August 2022 // Vol. 30
AFTER SCHOOL BOWLING
CREATE A TEAM THAT WORKS
A GRAND PATIO
Attracting the Right Staffers
Flexible Space for Increased Profits
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Contents 6
August 2022 | Vol 30.8
Publisher’s Column
THE MOST GLORIOUS TIME OF THE YEAR
Back to school time opens the doors to opportunity BY STEPHANIE DAVIS
10
Design
THE GRAND PATIO
Profitable, flexible outdoor spaces BY DANIEL ELLMAN
14
Cover Story
AFTER SCHOOL BOWLING
Good for business, the community, and growing the sport BY MARK MILLER
22
14
Human Resources
CREATE A TEAM THAT WORKS Attracting the right staffers BY CANDI KELLEY
26
Marketing
GENERATION X
Consumers with time and money to spend BY NATALIE DAVIS
28
Feature
GROWING A COMPETITIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL BOWLING PROGRAM Middle schoolers in Flint, MI, try bowling as a school sport
28
BY MARK MILLER
PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Stephanie Davis
stephanie@bowlingindustry.com
1850 San Marco Rd Marco Island, FL 34145 (239) 366-2230 Fax (239) 970-0538 stephanie@bowlingindustry.com
www.BowlingIndustry.com HOTLINE: 855-415-7517
MARKETING MANAGER & SALES Natalie Davis
natalie@bowlingindustry.com
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Mike Fernandez
mike@bowlingindustry.com
EDITORIAL
MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:
Jackie Fisher
fisher@bowlingindustry.com
Patty Heath
patty@bowlingindustry.com
OFFICE MANAGER Roxanne Damask
roxanne@bowlingindustry.com 4 IBI August 2022
CONTRIBUTORS Natalie Davis Stephanie Davis Daniel Ellman Mike Fernandez Patty Heath Candi Kelley Mark Miller Darlene Ransom
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Editorial
THE MOST GLORIOUS TIME OF THE YEAR IT’S BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME, AND WHO IS ALMOST AS HAPPY AS PARENTS? MAYBE PROPRIETORS BOASTING STRONG YOUTH PROGRAMS!
I
t’s back-to-school time, and what better way to kick off this exciting time of the year than with two valuable stories about how operators are increasing youth customers in their centers. These cash-carrying, hungry, thirsty, eager-for-fun, small consumers may be just the ticket to boosting the number of kids and families your center attracts. The historically popular after-school bowling program has been around for years but hasn’t always been embraced by operators, perhaps because it’s a laborintensive program, but one worth considering! Hear from operators who share the tea on its benefits, transportation considerations, and making initial contact with schools. The second youth-focused story is a quick read about middle school bowling and how proprietors in Flint, MI, have grown a strong middle school program that is both competitive and a feeder program for their high school leagues. The benefits of exposing youth and families in your community to the sport of bowling and your center are invaluable. Daniel Ellman highlights the importance and flexibility of outdoor spaces in his story about the grand patio. After reading his article, I had the inkling to head to my nearest center and check out their patio space while sipping a cool beverage and playing a fun outdoor game. Who knows, maybe your customers would feel the same.
Finding employees and keeping the good ones around continues to be a conundrum for the masses! Candi Kelley from TrainerTainment offers some great advice on attracting the right ones and holding on to them. We all know staffers who show up to work just to get a paycheck instead of being a true part of your team and buying into your center’s culture. This month I learned more about Glenn Hartshorn from New Center Consulting (NCC). Glenn is a longtime industry veteran who is passionate about helping operators upgrade their scoring on an affordable budget. Learning more about important suppliers in the industry is my favorite part of this column, and Glenn was no exception. Meeting with operators and assessing how he can help them is a highlight for Glenn. Certainly, it seems Glenn and his team at NCC specialize in offering affordable solutions for operators of all sizes. Be sure to head over to www.bowlingindustry.com for IBI’s exclusive online-only content. If you are considering VR for your center but haven’t dipped your toe in yet, check out a dynamite article by Ryan Bromsgrove from vrCave. Ryan highlights five signs that indicate your center may be ready for the VR movement.
•
– Stephanie Davis, Publisher & Editor stephanie@bowlingindustry.com
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How to Find Replacements and Substitutes for Your Redemption Assortment BY MIKE TIPTON
from Redemption Plus
The worldwide supply chain issues are affecting every market, including supplies for your redemption center. Mike Tipton from Redemption Plus gives some insight on how you can find replacements and substitutes for some of your favorite redemption supplies that might be out of stock for a while.
Discover The Benefits of Long-Term Commercial Cleaning BY JANI-KING Many business owners view commercial cleaning as a one-time service, only needed for special occasions. Jani-King explains the benefits of a consistent commercial cleaning service and how it can reinforce your company’s image and address overall health concerns.
5 Signs Your Business is Ready for VR
Digital Signage: Some Best Practices
BY RYAN BROMSGROVE
BY JIM JUNIPER
Virtual Reality (VR) is taking over the entertainment industry. It might seem like a daunting task to even consider adding VR to your current operation, but Ryan Bromsgrove from vrCave explains the 5 signs to look for to see if you are ready to install VR.
When used right, digital signage is so much more than just an advertising tool! Jim Juniper from Control Play discusses the benefits of digital signage, as well as some best practices to help you improve your bottom line.
from vrCave
8 IBI August 2022
from Control Play
GOODHELP IS EASY TO FIND.
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Design
Welcome to the
GRAND PATIO
By Daniel Ellman
Create An Outdoor Space Your Customers Will Return To Again And Again
W
hen you think of outdoor space for bowling or family entertainment centers, what images are conjured up? A few chairs and tables where customers can eat or drink? Maybe a small lawn or, on the other end of the spectrum, a huge miniature golf course, or go-kart track? While those are often the way outdoor space is used by an entertainment facility, there are better, more flexible options out there. Have you ever considered a patio?
DON’T JUST CREATE A PATIO — CREATE A GRAND PATIO. “A grand patio is a huge outdoor space that has firepits, unique games, such as life-size Connect Four, cornhole, and more, and offers diverse areas to socialize,” said Doug Wilkerson, one of the principal owners of Dynamic Designs and head of their creative team. “It creates an atmosphere that is really unmatched in the entertainment industry.” Indeed, with swinging benches, an indoor-outdoor bar that allows a bartender to care for customers both inside the building and out, and other nontraditional features, your grand patio will likely become the talk of your center. “This attraction will give you another way to draw customers in and get them to come back and spend money,” Wilkerson said. Another reason the grand patio is so important? In a word — flexibility. Companies or families can rent it out for private parties, 10 IBI August 2022
young adults can come to socialize and meet others at night, and proprietors can build off the patio with even more profit centers in the future. “You can get innovative with what you do once the grand patio is in place,” Wilkerson said. “For instance, if you have a well-kept lawn coming off the patio, it can become a place for kids to run around and families to play lawn games. Or, you can turn the outskirts of the patio into a more natural setting with water features, a miniature golf course, and more. “It creates an opportunity to attract customers of all ages,” Wilkerson said.
