Family entertainment center directory

- Amusement Articles -
Products & Services

Purchasing a big-ticket item such as an indoor playground, laser tag game and arena, redemption games or kitchen equipment requires big-time research, not to mention a wad of cash. Here are some tools, information, and examples to help you make informed purchasing decisions and to help you recognize a good - or bad - product when you see one.
 

Page Contents

Family entertainment center - startup Startup and Consulting Services
Fun center business plans Business Plans
Fun center business plans FEC Directory Home
Amusement equipment suppliers Articles and Guidebooks
FEC Directory contact Amusement Equipment Suppliers
FEC Directory contact Contact
 
Quick Links --
How to Start : Business Plans : Operator Manuals : Indoor Playgrounds :
Fries & Fun : Redemption Games : Funding : CEC Designs
 
 
How to Start a family Entertainment Center
fun center startup Title: Startup Academy
Publication Date: Current
Delivery: On-line via email and telephone
  Service Summary
Startup Academy is a 4-week on-line course designed and developed with the new amusement entreprenuer in mind. We help you identify your market, locate the resources and local statistics you need to clearly define your business concept - then complete an executive summary you can use to present your ideas to potential partners and funders.
More Information: Here
 
Purchase this Service
Electronic Download & Consulting
$54.95
Start-Up Academy
Top
operators manual guest service
Title: FEC Mentor Project
Publication Date: Current
Length: As long as it takes
File Size: N/A
  Mentor Project Summary
Need some steady, unbiased industry advice? How about a been there-done that shoulder to lean on? Then you need a mentor. The FEC Directory in cooperation with some of the industrues most successful owner/operators have created this unique opportunity to consult with owners and managers regarding your own ideas, market area and fun center concept. Need to know if your financial projections make sense? Want a second opinion on that cool activity idea? How about planning your birthday parties - what works best?
Enrollment: This project comes with a minimal investment that ensures those who participate are serious. As you can appreciate, the time of a successful owner operator is finite and that wisdom is of value. One good call to a participating mentor could save you hours of time and thousands of dollars. Enroll today and let your ideas soar!
More Information: Here
 
Purchase This Service
Telephone Call &
On-Line Resource
$59.95
FEC Mentoring
Top
operators manual guest service
Title: Operators Manual - Guest Services
Includes Forms: Yes
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 11 pages
File Size: 336k
  Operating Manual Summary
READY TO PRINT - Download this WORD document and use it in your own Operators Manual. Meeting customers' expectations is a fundamental business principle. Your family fun center is in business to create satisfied customers, and it is critical that every guest experience creates a positive visit to your facility. This Operators Manual and Employee Handbook contains techniques and strategies to help you and your employees deliver exceptional guest service through the delivery of fun. Topics include Guest Service Guidelines, Exceeding Expectations, Products and Programmes, Handling Guest Complaints, Resolving Complaints, Suggestive Selling, Exit Interviews, Birthday Party's, Group Functions and Telephone Proceedures.
Complete Operating Forms: This Manual / Handbook comes with complete operating forms (pdf format) you can use in your business, including; Party Room Bookings Form, Party Function Form, Function Cost Form, Exit Interview Questionnaire, Customer Comment Form, and Guest Services Complaint Form.
Total Forms: 6
Total Form Pages: 16
 
Purchase This Manual
Electronic Download
$16.95
Top
childrens play center operators manual
Title: Operators Manual - CEC Operating Proceedures
Includes Forms: Yes
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 21 pages
File Size: 345k
  Operating Manual Summary
READY TO PRINT - Download this WORD document and use it in your own Operators Manual. Complete CEC Operators Manual is a central component to your complete employee handbook. It's all here, opening the store, greeting customers, maintenance schedules, cleaning operations, food area proceedures, close out sales reporting, party booking proceedures, check-in counter, merchandise area policies and proceedure, membership application and much more.
Complete Operating Forms: This Manual / Handbook comes with complete operating forms (pdf format) you can use in your business, including; Store Managers Training Checklist (3-pages), Company Purchase Order, Managers Daily Checklist, Food Service Daily Checklist, Welcome Desk Daily Checklist, Washroom Hourly Checklist, Facility Evaluation Form (16 pages), Opening Daily Checklist and Closing Daily Checklist.
Total Forms: 9
Total Form Pages: 28

See Sample Form - Click Here (pdf file)
 
