2022 July Issue by Bowling Industry Magazine

July 2022 // Vol. 30

THE SPIRIT OF BOWLING! Pulling Together to Support U.S. Military and Veterans

HOW ONE NC PROPRIETOR AND HIS SPECIAL BVL PROGRAM PROVIDES A BOWLERS RAISE MONEY FOR BVL TASTE OF HOME FOR SOLDIERS & VETERANS

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Contents 6

July 2022 | Vol 30.7

Publisher’s Column UNITED WE STAND

The bowling industry making a world of difference for our military heroes BY STEPHANIE DAVIS

Feature Story

A FUNDRAISING CHALLENGE

How one North Carolina center raises money for BVL BY ROBERT SAX

Booze & Bites

PROMOTING HEALTHY PLATES & COCKTAILS Simple strategies to promote higher-margin, healthier options BY MIKE FERNANDEZ

Digital Advertising

USING DIGITAL ADVERTISING

Expand beyond Facebook and Instagram ads to increase your audience BY CAREY TOSELLO

Finance

HOW ACCURATE IS YOUR P & L?

Is your statement telling your center’s true story? BY TRAVIS HARPER

Marketing

MONTHLY MARKETING

Are S.O.B.s working for your business? BY BRUCE DAVIS

Safety

ONE STEP AHEAD

How to avoid and defend your center against violence BY CAMERON LINDER

Feature Story

NEW ENERGY FOR A POPULAR BVL PROGRAM Fresh initiative can help VA hospitals and retirement centers BY ROBERT SAX

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Stephanie Davis

stephanie@bowlingindustry.com

MARKETING MANAGER & SALES 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

Natalie Davis

natalie@bowlingindustry.com

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Mike Fernandez

mike@bowlingindustry.com

EDITORIAL

Jackie Fisher

fisher@bowlingindustry.com MEMBER AND/OR SUPPORTER OF:

Patty Heath

patty@bowlingindustry.com

OFFICE MANAGER Roxanne Damask

roxanne@bowlingindustry.com 4 IBI July 2022

CONTRIBUTORS Don Agent Bruce Davis Stephanie Davis Mike Fernandez Travis Harper Patty Heath Cameron Linder Robert Sax Carey Tosello

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Editorial

UNITED WE STAND Bowlers, operators, and volunteers make a world of difference for our military heroes

his month the IBI team dedicates the entire issue to Bowling to Veterans Link (BVL). Not just because it’s their 80th anniversary, but because of the good work they do and the folks who benefit. When I say folks, I mean the men and women who serve or have served our country as military personnel. Most of us know and love a veteran and have seen the sacrifices they’ve made in keeping our country the Land of the Free. Some of these soldiers have returned to us in a very different capacity than when they joined the armed forces. Some wounds are clearly seen. Others are hidden behind a face that seems the same but is not. BVL provides therapeutic and recreational services and programs to help those who are struggling. Our two feature stories this month highlight how one North Carolina center raises funds for BVL, and the other showcases a BVL program that was popular with overseas soldiers and is now being reenergized to help patients at VA hospitals. Our hope is that these stories will inspire other operators around the U.S.A. to take the IBI challenge to see who can raise funds for BVL through creative and unique efforts. Next July, we’ll feature centers that have raked in cash with their fundraising efforts. More details to come soon. I had a fun and informative conversation with Mike Tipton of Redemption Plus for the July “Inside Line” column this month. We can all agree that someone confident and well trained performs better, whether it is the boss or a team member. Retail merchandising can be an overwhelming experience if you’re not familiar with what’s involved. Mike and his team recognize that disconnect and host quarterly merchandising boot camps. Attendees leave with loads of information and feel empowered to take their knowledge back home to their team. That sounds like a big win to me! On a personal note – for those of you Talking Heads fans, if you’re ever in the Kansas City area, check with Mike to see where his tribute band might be playing.

6 IBI July 2022

IBI welcomes a new contributor, Travis Harper of Hansell Group, who will be sharing valuable information with us every other month. Finance can be a dicey and sometimes confusing topic, but Travis does a dynamite job of addressing the profit and loss statement and if it’s telling your center’s true story. I highly recommend reading his story for insight and sage advice. Be sure to head over to www.bowlingindustry.com for IBI’s exclusive online-only content. For those who have laser tag or are considering adding it as a new attraction, you’ll want to read the story, 7 Ways to Attract More Laser Tag Players. It’s a straightforward article on how to attract more players and increase repeat play. Lastly, we’ve all been following the atrocities of the war in Ukraine and are heartbroken over the devastated lives of so many. One morning as I sipped my coffee and thumbed through USA Today (yes, I still read an actual newspaper), there was a large picture of Ukrainian children enjoying an outing at a bowling center in Berlin. These children, who left behind cherished belongings and family, trekked for more than 50 hours to arrive safely in Germany. Counselors and volunteers work tirelessly to provide small moments of respite and joy for these young victims of war. Bowling was center stage offering recreation, laughter, and happiness. I’ve said it many times before and will continue to say it: being in the bowling business provides an opportunity to share fun and help others create happy memories. Even if for just a short time, these young faces were, in fact, smiling.