HOT OR COLD? NO MATTER WHAT, PATIOS WILL WORK FOR YOU! It’s clear that grand patios are a potential boon to any FEC, no matter what type of climate you may operate in. In fact, areas with a more limited warm-weather season may find that the demand for outdoor space is even greater than in other climates. “If you ask people whether they prefer to be indoors or outdoors, probably 90% will say outdoors,” Wilkerson said, “The demand for your space will be exceptionally high during the nicer months of the year if you need to close your patio down for the winter.” You can also create the spaces to have heating features that will allow you to operate the patio well into the fall or early in the spring. “While it seems to make the most sense if you are in the south or west, grand patios will be successful for you anywhere you operate,” Wilkerson said.
Design PARTNERS IN THE PROJECT It’s important to find a design partner that can evaluate your site, determine what type of space you have available, and even ensure that you stay up to code when it comes to the amount of parking, retention areas, and more. “We have added grand patios to both existing centers and ground-up facilities,” Wilkerson said. “Obviously, there is more flexibility when building a center from scratch, but we will find ways to make your outdoor space work no matter what.” In the case of partnering with Dynamic Designs, they will visit your facility to see what options are available to build a patio off your current restaurant or bar. Then they will look at which direction your building is facing to determine the type of décor, walls, roofs, or other features that will be necessary to block the sun during high-traffic hours. “Adding a grand patio will help you stay on top of the latest trends and create a magnet to lure customers to your center for longer, more interesting, and interactive experiences,” Wilkerson said. “It makes all the sense in the world to add one to your center.” Indeed, these grand spaces are not only attractive, but they can also be profitable outdoor spaces used by customers of all ages.
•
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE Congratulations on your new center — thanks for selecting Dynamic Designs.
Interior & Exterior Design • New Concept Development Planning & Consulting • Architecture Theme Design • Re-Imagining of Existing Facilities Call (248) 644-7275 for a consultation today, and learn more at www.dynamicdesignsinc.net IBI August 2022 11
Expert Alley
with
Darlene Ransom FEC Concession Advisor
P
ost-pandemic, we are starting to understand and react to a world that will never look the same in the food and beverage realm. We have all had less-than-stellar experiences over the past two years that have left us underwhelmed and desiring more from the food service industry.
Tablets and handheld mobile payment devices have the ability to allow staff to confirm orders and accept payments without having to physically leave the table or lane. Having newer lane systems that allow for mobile ordering is ideal, however, not all centers have upgraded to that type of system. This could be the bridge product your facility needs.
As consumers, we are being told staffing levels are to blame, and to have patience, which, as consumers, we have. But as operators, we need to be a part of the new shift to better serve our guests; it’s time to be proactive in staffing levels. If you are in the position of building a ground-up food service program, you have a great advantage to design a workspace for your staff that will allow for a thoughtful layout and properly selected, smarter equipment. We are seeing a growing trend of utilizing shared staff for dual purposes during non-peak times.
Not all guests needing service will have a lane or access to a server to place an order. A kiosk placed strategically can capture that extra purchase without having to dispatch a staff member to ensure the order.
Just as important as a functional layout is the equipment and software you select for your space. If you’re an existing operator, you could also consider these concepts:
Another futuristic option that we all have been seeing more and more of is a robot delivery system. Imagine having a lane order delivered by a robot. It’s so innovative and kids get a kick out of watching it work. Not only are robots delivering food, but they are also pouring beer, creating coffees, or working in a kitchen. Robots don’t call off or show up late; basically, they are the ideal employee. Lastly, another great option for your facility is a tap and pour system. Using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, the guest can tap and pour their own beverages, being charged for exactly what they are self-pouring. The RFID is not imited to beer or wine; non-alcoholic alternatives such as kombucha or iced coffee are offered as well. Ultimately, we can choose to continue to be reactive with our staffing issues, or we can shift the narrative and take charge to please guests and change your food and beverage service program.
•
12 IBI August 2022
Cover Story
AFTER SCHOOL
BOWLING! Here’s a common scenario: • It’s 3:00 p.m. during the week. • Many centers have wide-open lanes. • The arcade is minimally busy at best. • Not many people are ordering food or drinks. Your facility might be open, but business is soft, and you are possibly hoping your staff is keeping themselves busy by cleaning or doing other proactive activities. Enter the well-recognized, albeit not consistently implemented, after-school bowling program. No doubt you’ve heard of this labor-intensive, kid-attracting, lucrative program, but you may have stayed on the fence waiting to launch your own.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? This program brings kids and their families into your center, exposes new customers to your center’s offerings, and creates a strong relationship with active community members. Think of all the opportunities that connecting with this age group and their parents can do for your center, from school fundraisers to banquets for sports or school clubs to an increase in arcade play. This extra traffic will expose your center’s other attractions, for instance, glow-bowling, and widen your reach to parents, teachers, and other school officials. The list of opportunities is nearly endless. 14 IBI August 2022
By Mark Miller
Good for Business, Good for the Community, And Good for Growing the Sport! Industry consultant, Bob Borello, has helped numerous centers launch their after-school bowling program. As the former proprietor of Holiday Lanes in Pittsburgh, PA, Borello ran a very successful program that hosted 14 elementary schools with about 800 participants. “I think you can only win with this program. It’s a big piece of business that keeps growing and growing, but it takes a lot [of energy] to accomplish that. If you’re looking for a couple hundred new families to walk through your center each week, this is a dynamite program. Anything your center has going on can be marketed to these kids and their families for free,” said Borello. Jim Teuber, Richfield Bowl and B&B Lanes proprietor in Flint, MI, has had after-school programs since the mid-1990s. “One thing I learned is that most parents of children in after-school programs typically don’t bowl, which provides the opportunity to expose a large number of new youths to the sport,” Teuber said. Matt Orvis started his after-school program 20 years ago at 60-lane Ashwaubenon Lanes outside Green Bay, WI. “It fills a time when there isn’t much going on, which makes it nice,” Orvis said. “All the benefits from this program have made it worthwhile — birthday parties, food sales, adult-youth leagues, boy scout troops, and girl scout troops.” While after-school bowling programs have proven to be lucrative long-term due to the power of customer growth, database collection, and added center
Cover Story
exposure, they can also be a winner in the short term. Most centers average between $10-$12 per child per week; others are at a higher price point due to their location, facility, and package. One thing you can count on: these kids arrive at your center after school and are usually hungry, thirsty, and have some cash in their pocket to spend.
GETTING STARTED If you’re considering starting your own program, the first step is to develop a relationship with the schools. Before the pandemic and school violence concerns, this was a more straightforward animal to wrestle down. Now it’s essential to have a good strategy of how you will reach out to the schools and share the benefits of your program. Athletic directors, teachers who bowl at your center, or high school bowling coaches may help get you in the door of the school district. “One of the key things is establishing a good relationship with the schools first,” said Andy Johnston, who has been operating an after-school program at his 30-lane Westgate Entertainment in Lima, OH, since 1997. “Any time local Andy Johnston schools need donations or help from us, we provide it. We donate pizzas for their school meetings a couple of times a year, or we might host fun staff outings. The schools know if they need anything from us, all they need is to call us, and we will help.”
