Mini-Bowling vs Traditional Lanes
Thoughts on Either type of Bowling Games
Where the real money comes in with Bowling of either kind, is in the fact that it is an activity for all age groups. Adults who don’t want to play tag can bowl. Children who are too small can also bowl. Bowling lanes also give a natural confined border to a family, group, or party. People are used to keeping their group in that confinement of a lane or group of lanes and seem to appreciate the “private” area it offers to them. Bowling becomes the anchor area for customers who have a group party event. Most centers that set up Bowling as a separate party area rent the space out by the hour or hour and half. 4 lanes can garner over $100 an hour in additional revenue, not counting mandatory food and beverage purchase.
Regulation Bowling Lanes
Typical bowling only revenues in traditional bowling centers is $28,000 per lane bed per year. Family Entertainment Centers Report bowling only revenues of $45,000-$60,000 per lane bed. Typical bowling centers carry a total revenue average of $49,800 per lane bed annually, whereas Family Entertainment Centers (FEC) report a wide range of $85,000-$260,000 per lane bed. The differences in FECs is that they have multiple revenue centers and typical bowling centers have only food and beverage, arcade, and maybe billiards or pro shop. Obviously, the more attractions offered—the more revenue can be generated. Where the real money comes in with Bowling of either kind, is in the fact that it is an activity for all age groups. Adults who don’t want to play tag can bowl. Children who are too small can also bowl. Bowling lanes also give a natural confined border to a family, group, or party. People are used to keeping their group in that confinement of a lane or group of lanes and seem to appreciate the “private” area it offers to them. Bowling becomes the anchor area for customers who have a group party event. Most centers that set up Bowling as a separate party area rent the space out by the hour or hour and half. 4 lanes can garner over $100 an hour in additional revenue, not counting mandatory food and beverage purchase.
Regulation bowling advantages over mini bowling:
- Sanctioned leagues can be formed on 4 lanes or more.
- People are familiar with full size bowling
- Incremental income from shoe rental
- Customers are free to bring personal bowling equipment
- Appeals to traditional bowlers
Mini Bowling Games
Typical Revenues as an arcade game average between $18,500 and $45,000 per lane. Obviously the location, number units available and prominence of activity all play a roll. In an FEC where the emphasis is on mass tokens given to party goers, this game will do a better job of capturing the attention of the token feeding frenzy. As a rental area, by the hour or by the party, Mini Bowling can also generate over a $100 an hour for a pair of lanes. Games are quicker and therefore can accomodate larger parties and keep the attention of younger bowlers.
Mini bowling advantages over regulation bowling are:
- 33% less space and costs
- More reliable String Pinsetters, no full time mechanic needed while bowling, less parts replacement
- No oiling of lanes required
- Can have redemption tickets/bill exchanger added
- Faster game, especially for small children
- Higher scores for kids than regular bowling (More likely to beat Grandpa)
- More bowlers per lane is feasible
- One size ball for all, 5 lbs.
- No need to rent special shoes, unless you want to for extra revenue
- Customers will not bring in extra ball bags, rosin bags, shoes, etc… (This stuff takes up space in seating areas of traditional lanes)
- Appeals to Soccer Moms and Hockey Dads
Other Advantages to Both - Both types of bowling are enhanced by adding light and sound packages over the lanes, you can create different entertainment environment options for different groups. Add a DJ for even more interaction. Adding Media mask (covers wall at end of 2 lanes) or Mega Media mask (covers 4 lanes), you can create another revenue source for videos or special corporate presentations. |
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