Purchase This Manual
Electronic Download
$32.95
Top
operators manual personnel management
Title: Operators Manual - Personnel Management
Includes Forms: Yes
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 24 pages
File Size: 164k
  Operating Manual Summary
Personnel Management means people power. The conscientious hiring, staffing and continued training of employees is crucial to the success of your entertainment center business. This 24 page Operators Manual provides information on how the law relates to fair employment practises, employer - employee relations, recruiting new employees, training and guiding staff, and how to motivate and keep productive employees.
Complete Operating Forms: This Manual comes with complete operating forms (pdf format) you can use in your business, including; Uniform Receipt Form, Employee Time Sheet, Application for Employment Form, Performance Appraisal Reviews, and a Staff Training Check List.
Total Forms: 5
Total Form Pages: 9
 
Purchase This Manual
Electronic Download
$28.95
Top
fun center job descriptions
Title: Operators Manual - Formal Job Descriptions
Includes Forms: Not Applicable
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 21 pages
File Size: 212k
 

Operating Manual Summary
READY TO PRINT - This WORD document includes 8 complete, detailed job descriptions for every position in your new business. Why spend time developing a complete set of job descriptions, or trying to make a restuarant template fit your amusement center? These complete descriptions are amusement specific to your fun center / children's entertainment center business.
Package includes; Store Manager, Assistant Store Manager, Guest Services Manager, Guest Services Assistant Manager, Party Room Captain, Party Room Assistant, Equipment Manager and Assistant Equipment Manager. Descriptions detail each positions role in Guest Service, Marketing and Promotions, Operations, Inventory Control, Facility Maintenance, Safety, Staffing and Financial responsibilities.

 
Purchase This Manual
Electronic Download
$34.95
Top
fun center employee handbook
fun center forms

Title: Complete Operators Manuals & Employee Handbook
Includes Forms: 15 Forms
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 105 pages
File Size: 851k
Save 25%
Retail Price $113.80
Package Price: $85.35

 

Operating Manual Summary
READY TO PRINT - Get all of the above in one complete package! Includes all Employee/Operators Handbooks and ALL Forms. Easy to print and use - customizable for your business, simply print, bind it and review it with your new employees. Just starting out? This complete, valuable operators manual can be added directly to your business plan.

 
Purchase This Product
Electronic Download
$85.35
Top
fun center forms
fun center operators manual

Title: Complete Operators Forms
Includes Forms: 15 Forms
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 53 pages
File Size: 851k
Package Price: $59.95

 

Operating Forms Summary
READY TO PRINT - Don't need a full Operators Manual, but could use a complete set of FEC forms? Get all of the above FORMS in one complete package! Easy to print and use - customizable for your business, simply print, add your employee manual, bind it and use it in your daily operations. These valuable forms can be added directly to your business planning.

 
Purchase This Product
Electronic Download
$59.95
Top
family entertainment center business plans
  Title: Completed Business Plan
Publication Date: Market Specific
Delivery: Email, telephone, internet
  Product Summary
We do the work for you. Writing an amusement center business plan is a daunting experience to be certain. Use our experience and knowledge to help you get there faster. You do the research, we write the plan. You stay intimately involved, so you can present your completed plan with confidence. Use what research you have done so far, or if starting from scratch - we can help.
More Information: Here
 
Purchase this Service
Electronic Download & Consulting
$549.95
Top
  Title: Fun Center Business Plan
Publication Date: February 2006
Delivery: Download word document and financial statements
  Product Summary
For the entreprenuer who is looking to complete their fun center business plan. Not some mamby-pamby daycare plan or restuarant plan you still have to spend countless hours editing and completing, this plan is amusement industry complete. Includes industry data, stats, startup costs and complete financial statements for years one - five.
More Information: Here
 
Purchase this Service
Electronic Download & Consulting
$89.95
Top
  Title: Fun Center Business Plan < Package >
Publication Date: February 2006
Delivery: Download word document and financial statements
  Product Summary
Get the complete fun center business plan and a few more goodies and services to make the process even easier;
- Enrollment in the Alternate Sources of Funding Database
- Inclusion in our exclusive Mentor Program
- How to Start a Family Entertainment Center Guidebook
More Information: Here
 