TRANSPORTATION
Some operators choose bussing transportation as part of their program, making it an easy option for parents to join. Non-transportation programs are still successful but depend on the parents to chauffeur them. There are many options when considering transportation. Centers can buy buses or vans or rent them from school districts. The vehicles can operate one or two ways depending on when and where parents pick up their kids when finished. A good resource might be a local transportation company or a church. “Churches often have a bus and are looking for revenue. Contracting with a local place of worship could be a win-win for you both,” said Andy Vasko of BBBI, who has consulted with many centers over the years. Teuber rented buses and tried having the schools provide transportation. He finally bought a bus at an auction for $2,500 in 2014 and subsequently added two others: one in 2017 and one in 2019. He painted them white and added promotional wrap to the first two. With insurance, his total investment has been about $10,000 each. Andy Johnston bought his first bus in 1997 and has purchased three others. He has hired, trained, certified, and insured his drivers. Busses run from schools to the center, with parents picking up their children afterward. Westgate Entertainment hosts five schools overall, with about 450 total kids participating in each of the two sessions. “We probably had our best year ever,” Johnston said. “We have a waiting list.” IBI August 2022 15
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Cover Story
Before the pandemic, Orvis served more than 350 youth at eight schools. Rented busses from the school district’s bus company transported the young bowlers to his center. But when that entity ran into driver shortages, Orvis had to suspend his program and now is considering buying a bus to bring the program back since it was so profitable. Like other centers, Eastern Lanes, a 16-lane center in Northwood, OH, had to suspend its 30-year-old program during the pandemic but is planning its return in September with all four participating schools back on board. “I miss my kids,” said Penny Lybarger, who has owned the center since 2010. “We probably had our best year before that – between 40 and 60 kids a day, Monday through Friday.” Eastern Lanes owns one bus that picks up kids and brings them to the center. Some are bussed back to the school, and others are picked up at the center by their parents. Another consideration if you’re looking to operate this program is being sure you have appropriate supervision. “My rule of thumb is one student helper for every eight children in the program.” If this program seems like a lot of work – you’re right! Operators and their staff report that these 8–14-week programs require a lot of effort, especially in the beginning. However, the long-term benefits of offering something that
consistently draws in youth and families also generates income when most centers are soft and provide a muchneeded outlet for area children. All of this adds to an extraordinary program you can feel good offering. Kids and families are an integral part of the equation for those serious about the business of bowling and entertainment. Offering a program that is consistently good for the community, draws in new center customers, and helps grow the sport of bowling makes solid business sense. For those still somewhat on the fence, experts recommend starting with one or two days a week and seeing if the program is a fit for your center. “This program carries over to birthday parties, leagues, and the families who come back in and bowl more,” Lybarger said. “I think you really keep bowling top of mind with those kids over time,” Johnston said. “A handful of them will graduate into youth leagues, high school bowling, and eventually adult leagues.” What more could you ask for?
•
Mark Miller is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations specialist from Flower Mound, TX. He’s the author of Bowling: American’s Greatest Indoor Pastime available at Amazon.com or directly from him at markmywordstexas@gmail.com.
Note from IBI: if you decide to jump in and start your own after-school program, please let us know how it’s going. We’d love to share your experience with our readers. IBI August 2022 17
Inside Line
Meet Glenn Hartshorn By Stephanie Davis
Each month IBI’s “Inside Line” highlights a team member from one of our loyal advertisers. It’s always fun to learn a little something new about people who make things happen at their company and for the industry. This month we talked with Glenn Hartshorn, president and CEO of New Center Consulting. IBI: How long have you been in the bowling industry? Glenn: I interviewed for a position with AMF at the entrance of Detroit Metro Airport on 9/11/2001. Near the end of the interview, I mentioned something must be wrong, no planes were landing. Once the meeting concluded we saw the news reports; this was a moment I’ll never forget. I got the job shortly after and covered Michigan for AMF as the district sales manager. One state was all I needed to decide that this was an industry I wanted to stay in. IBI: Tell us about the evolution of New Center Consulting (NCC). Glenn: I started New Center Consulting in January 2007, working as a 1099 employee of US Bowling to help develop their modernization efforts. In October of that year, I decided I wanted 18 IBI August 2022
Glenn and family
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to start my own firm, and that’s where I’m at today. While I am president and CEO, I still get my hands dirty and spend a lot of time on the road doing installations, training, and renovations of existing bowling centers.
IBI: What makes New Center Consulting unique? Glenn: Our approach to scoring has been evolutionary. While working with operators, it became clear that many centers had good scoring, but just needed to replace their old, dying overhead technology with a more modern approach. We began developing and offering new products that give proprietors a variety of options that build off each other. Our niche is helping centers transition into new scoring by outlining the steps to get them there on an affordable budget. We even have some older systems running side-by-side with new TouchScore 3. We have a 72-lane center with 48 lanes of TouchScore 3 and 24 lanes of a 30-year-old scoring system. This center was able to host a state tournament on all 72 lanes with one management system and live scoring brackets! Another unique part of NCC is that we allow for 95% of our replacement parts to be purchased directly from a multitude of suppliers online, even Walmart. Our goal is to provide something that works and doesn’t make a business out of selling proprietary parts or ongoing support programs. Our tech support is free and has been ever since we established the company.
IBI: What new programs, initiatives, or apps are you working on? Glenn: There are so many third-party applications that operators use; we have concentrated our focus on integrating them for complete ease-of-use. Accounting software, league software integration, online reservations, phone booking apps, etc., can be used by any center to run a program regardless of their scoring or management system. One of these applications, Lane Engine, allows operators to handle customer transactions with no upfront costs or fees, with a cancel anytime policy, plus the rate covers all credit and debit card processing fees. These are very exciting options at little to no cost to the center. IBI: What new trends do you see through 2022? Glenn: Proprietors insisting on lower-cost upgrades and equipment. Centers cannot afford to spend tons of money to stay relevant. The customers we have ARE relevant and have stayed so for a fraction of the cost.
20 IBI August 2022
Glenn and his wife
IBI: What do you like most about your job? Glenn: The ability to meet so many people with a common interest and hear their stories. IBI: What is one habit, technique, or strategy that you employ at work to keep you organized and on-task? Glenn: It sounds simple, but I answer my phone! I don’t have a gatekeeper, and only have my calls go to voicemail if I’m already engaged with a customer. My hands-on approach and ease of access allow me to sell on the phone by reputation without making sales calls. IBI: When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Glenn: I spend time with my grandkids and family around the backyard pool or fire pit, depending on the Michigan weather. IBI: What would our readers be surprised to learn about you? Glenn: I once worked for International Paper Company as director of automotive sales and did well in corporate America. [It was] very different than my approach to business now.
