercial-grade, durable, and pass routine safety inspections.
Hire & Train Staff
Quality staff will be fundamental to running a smooth operation and keeping customers happy. Hire managers with entertainment venue experience. Train staff on all games and activities. Set service standards that emphasize friendliness, safety, and fun. Make sure staff are trained on access control, dealing with disruptive guests, handling customer complaints, administering first aid, and emergency procedures. Conduct background checks when hiring those who will supervise children.
With meticulous planning and engaging offerings, your entertainment center can be a community fixture families turn to for years to come.