•

– Stephanie Davis, Publisher & Editor stephanie@bowlingindustry.com

Online Only

www.bowlingindustry.com READ THESE TOP STORIES EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE 11 Food Trends to Watch in 2022 BY SIMPLOT FOODS

7 Ways to Attract More Laser Tag Players

2022 is already a year full of new trends and change. But what does that mean for the food industry? Read the article “11 Food Trends to Watch in 2022.”

BY LASERFORCE

Inexpensive Ways to Keep Your FEC Fresh

Cut Costs and Save Energy in Your Commercial Kitchen

Keeping your family entertainment center fresh will result in customers coming back to your facility for more fun. Creative Works provides some easy, inexpensive strategies to do just that.

Operators are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs. Read a few tips that Quik n’ Cripsy recommends for reducing costs, while saving energy in your kitchen.

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Attracting more laser tag players is an important part of making your family entertainment center profitable. Read “7 Ways to Attract More Laser Tag Players,” and increase your center’s repeat play.

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Feature

The

GAUNTLET Has Been THROWN By Robert Sax

One North Carolina Center Challenges Others To Raise Funds For BVL

roprietor and bowling coach Dan Simril doesn’t think of himself as a community organizer. He says, “My main job is cheerleader,” when he describes the many successful fundraisers he has held for Bowlers to Veterans Link at his 24-lane Foxfire Lanes in Kannapolis, NC. Nevertheless, Simril is on a mission to support the USBC-affiliated veterans’ charity and to energize others to do the same. Simril demonstrated his flair for fundraising at the Bowling Proprietors Association of the Carolinas and Georgia (BPACGA) conference in February 2022. Challenged to come up with an event to fit a tight time slot, Simril ran a one-hour tournament that raised $1,700 for BVL plus a matching contribution he arranged from BPCGA, for a grand total of $3,400. “I was given a one-hour time frame and had eight lanes to work with,” says Simril. “So, I ran a quick tournament with fun rules for no-tap and low-ball. It sort of humbles the high average bowlers.” To level the playing field, contestants were limited to plastic bowling balls, like the Plastic Classic tournament he runs at Foxfire. “No highpowered equipment. We wanted to make sure that the hotshots didn’t run away with it,” he says. One innovative touch was the “complaint fee,” a fine levied on spectators who heckled bowlers during play. BPAA’s membership and education director Bart Burger, a North Carolina native, was the biggest contributor. “Bart literally stood behind my lane and complained about everything he could,” says Simril, “until he racked up $500 in complaint fees.” Simril and his family have run Foxfire Lanes since 1986 and over the years they have had many successful fundraisers for BVL. “We took up the banner because it’s a great

10 IBI July 2022

Proprietor Dan Simril offering a congratulations to Asa Bradly, champion of the Inaugural BVL Plastic Classic

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Feature charity. They improve veteran’s lives,” he says, praising BVL’s health, recreational, and other support services. To make it a true community effort, Simril enlists some of his regular customers to promote the campaign. “I find some good talkers and I explain to them what BVL does and how the raffle-style promotion works. Those people go out there, talk to all the league bowlers and say [to them that] next week we’d like you to bring something for the raffle table.” And boy do they! Simril says his league bowlers bring in items ranging from fancy cakes to new bicycles to seasonlong scholarships for youth bowlers. “Some of the bowlers get really creative and bring in items that are higher value than they need to be on a raffle table; they’ll bring in items that are worth a few hundred dollars,” says Simril. The Foxfire community has raised increasing amounts of money over the last six years. “The first year we raised $3,000. The second year we raised $4,000; the next year, $5,000; the year after that $6,000.” Even in COVID-afflicted 2020, they managed to raise $3,000. This year they put on a real push and raised $7,240 — their highest total yet! A key to Simril’s success was finding someone passionate about helping the cause. One of Simril’s good talkers is Star Kelly, a bowler whose first husband served two tours of duty in Vietnam. “When Dan told me it was about the veterans and helping enrich their lives, I said yes,” she says. During the three weeks of the annual campaign, Kelly goes lane to lane talking to every bowler and asks them to buy raffle tickets and donate prizes. She also coordinates the donations, runs the table raffles, sells tickets, and enlists others to help her with what’s become a bigger operation each year. “I just have a passion for it because I believe in it so much. I’m there every night at every league to recruit,” says Kelly. Simril is especially proud of his center’s contributions because Kannapolis does not have a local VA facility or military base. “My center is not in a military town, but my bowlers understand the value of veterans and they are able to get on board with the BVL charity,” he says. “If my bowling center can have this kind of success with the charity, I don’t see why others can’t do just as well.” Everyone at Foxfire Lanes encourages other centers to join the fun and see who can follow suit to raise money using their raffle based fundraising program. In fact, they welcome the competition to see who can outraise their efforts. It’s all for a worthy cause. Proprietors across the U.S.A.; the gauntlet has been laid down. Time to take the BVL fundraising challenge. For anyone interested in more information about this program, reach out to Dan at foxfdan@aol.com for more information.