•
REAL PEOPLE
REAL STORIES
REAL RESULTS
OUR GUESTS DON’T TOLERATE BREAKDOWNS, SO MY MACHINES NEED TO BE RELIABLE. We deliver a premium experience at River City Roll. Our guests don’t tolerate breakdowns, so my machines need to be reliable. Our EDGE Free-Fall machines run great. There are weeks that we go without a call or maintenance issue. I can say, after 31 years of working on different types of bowling machines, having the EDGE Free-Fall in my center takes a lot of stress off my back. I’ve even hired a technician who had no knowledge of bowling equipment, and he has picked up the machines fast and is doing a great job. Plus, the Tech Wizard app has been especially useful for my technicians. It notifies them if there should be a problem. It also lets them know when it’s time to do maintenance and has videos that guide them in the right direction. My guys love it!
Ken Dich, Head Mechanic
River City Roll, Richmond, VA 20 Lanes To learn more visit:
Human Resources
Is Your Team Working FOR or AGAINST YOU? I By Candi Kelley
n training sessions, I frequently ask operators to tell me about their worst employees. They always have one, and they can spend ten minutes telling me countless reasons why this employee is not good for their business. We all know the employees who work solely for the sake of a paycheck and don’t care about much else. We call those the “Just A Job” employees and they have the potential to be quite harmful to your business. At TrainerTainment, we remind our clients that every single team member is either selling or unselling your business, even if they do not realize it.
One of the most aggravating aspects of the business world is employee turnover. Especially today, finding extraordinary people is quite difficult, and keeping them on board can be even more challenging. How can you find the ones who are the right fit and ensure they stick around? Your first defense lies in the hiring and training process. Think of it like this: training starts the moment you place your job ad. The words you use are already training potential applicants on how to think about the position. In the job description, be sure to convey your company’s culture and values. If you haven’t already clearly identified what those are, put the brakes on your hiring process and get working on that first. You won’t attract the right people if you don’t put out the right messages to draw in the types of people you’re looking for. During the interview, ask questions that go beyond the job description. Ask questions that reflect your company’s values, mission, and vision. It’s important to spend the extra time on this part of the process to weed through applicants who are only interested in a paycheck and not being part of a dynamic team. Bottom line: look for people who represent your passion. Training is not a one-day event, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if it were? Instead, training should be considered a continuous 22 IBI August 2022
process that helps your team grow and become more confident in their position. Confident employees take more ownership of their responsibilities than those who aren’t. Every day you can deliver exceptional employee training. Consistent coaching and ample practice are the keys to developing an exceptional team. Sports teams, after all, practice a lot more than they play games, right? Unfortunately, we are constantly in the game at work, and we have very little time for practice. Here’s a common scenario: A new staffer is hired on a Thursday and is put into action on a Saturday with little formal training. It’s something I’ve been guilty of and some of you may have, too. The demands of business can be so tremendous that occasionally we find ourselves overlooking the training process because we’re desperate for help. Most of the time, this “throw them to the wolves” approach doesn’t work. The new employee becomes frustrated with little direction, and the rest of the staff is aggravated because the new hire doesn’t know what they are supposed to be doing or is unclear on how to do it right. To avoid this irritation and give your new team member a fighting chance, stop treating training like a singular event. Talent is not born, it is cultivated and grown. What are you doing consistently to grow the talents of your team? Practice makes better — there is no such thing as perfect! How many times have you heard yourself say, “I have told them a million times!” It makes no difference how many times you’ve told them. Instead, ask yourself “Did they understand it? How do I know if they understood it? How confident are they in their position?” As a boss, you need to check in with them to see how they are doing and if they have any questions. Give them opportunities to roleplay scenarios and practice the
Human Resources correct process. What might seem natural to you doesn’t always seem obvious to others.
can do to prevent this from happening again?” Encourage them to make a commitment to the solution.
Hold practice often. Give your team the chance to grow more confident in their positions. You may even find that they are capable and interested in expanding their role to other positions. Practice breeds confidence, and that grows competence! Practice with your team often and watch them grow, or at the very least you’ll see who isn’t making the cut.
Giving no feedback is still feedback. If you remain silent while someone engages in undesirable conduct, you are silently endorsing the behavior not just to the staff member in question but also to the entire staff. Make a habit to give frequent, personal, specific, quick, and earned feedback.
Feedback, both positive and constructive, has an important role in the training process. Reinforce the behavior you want to see more of through positive feedback. This may feel a little like recognizing someone for doing their job — and that’s exactly what it is! By nature, people respond to positive reinforcement because they want more of the feel-good vibes. Calling people out for “doing good” is a morale booster and can work wonders for the whole team. Make an effort to find the good more frequently, and then share it with your entire staff. What about the times when someone needs a correction in their behavior? The focus of the feedback should be on the behavior rather than the person. Involve the employee in the problem-solving process. “Can you tell me what you
Implementing these best practices can help you transform your team from ordinary to extraordinary. Extraordinary teams have less turnover and more retention because their confidence and competence have grown while being part of a positive culture that supports them with values and a mission. Remember, if you hire someone just because they can do a job, they’ll simply work for money. But if you hire people who buy into your corporate culture, your new employee will work through blood, sweat, and tears to be a part of your team.
•
Candi Kelley is COO at Trainertainment. Candi has 23 years of hospitality experience with a focus on amusement and attractions for the last 12 years. She is mother of two girls, ages nine and four.
IBI August 2022 23
Jason Belm 14 PBA Majors
Kyle Troup
8 time PBA Champion
monte
THE WORLD’S TWO BEST BOWLERS HAVE A MESSAGE FOR YOU Connect your center and let your bowlers compete with us! Supersize your center’s attraction by activating Lanetalk for free today. Kyle Troup and Jason Belmonte are not only bowling stars, they’re also using Lanetalk to get better. Lanetalk enhances your customers’ fun, creating happier, more frequent bowlers with more tournaments – and they get great insights to develop their play!