Purchase this Service
Electronic Download & Consulting
$167.00
Top
   
amusement industry data
how to start a family entertainment center Title: How to Start a Family Entertainment Center
Publication Date: September 2005
Length: 42 pages
File Size: 820k
  Guidebook Summary
You could spend the next 30-90 days searching for materials and information from various amusement equipment suppliers who will all tell you that if you buy their latest and greatest indoor playground, miniature golf, laser tag, or other amusement equipment you will make a lot of money in this business. -- OR -- you can get the unbiased, complete and comprehensive family fun center industry report here.
More Information: Here
Purchase This Guidebook
Electronic Download
$29.95
Top
fries with your fun center Title: Would You Like Some Fries With Your Fun?
Publication Date: March 2006
Length: 5 pages
File Size: 1.1mb
  Article Summary
Food service will play an ever-increasing role in the changing face of today's family entertainment business. If you have kids, or even just know a few, you are well aware that food is an important, tricky part of a successful formula for attracting and keeping customers.
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$2.95
Top
indoor playgrounds - what works Title: Indoor Playgrounds - How to Design What Works
Publication Date: April 2006
Length: 20 pages
File Size: 2.4mb
  Guidebook Summary
Starting a Childrens Entertainment Center or planning on birthday party's usually means including an indoor playground. At last count there were 10 plus indoor play manufacturers - how do you chose the right one? In this 14 page Guidebook learn how indoor playgrounds are priced, how the included activity mix (slides, punch-bags, ball-pools, climbs, crawls and more) are critical to your fun centers "Play-A-Bility" factor and how to design the best indoor playground for your business goals. What activities are must have's - and what activities the manufacturer will try to include to save themselves time and money at the expense of your business success. Strategies discussed include themeing - should you? At what cost? Or are there alternatives? How to please your most important customer - Mom, and what activities to include that will maximize your return while ensuring a high repeat desire (the "nag-factor") from your end customers, the kids. Includes insider tips on negotiating the best price, including installation strategies that will save you thousands of dollars. Know what the playground sales guy knows - and save your money!
Purchase This Guidebook
Electronic Download
$12.95
Top
redemption games and the FEC Title: Redemption Games and the FEC
Publication Date: August 2005
Length: 8 pages
File Size: 1.5mb
  Article Summary
The key to a successful redemption operation in your family entertainment center (FEC) is to start building the demand for redemption prizes among your customers by encouraging them to play your redemption games. This is especially important if your customer base is from the ages 2-12 and you offer birthday party's. The main reason FECs perform birthday parties and advertise discount packages is to bring in lots of first-time customers. Your real profits are made when these customers have a great time and come back again and again. Redemption plays a major role in this cycle.
 
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$4.95
Top
redemption games Title: Redemption Games 101
Publication Date:January 2006
Length: 21 pages
File Size: 200k
  Guidebook Summary
Redemption games account for as much as 60% of revenues at some successful fun centers. A huge sales opportunity that can add profits to your bottom-line, but more importantly can help you create a "family-friendly" play experience that will help you drive repeat visits. In this new developers Guidebook, learn the basics of adding a profitable games room;
What are the differences between Arcade Games and Redemption Games?
How to determine which games and what mix are right for your facility?
Understanding pricing formulas and ticket value.

Merchandise - Real-World Examples.
For many new developers, understanding how ticket-values and pay-outs work can be a little confusing at first. How to source your redemption game merchandise and how to price it to create perceived value while earning maximum return is the primary driver when selecting games, mercahdnise and designing the best games room layout. In this Guidebook, learn some of the best kept secrets from owner/operators;
How to create a winning redemption counter - that sells. 
Price examples with case studies.
How to set point-values on all your merchandise.

80% of Family Entertainment Centers offer games. What works for your business and your market area may not be the same as the guy across town - find out what the differences are, which games and games styles will work for you.
 
Purchase This Guidebook
Electronic Download
$24.95
Top
amusement center - location Title: Location, Location, Location
Publication Date: August 2005
Length: 4 pages
File Size: 584k
  Article Summary
While facility layouts and attractions selection are critical variables important to your facility's ultimate success, their impact cannot be achieved without first identifying a proper venue. Finding the careful balance between land cost and location is a multi-step process, and one that requires time, patience, and a willingness to perform a substantial amount of research.
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$2.95
Top
amusement funding Title: Sources of Amusement Funding
Publication Date: March 2006
Length: 11 pages
File Size: 839k
  Article Summary
There are two rocks on the road for many new amusement developers; location and funding. For many, funding is the bigger of the two. In this 3-part article learn the realities of funding, including; Government and community programs, equipment financing, new facility funding, street funding, establising relationships with creditors and alternate sources of funding such as venture capital and private investors.
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$6.95
Top
fec - facility layout Title: Facility Layout - How to Design Your Children's Entertainment Center
Publication Date: February 2006
Length: 7 pages
File Size: 367k
  Article Summary
Good facility design is absolutely critical to the success of your amusement center. At most you have 30 seconds to make that first impression, and having guests stuck at the front entry trying to get past exiting patrons with 20 cake-filled-sugar-high screaming kids is not the best 'Hi, how are you and welcome'. Good design enables you to increase your revenues while reducing labor costs, streamline your party experience, sell more food, peripheral services and products. In this 7 page article learn some of the basic necessities and layout startegies that can help you create the best guest experience. Based on a 12,000 square foot CEC the article includes sample floor plan with example sections, including food service, stage area, main entry, kiddie rides and more.
 