Lanetalk is free for centers, fast and easy to set up. For details or to connect your center today – lanetalk.com
Marketing
GENERATION
X
These Consumers Have Time and Money to Spend But May Be Waiting for Your Invitation By Natalie Davis
S
everal months ago, I wrote about reeling in customers from Generation Z. As a recap, Gen Z is anyone currently aged 6-24 years old and is a booming generation for marketing. This group of young spenders gets a lot of attention and is a focus for many bowling centers and FECs. While Gen Z and Millennials get plenty of marketing consideration, I encourage you not to forget about the all-important and spend happy Generation X, anyone born between 1965-1980 — the parents of our beloved Millennials and Gen Zers! Unfortunately, Gen X gets lost in many businesses’ marketing plans because they fall right between the significant Baby Boomers and Millennials. That is a huge mistake to make! Gen X currently makes up around 20% of the U.S. population and has vast buying power because they are at their highest-earning years or are on their way to reaching the top of their profession. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Generation X outspends all other generations when it comes to housing, clothing, eating out, and entertainment. This is great news for family entertainment centers, because Gen X is not only spending this money on themselves but on their children as well. FEC operators can get the most out of Gen X by offering deals that appeal to the adults in the family as well as the children. In fact, they are the most likely generation to shop for items on sale, because they value good deals and take advantage of them by using coupons. Your FEC can maximize profits from Gen X by offering a variety of deals such as by-one-get-one (BOGO) coupons, happy hours, discounted times of day for activities, etc. Your center probably already offers some of
26 IBI August 2022
these deals. However, by advertising them you can get more of the Gen X crowd in your doors. How do you reach the Gen X crowd? This generation is experienced online and enjoys receiving content that way, but also enjoys more traditional methods, as some of this generation is closer to the Baby Boomer age than the younger set. • 48% listen to the radio • 62% still read newspapers • 85% watch traditional television An online presence with this group is important too! Gen X loves social media: 95% of them report using Facebook; 47% report using Instagram. On top of that, 72% of Gen Xers use the internet to research businesses. Using social media marketing, such as Facebook ads and email campaigns, will get their attention. Even though Gen X likes to spend money, they are savvy consumers who want to be reassured they are making a good choice with their dollars. Monitoring your online reviews is a must! Be sure your website and other social media posts are up to date, so your center can gain (and keep) their trust in your business. While many people consider Gen X the “overlooked” generation, ignoring them means ignoring a demographic that has impressive influence over both household and company decisions. This generation controls a decent amount of money for themselves, their companies, and their families, so appealing to them is an all-around great strategy!
•
Feature
By Mark Miller
Growing a Competitive
MIDDLE SCHOOL Bowling Program
S
Middle schoolers in Flint, MI, try bowling as a school sport
oon after Jim Teuber learned about the middle school program started by legendary proprietor John Sommer in Rockford, IL, he told his fellow Flint, MI, area owners they needed to do the same thing.
Jim Teuber
“I immediately thought that we can do this, the same way as back in 1997, when a proprietor pounded on the table and said, ‘We need to be doing high school bowling in the state of Michigan,’ ” said Teuber, owner of two centers and treasurer of the Greater Flint Bowling Proprietors Association. “So I took it to our local association and said, ‘Here’s the manual on doing it from start to finish. We could run this for middle school bowling right after our high school bowling season finishes. We can run it pretty much the same way as high school bowling. Let’s do it.’ And they all agreed.” That was in 2012, and the program has been growing ever since.
Team spirit on the lanes
Teuber started by contacting area high school bowling coaches asking for help connecting to middle schools in their districts. In the first year, eight schools participated with 22 teams. This year there were 22 schools and 94 teams. “Once you get the ball rolling, it becomes somewhat self-promoting,” Teuber said. “Schools ask us how they can become involved.”
move forward, so we certainly don’t want to turn away anybody,” Teuber said.
Private and charter schools, many of which offer few athletic programs, can also participate. Students try out like they do at the high school level, but there are no cuts. If a school has 30 kids wanting to participate, they form six teams, some of which are co-ed. “Middle school is where kids start to migrate to the sport they will play as they
Teuber said in the past, 90% of youth bowlers came from having a parent or grandparent in a league. With the decades-long decline of all leagues, it has been hard to maintain and grow youth bowlers. This program helps build youth – and brings in parents and grandparents to watch their kids. Plus, today’s youth are more apt to
28 IBI August 2022
“Most proprietors today have minimal youth leagues, and they don’t know what to do about it. This is a slam dunk for any community that has any high school bowling program. And it’s a way for us to start to get in front of youth bowlers in a format in which they are interested.”
It’s more than Insurance...
Because you're family. Cameron Linder CEO, Western Bowling Proprietors Insurance (WBPI) Rednil Insurance Brokers, Inc. cameron.linder@rednilbrokers.com
800.200.9998
www.wbpiprogram.com
Feature
Flint Middle School bowlers
complete a 10-week program than the old traditional 32week youth leagues. He said the Flint group always has certified the middle school participants with the United States Bowling Congress. But rather than using the old USBC youth shirts, students insisted on wearing school colors. “Part of their motivation for being part of middle school bowling was they wanted to represent the school. They wanted to compete against other schools,” Teuber said. “That’s what gets them off the couch rather than me telling my kids to get four of his buddies and bowl against other like-minded kids.” Matches run from mid-March through Memorial Day on Saturdays early in the season, and twice weekly in May after fall adult leagues have ended. For $75 — the same fee since starting the program — participants receive weekly practice sessions, t-shirts, coaching, and 10 matches. Centers get paid $6 per bowler per session and charge a small admission for spectators. Additional funds are raised through raffles allowing participating proprietors to often receive money back for their investment and offer some scholarships.
give entry-level bowlers a handicap,” Teuber said. “We put a lot of thought into that, and it is a big reason why that program continues to grow because it works.”
Debbie Alexander, Teuber’s office manager, serves as middle school commissioner. “For the last five years, I’ve told Debbie we’re going to get to 100 teams, and you will be pulling your hair out,” he said. “If it weren’t for COVID, we would have made 90 teams in 2020. We will hit 100 teams next year and get to the point where we run out of lanes. We’ll figure it out.”
In addition to the middle school program, Teuber also promotes the sport to younger youth by buying and sending buses to elementary schools to pick up students and bring them to his centers. “We’re getting about 450 kids who have never bowled in a traditional youth league,” Teuber said. “It’s great exposure for us. And it’s working backward from traditional youth leagues.”
One difference between the middle school and high school programs is the middle school program uses handicaps while high school is scratch. “We felt it was important to
Teuber said any proprietors interested in starting a middle school program in their area could contact him to learn more. He can be reached at bowlmoreoften@gmail.com.
30 IBI August 2022
Debbie Alexander and Courtney Cooney are a dynamic duo
•
Booze and Bites
Indulgent Desserts Dainty Delights
A SLICE
of
HEAVEN
By Mike Fernandez
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE?
B
eing handed a new dessert is akin to popping in a new video game. You’ll sometimes need a second to take it all in; but then you’ll have mountains to cross, side quests dripping down the edge of the map, and different players will have different strategies for attack! It’s no surprise that dessert is one of America’s favorite meals. Everyone at some point has had one of grandma’s homemade pies, Crème brûlée, peach cobbler or just good ol’ fashioned soft serve! In fact, when surveyed by Datassential last year, 93% of consumers had eaten dessert in the past week, and 55% had enjoyed dessert within the past day. Desserts have always been viewed as indulgent. Marketing of desserts has shifted in the last decade, aiming more at the feelings of joy and comfort that the confections bring, and it’s no marketing gimmick! It’s been proven that foods with high sugar get the body to produce more serotonin, the happiness hormone. This explains why it can be so hard to walk away from the dessert menu, even when the last button on your pants is being tested to its manufactured limits.