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$4.95
Top
fun center - group sales Title: Group Sales - Developing a Plan That Works
Publication Date: Spring 2005
Length: 7 pages
File Size: 367k
  Article Summary
Group sales events are virtually ironclad sources of guaranteed revenue. Many larger parks and FECs have long emphasized group sales, however smaller operations can also profit from the addition of a group sales plan. For smaller centers and individual operators, a group sales strategy can easily equal 30 percent of the days revenues, and usually accounts for much more. And once a group sales program is in place it usually operates very smoothly for years, avoiding the time and expense of constantly having to reinvent the position. In this article find some great resources and ideas to help you develop, initiate and profit from a group sales program.
 
Order This Article
Electronic Download
$2.95
Top
View Shopping Cart
Sponsored By
fun center directory - advertise
"When it comes to fun center marketing, my best advice is to not get stuck with a long term contract. Although we are confident our marketing strategy was the right thing to do, moving forward we would not sign any long term agreements for TV placement or other such expensive advertsing."
"We talk with many new entreprenuers looking to start their own Family entertainment center. The first thing we advise them on is a market analysis"
"We really weren't too keen on adding anything beyond a basic concession stand. Looking back over last year, the best decision we made was to include food service, and expand our menu offering."
"Don't neglect to get city planners and community leaders involved, and the earlier the better - that move alone will save you big time when you start construction..."
"Our best advice is simple... work with a professional and realize it will cost you more then you think, and take longer than you imagined."
fastest go-karts
"We were fortunate that our immediate family was willing and able to help us with our funding. But it took us over a year to finally find and secure the right location."
"One public school athletics coach I knew went to all the parents in his community with an idea for a fun center and found five interested parties who together put up the required equity capital. Using the group’s local banking connections, they were able to obtain the necessary financing."
"Never, never trust a hand-shake and a good conversation. After losing a great location to someone else our new landlord stuck us good on empty promises."
View Shopping Cart
inflatable playgrounds
"The number one mistake we see most is this silly notion of 'build it and they will come'. Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes a constant, daily effort to successfully market a family entertainment center."
"Get down on the floor and talk with your guests. In my facility I want to know daily exactly how people found us, what they like about us, what we could do better and what else we could offer."
"I don't think this business will buy me my own tropical island, but it is a hell of a lot of fun to come to work."
"Laser tag is all about through-put. And when it comes to maximizing through-put, work with a company that has a history of creating success in facility design."
View Shopping Cart
"Our biggest surprise after opening was how many me-too's thought they could do it better. It kept us on our toes, always looking for ways to improve our services and create guest value."
"Play value is key. You absolutely must have a management team that can leave their ego at the door and see their guest value proposition from the guests point of view."
fun center climbing wall
"We got involved in our community, the local Chamber of Commerce, PTA, and every business networking opportunity we could find. Eventually that effort lead us to three community pillars who helped us secure our initial funding."
"...food service is very important. It extends your length of stay, helps you brand your facility and keeps dollars that might otherwise go to someone else, in your pocket."
"It's not that difficult. Initially just the thought of "food-service" scared us. The prep work, the staffing, the equipment costs and every other detail... but after tuning in to Amusement Expo we saw and learned that there are wonderful new technologies and products out there that can help anybody relatively easily get into and execute on delivering really great food service to their facility."
arcade games and amusement equipment
"...not once, but twice now we have lost the perfect site. The first time it was frustrations around zoning and permitting, this time it's been all about dealing with an impossible landlord and his commercial real-estate broker."
"It just boggles our mind how new developers will go through the arduous process of developing their business plan, securing a site and their funding, then put a blank-faced 16 year old with no training at the front counter or on the phone..."
jumbo redemption crane