32 IBI August 2022
STICKING TO THE BASICS When investigating what plates to add to your dessert menu, it can be enticing to get caught up in specially crafted cakes, fresh pies, and other treats that require lots of time and effort. However, guests often just want a small reward to finish off some light bowling with friends. Offering Baked Alaska might be a dream of yours, but customers are usually just looking for a colorful valley of soft serve, or an enormously buttery chocolate chip cookie. This is a plus for you as well, as not all dessert is that profitable when you work out the math. Ingredients for baked foods like Crème brûlée can add up quickly, take up usable kitchen space, require lots of clean up, and definitely bite into your available labor.
Booze and Bites
STATE DESSERTS
When offering the most revered desserts like soft serve, brownies, cookies, and pre-made cakes, you’re able to reroute around hassles while still providing a super-sweet profit margin! The trick to impress customers and keep your Cost of Goods reasonable is going to be a basic dessert with incredible options for toppings.
IDAHO: ICE CREAM POTATO it’s not what you think, I promise
PRESENTING SWEET SURPRISES Completely clean? Or an absolute mess? Both are great ways to present your dessert offerings; your tack comes down to your target audience.
FLORIDA: KEY LIME PIE the undisputed flavor of Florida MISSOURI: ICE CREAM CONE the birthplace of true childhood joy OHIO: BUCKEYE CANDY great treats are great treats, regardless of team associations
Delighting the Adults: Your 18 and older guests may be looking for something a bit different. Offering a clean and contemporary look to make their social media pictures pop is easier than you think! Pre-cut cake slices or fudge brownies on a white plate with a drizzle of caramel on the side is a great way for older crowds to keep their clothes clean. Molten lava cakes are easy and impressive, too, with a scoop of ice cream on top and chocolate fudge oozing from the middle — that will make anyone’s mouth water!
TENNESSEE: MOON PIES originally created for coal miners
THE TOP TEN TOPPINGS
1
HOT FUDGE
2
SPRINKLES
3
CARAMEL
4
When Aiming at Kids: Offering a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a plastic cup might not bring you the big bucks, and it won’t add to the memorable experiences that a child has at your center. Toppings are affordable and sugar confections have extremely long shelf lives. You’ll see more of a profit and have your little guest in amazement with a proper ice cream cone or brownie dipped in hardened chocolate, layered with whipped cream, and topped with crushed fruit loops.
OREOS
BOOZE SHAKE IT UP Have you had one? Unlikely. Do you need one? Probably. Alcoholic milkshakes are surely a sight to behold. When I was in college, there was an awesome place nearby with a menu that consisted of the best onion rings I’ve ever had (their only food option), and about 25 unique flavors of alcoholic milkshakes. I loved going there, but since they moved states, I haven’t seen another alcoholic milkshake. YOU can be the change this country needs! All you need is a blender, a base, and a bottle — and it doesn’t hurt that these milkshakes weren’t sold cheap!
The distinction between audiences is by no means law. If there’s a time to cheat on a diet, it’s at your entertainment center. Adults have no issue going all in on a beautiful banana split to satisfy those cravings.
5
PEANUT BUTTER CUPS
6
COOKIE DOUGH
7
WHIPPED CREAM
8
HARD CHOCOLATE COATING
9
MELTED MARSHMALLOWS
10
CEREAL
Below are five favorites that will keep the bar bustling. Don’t forget the whipped cream! 1. Boozy Chocolate Frozen Mudslide: Vodka, coffee liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, chocolate syrup 2. Strawberry Shortcake Drink: frozen strawberries, amaretto, vanilla ice cream, vanilla flavored vodka. 3. Boozy S’mores Shake: chocolate ice cream, graham cracker crumbs, chocolate sauce, s’mores vodka, heavy cream, marshmallow fluff 4. White Chocolate and Strawberry Baileys Milkshake: White chocolate liqueur, Irish cream liqueur, strawberry vodka, vanilla ice cream, frozen strawberries Mike Fernandez is a freelance contributor on all things regarding food, booze, and fun. Growing up in his family’s restaurant business fueled his passion for good eats and tasty treats. By day Mike works in business development for IBI, by night he scours south Florida for the latest trends in food, drinks, and recreation.
IBI August 2022 33
July 7 - 17, 2022
Official Bowling Equipment Provider
The World’s First IBF Sanctioned Tournament on String Machines
to all bowlers! The competition at the World level over the 4-day event was outstanding. You represented the sport well and should be proud!
Shorts
BOWLING ACROSS THE POND Expansions, Openings, and New Beginnings
Bowling is good business in the U.S., and its UK neighbor across the Atlantic is also growing its bowling empire; there’s lots of activity that builds business on both sides of the Pond.
WOULDN’T THAT BE FUN! Even adults need a summer camp to regenerate. That’s what PINS in Liverpool, UK, thought. The general manager, Jamie Finn, said the adults-only “Summercamp,” which is set to last four months, will ignite nostalgic good times. The three-story venue will transform its various areas with a retro make-over including wooden camp tables and chairs and camp-themed cocktails and bites—mango and chili margaritas, apple pie moonshine, barbequed pizzas, and chicken tenders. There will be a variety of games including 12 lanes of classic ten-pin bowling, English and American pool, shuffleboard, table tennis, and beer pong. It’s such a clever way to start off the summer months and bring customers in to have fun.
UK’S HOLLYWOOD BOWL GROUP IS GOING TO CANADA UK bowling operator Hollywood Bowl Group has acquired the Canadian-based Teaquinn Holdings that comprises the ten-pin bowling centers operator Splitsville. The acquired company also operates Striker Bowling Solutions, a business-to-business supplier and installer of bowling equipment.
BRISTOL IS BOWLING Bristol has welcomed its third major bowling center, Roxy Leisure. The site includes eight bowling lanes, as well as batting cages, shuffle board, karaoke booths, two duck pin bowling lanes, pool tables, arcade games, and ice-free curling. Roxy Leisure is the Roxy brand’s 11th venue and is hoping to expand to other cities with six new openings planned in 2022.
36 IBI August 2022
LET THERE BE LIGHT The Light, a 55,000-square-foot entertainment space, in Banbury, UK, is open. The entertainment space covers three floors overlooking the city’s canal. There is a seven-screen cinema ranging in size from 54 seats to 148, with a variety of seating options including armchairs, sofas, lounger beds, and electric recliners. Of course, there are ten lanes of bowling, a retro arcade, a climbing area, interactive darts, a karaoke room, and American pool tables.
Shorts
ODDS & ENDS YOUTH BOWLING: INTERESTING NUMBERS
Big River Bowling in Davenport, IA, hosted Storm Youth Championships for kids ages seven to 18. Leanne Hulsenberg, Storm Bowling’s tournament and events manager, said that the event had 28 states represented with a total of 144 bowlers. There is great enthusiasm for these events and slots sold out quickly. Eric Littig, the head bowling coach at St. Ambrose University, shared, “Every one of these sells out in under a minute online, if you’re not there pushing the button, you don’t get in.” “When I started coaching nine years ago,” added Craig Nord, a bowling coach at Davenport Central High School, “there were around 65 to 70 high school teams. Now there are 125 to 130.” Hulsenberg said that 42 bowlers will receive a grand total of $15,000 in scholarships at the end of the current tournament in Davenport.
EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS, & NEW BEGINNINGS ICONIC VERNON LANES IS BACK Vernon Lanes, in the heart of Butchertown in Louisville, KY, has been on an historic property established in 1876. The 8-lane center closed in 2015, but is now back in business. Bruce Jarrett, supervisor, touts the upstairs seating for the new full-service scratch kitchen along with a bar and a stage for live shows. An added enticement in the bar is a gastropub. It’s good to see the old come back all new again!
LIVE FROM RAB’S IS A BRONZE WINNER To keep its customers and bowlers invested during the COVID shutdown, Frank Wilkinson, proprietor of Rab’s Country Lanes on Staten Island, NY, and Nazareth Laursen, the center manager, created the web series “Live from Rab’s.” Two years later the show has over a million views with 150+ episodes. The series continues today through the airing of special events and the original format talk show. The web series airs live on Facebook and YouTube and may also be found on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The co-creators talk bowling, community, sports, entertainment, and much more with special guests from around the globe. This year, the show was named a bronze winner in the 43rd annual Telly Awards’ category of Best Series, Web Series: non-Scripted. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies, including Adobe, Netflix, Dow Jones, Duplass Brothers Productions, Complex Networks, Jennifer Garner, A&E Networks, Hearts Media and more. Congratulations to Frank Wilkinson, Nazareth Laursen, and Rab’s Country Lanes!!
NEW MEXICO OPEN’S PRIZE FUND WILL EXCEED $60,000
New Mexico Open was instigated by Steve Mackie of Tenpins and More in Rio Rancho 18 years ago. The prize then was about $14,000. Today, with continued popularity, there are 192 entries and a purse of approximately $60,000. A new car awaits the first contestant to bowl a 300 game. The championship will be broadcast August 19-21, along with more than 30 hours of coverage over the three days on the internet platform of Emil Will’s BowlStreamTV.com. 38 IBI August 2022
THE EVOLUTION OF A RESTAURANT GUY Robert St. John has been in the restaurant business for over 40 years. Over the decades he has had seven sites in Hattiesburg, MS. Restaurants are his calling. However, his Tabella Italian restaurant has grown legs, or lanes, shall we say; ten lanes to be exact. Owner St. John says that the secret is that it’s not a bowling alley with a restaurant attached, it’s a restaurant that happens to have a bowling alley. When asked what’s it like, he responds, “That is truly one thing I never thought I would do. But, I’m so glad I did. I love the bowling concept so much I’d like to do others in the future. It is fun, people have a blast doing it, and it’s a community activity in which they can drink and eat and compete in a sport.”
PREFERRED VENDOR LIST Apparel EXPERT HOSIERY Customer Service
www.funtimefootwear.com
919.799.7707
support@experthosiery.com
Expert Hosiery is a premiere supplier of high-quality socks to Bowling Centers & FECs. We pride ourselves in lifetime relationships. Socks variety includes White Bowling Socks, Glow Socks, Theme Socks & Custom Logo Socks. Our Customers are our best Testimonial! For orders, call, email or order online 24/7.
Architecture Design DYNAMIC DESIGNS
www.dynamicdesignsinc.net
Howard Ellman
Info@dynamicdesignsinc.net
248.644.7275
Interior & Exterior Design – New Concept Development – Planning & Consulting – Architecture – Theme Design – Re-imagining of Existing Facilities
Arcade Distributor BETSON ENTERPRISES Sales Department
www.betson.com/bowling
800.524.2343
Sales@betson.com
Betson offers a full assortment of arcade and vending equipment and has the largest inventory selection of new & used games and parts.
Automatic Scoring STELTRONIC SCORING
www.steltronicscoring.com
Sales Department
Info@steltronicscoring.com
800.942.5939
The world’s leading independent automatic scoring manufacturer since 1980.
NEW CENTER CONSULTING Glenn Hartshorn
www.newcenterconsulting.com
248.375.2751
ghartsho@yahoo.com
Touch Score – A truly revolutionary scoring upgrade for legacy systems.
Capital Equipment/Supplies BRUNSWICK BOWLING PRODUCTS
www.brunswickbowling.com
Michael Postema
Info@brunswickbowling.com
231.343.2043
The leader in the bowling industry for over 130 years, Brunswick Bowling provides products, services, and industry expertise for new and existing bowling centers.
KEGEL
www.kegel.net
Sales Department
info@kegel.net
863.734.0200
Lane maintenance equipment/supplies, pinsetter parts, and coaching tools.
IBI August 2022 39
PREFERRED VENDOR LIST Capital Equipment/Supplies (continued) NEO TAC
www.neotac.com
Frank Bernabei
300@neotac.com
585.798.6400
Lane Conditioners and Lane Cleaners. Bowling Ball Cleaners And Polishes.
QUBICAAMF
www.qubicaamf.com
Sales Department
info@qubicaamf.com
804.569.1000
QubicaAMF is the world’s largest manufacturer of bowling and mini bowling products. With our innovative products, we will help our customers fully unleash that potential to extend the bowling population, to reach the younger generations, to increase their spending, frequency of visits—and your revenue.
SWITCH BOWLING John Fatigati
201.694.7985
www.switchbowling.com john@switchbowlingusa.com
Offering a full line of equipment, furniture and scoring for everything from modernization to new center builds since 2006, Switch Bowling features Italian designed style built into products with uncompromising quality and value.
Cashless Technology INTERCARD Sales Department
800.732.3770
www.intercardinc.com Sales@intercardinc.com
Intercard introduced cashless technology to the amusement industry and has been leading the way for 30+ years. Cashless systems from Intercard increase customer spending and satisfaction and boost revenues by up to 30% at entertainment centers worldwide.
SEMNOX SOLUTIONS Sales Department
610.400.8901
www.semnox.com Sales@semnox.com
Semnox’s online cashless payment systems – a one stop solution for your entire bowling center operations.
Food & Beverage ALCOHOL CONTROLS Sales Department
630.486.1880
www.alcoholcontrols.com profit@alcoholcontrols.com
We carry numerous liquor pour control systems, liquor portion control pourers, and beer controls that allow you to accurately measure how much alcohol or beer is being served during a day and cross-reference it with the number of sales made. We have pour tracking systems, liquor pour spouts, and even shot pouring training tools, as well.
VIRTUAL DINING CONCEPTS Kelly Grogan
508.351.2556
www.virtualdiningconcepts.com kgrogan@virtualdiningconcepts.com
Our goal is to help the restaurant community generate additional revenue and sources of income through virtual brands. We give you the expertise and know-how of seasoned restaurateurs, knowledge from national chain experience and the vision to put it all together in one complete, easy to implement solution. 40 IBI August 2022
Insurance WESTERN BOWLING PROPRIETORS INSURANCE Cameron Linder
www.wbpiprogram.com
800.200.9998
contact@wbpiprogram.com
WBPI has dedicated itself to insuring bowling centers for more than 30 years and is exclusively endorsed by 8 state bowling proprietors insurance associations. Our staff of insurance experts and professional bowlers provide staff training, insurance education, advocacy, and business advice. No one fights harder for you! Contact us today for a competitive insurance quote!
Lighting/Sound DFX SOUND VISION Mike Bovino
www.dfxsoundvision.com 800.555.5280
info@dfxsoundvision.com
Your FEC specialists creating extraordinary experiences by providing dynamic audio, video, lighting and automation services and integration that elevate communication and give your entertainment center that WOW factor.
Marketing BBBI/KIDS BOWL FREE Andy Vasko
877.841.4590
www.kidsbowlfree.com Andy.Vasko@kidsbowlfree.com
At BBBI our goal is to create new customers and profits for bowling centers through our time tested Kids Bowl Free Summer Bowing Program and our new League Development System featuring Fun Bowling Leagues for all ages.
BOWLING LEADS Zach Boulanger
844.468.4144
www.bowlingleads.com Zach@bowlingleads.com
We help bowling centers find new leads and turn them into raving repeat customers with our done for you automated marketing system.
EBOWL.BIZ & BOWLRX.COM Carey Tosello
www.eBowl.biz 541.549.0999
Carey@eBowl.biz
Digital marketing for bowling: BowlRx websites, Facebook for bowling, and more.
THE KAPLOE GROUP Fred Kaplowitz
516.359.4874
www.kaploegroup.com fredkaplowitz@gmail.com
The ultimate marketing and management company for your leisure, entertainment, or recreation business. Professional consulting and coaching available.
IBI August 2022 41
PREFERRED VENDOR LIST
Online Reservations ALLEYTRAK Chris Behling
815.519.9843
www.alleytrak.com Chris@alleytrak.com
AlleyTrak is the complete lane reservation and management system designed specifically for bowling alleys. Manage your recurring events, leagues, parties, packages, along with many other features AlleyTrak has to offer. Save time by allowing guests to make reservations online 24/7.
REX RESERVATIONS
www.reservewithrex.com
Kevan Sadigh
Kev@reservewithrex.com
323.805.8310
Seamlessly manage lane reservations for your bowling venue. Set different prices for peak and off-peak times. Allocate your desired number of lanes to be reserved online, while also keeping some for walk-ins.
Redemption Supplies BMI MERCHANDISE Sales Department
www.bmimerchandise.com 800.272.6375
Sales@bmimerchandise.com
BMI’s extensive product line features the trending themes, licenses and brands driving amusement play. We bring our customers a constantly changing mix of the finest electronics, novelties and toys – priced right.
REDEMPTION PLUS Mike Tipton
888.564.7587
www.redemptionplus.com Smile@redemptionplus.com
Products that perform. Services that simplify.
Training TRAINERTAINMENT Beth Standlee
817.886.4840
www.Trainertainment.net Beth@trainertainment.net
Fun Training – Serious Results.
Virtual Reality VRCAVE Alex Rossol
780.577.9655
www.vrcave.ca/ibi sales@vrcave.ca
vrCAVE produces premium VR escape room products suited for any bowling alley or FEC looking to add VR as an option to their establishment. They work with companies of all sizes, help with the headset installation, and provide the software and technical support. 42 IBI August 2022
Classifieds
IBI August 2022 43
Classifieds EQUIPMENT FOR SALE NEW & USED Pro Shop Equipment. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800)255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
EDUCATION & TRAINING PRO SHOP TRAINING. Classes always forming. Jayhawk Bowling Supply (800)255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com.
HELP WANTED
SERVICES AVAILABLE
GREAT OPPORTUNITY - 24 lane center, Drill Bit Sharpening and Measure Ball Repair. AMF 82-70’s in Western, PA. Strong leagues, Jayhawk Bowling Supply. billiards, vending. No bar or restaurant. Qualified (800)255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com candidate must have diversified skills – front desk, mechanically inclined, lane maintenance, customer HEAD MECHANIC WANTED service. Pay commensurate with experience. Send resume to mick31@consolidated.net. Head Mechanic needed for busy center in New Jersey. Great salary and benefits package. Brunswick BOWLING CENTER FOR SALE A-2 pinspotters. Email resume to sgroce@nationwidebowling.com Owner retiring. 47,000 sq ft high volume family entertainment center. Leased building located in West Houston Texas (Katy), opened in 2005. MECHANIC RETIRING Revenue up significantly above 2019 and 2021 HIGH Level mechanic retiring – willing to train next hire numbers. 36 synthetic lanes, 6 located in a for our 26 lane center with restaurant. Only the third private area, Qubica scoring, Laser tag, 55 mechanic since 1959 for our very stable, family Arcade games, Billiard tables, full sports bar business. Great opportunity in beautiful northwest restaurant, and party rooms. Strong league base NJ/PA border town. Salary and benefits commensurate during the week, followed by busy late night with experience. Email resume to crowd. Full of parties and open play all weekend. rob.plenge@comcast.net or call Rob 908-763-1192. Email Barry300@aol.com for more information.
44 IBI August 2022
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AMF and some BRUNSWICK PC board repair/exchange. 6 month warranty, fast turnaround. Call or write: WB8YJF Service 5586 Babbitt Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054 Toll Free: 888-902-BOWL (2695) Ph./Fax: (614) 855-3022 (Jon) E-mail: wb8yjf@sbcglobal.net Visit us on the WEB! http://home.earthlink.net/~wb8yjf/
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Natalie@bowlingindustry.com IBI August 2022 45
Remember When
1966 R Bowling’s Clean Sweep
46 IBI August 2022
osie and Pat and friends are team players, who, it seems, are not afraid to get down and dirty. While bowling is far from rough and tumble, it appears that these bowlers struck a chord with Clorox marketers. You can be sure these ladies will be white and sparkly for next week’s league competition. This ad made the pages of Better Homes and Gardens in 1966, a year still big in league play. The ABC membership totaled 4,375,000 with 127,000 leagues, while WIBC touted 123,129 leagues and 2,896,693 members. No wonder Clorox spotlighted Rosie’s girls.
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Kegel Walking Lane Machines move from lane to lane and perform lane maintenance tasks by themselves. You and your team can do other tasks while your Lane Machine is doing the lanes. SCAN & USE OUR LABOR CALCULATOR TO SEE HOW MUCH YOU CAN SAVE WITH A WALKING MACHINE. PHONE: 863-734-0200 FAX: 863-734-0204 | 1951 LONGLEAF BLVD. LAKE WALES, FL 33859 | WWW.KEGEL.NET
REAL PEOPLE
REAL STORIES
REAL RESULTS
NEVER SAY NO! SAY ‘YES’ TO MORE BUSINESS BY LETTING CUSTOMERS SEE EVERY OFFER AVAILABLE. More bowling center options mean more bookings and more return customers. That’s why Conqueror Web displays all the choices for people and their group. But not just on the requested date and time. The system helps drive traffic to a wider array of options available in other time slots, too. You’ll prevent customers from getting frustrated, giving up and going somewhere else—and keep them coming back for more.
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