Note from IBI: Our hope is that this story will inspire other operators around the U.S.A. to take the IBI challenge and see who can raise funds for BVL through creative and unique efforts. Next July, we’ll feature centers that have raked in cash with their fundraising efforts. More details to come soon.

•

12 IBI July 2022

Having fun drawing for BVL

Foxfire team at the BVL table raffle

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Booze and Bites

Lighten By Mike Fernandez

Menu Strategies to Promote Healthy Foods and Skinny Drinks

n a market where the public and media battle rising obesity rates, health-conscious trends are becoming more widely accepted. A very profitable and often overlooked solution includes centers creating relatively healthier, high-margin plates that help customers stick to their goals and leave them with a great sense of personal satisfaction to take with them on the way out. Adding functional foods and meat alternatives to your kitchen is the best first step you can take; the next step is to engineer your menu to draw attention to your new plates and make them profitable. While this article covers incorporating healthy foods into your food offerings, it applies to all aspects of marketing your physical menu. If there’s a time for people to cheat on their diets, it’s going to be while having fun at your center! Most of these menu items are already very profitable. We all know healthy food comes at a premium. Simply throwing a meal in the air fryer rather than a grease fryer adds value. Complex salads don’t usually come cheap! Meatless alternatives like Beyond Meat can already be sold for an upcharge over a beef burger, and the same goes for hot dogs and chicken nuggets. The wraps you already sell can be sold in a lettuce wrap — it doesn’t cost you more but improves the healthconscious customer’s experience. John S. Dyson, Professor of Marketing at Cornell’s School of Applied Economics and Management, wrote in his report, “Slim by Design: Menu Strategies for Promoting High Margin, Healthy Foods,” about three significant steps to guide the success of new items on your menu.

14 IBI July 2022

1. Shift attention toward high-margin plates: Often, consumers already have an idea of their favorite foods that they know might appear on your menu and search for those first. Pizza lovers might not read the rest of the menu when they know they probably want pizza. It’s important to draw attention to high margin plates using contrasting fonts, pictures, icons (like a pepper indicating spicy), borders, or illustrations. Predictably, consumers also read menus as they would read a magazine, so menu items in the first section or beginning of each section are more likely to catch their eye. This placement alone has been found to increase sales by 25%. 2. Enhance expectations of taste using rich vocabulary: Let’s face it, we don’t always want the healthy option on the menu, which can sometimes have a negative connotation of awful taste. Using phrases like “light and fresh,” “robust,” or “succulent” is a great way to avoid the association with a bad taste and has proven to increase sales over bland phrases like “seafood salad” by 28%. Another popular trick-of-thehealth-trade is to offer the slim version of an existing plate, which might be half of the regular meal portion at 75% of the original price.

Booze and Bites

3. Increase perception of value: While price can be a significant factor in fast food, it’s less critical when customers sit down for a meal and have time to indulge. Some studies recommend avoiding listing prices in a straight-down menu, as it may leave people scanning on just price alone. It’s also advised to use fewer numerals, with studies finding that people spend more when prices are listed as total dollar costs: .99 traditionally indicates a better value; .00 indicates better quality. Most of these changes are easy to make and affordable to experiment with since they require simple modifications to the menu. Remember to talk to your customers and see what works best in your area!

BOOZE Surprise, surprise. The same marketing strategies that we use in selling healthy food will also work with lowcalorie beverages! Skinny cocktails give all the flavor, all the class, all the fun, and all the profit without all the calories. These skinny mixtures will make your guests feel better about

imbibing while delivering a tasty punch. Add in the right garnishes, and you’ll provide a picture-perfect social media opportunity. And aren’t Insta-worthy pics what everyone is striving for these days? Here are two skinny drink recipes that will keep your guests coming back for more.

CLASSIC SKINNY MARTINI

Ingredients

• 1 shot of vodka • Handful of ice • Club soda • Lime

SKINNY MARGARITA

100 calories per drink

Preparation

1. Add one shot of vodka, ice, club soda, and lime to a martini shaker. 2. Shake to mix. 3. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a slice of lime.

115 calories per drink

Ingredients

Preparation

• 1 1/2 ounces silver tequila

2. Add the remaining ingredients to a shaker and blend or shake the heck out of it and pour!

• Kosher salt and lime wedge to rim the glass • 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice • 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice • 1 teaspoon of light agave nectar or more to taste • Ice

1. Lime and salt the rim of the glass

Garnish with another lime if you’re feeling fancy.

IBI July 2022 15

Digital Advertising

Expand Your Reach and TARGET

PRECISE AUDIENCES

By Carey Tosello

The Latest Digital Tools Can Accomplish Both

ost bowling proprietors are familiar with digital marketing, using vehicles like Facebook, Instagram, email campaigns, etc., to create awareness and drive traffic. While these have proven to be effective ways to increase your visibility, additional tools are available today that allow you to target the exact audience you want, regardless of whether they use social media. This is what is referred to as digital advertising. If you want to reach virtually everyone in your market, you need to expand beyond Facebook and Instagram ads, as you are missing out on one-third of the adult population.

Google Display Network reaches 90% of consumers Don’t get me wrong, both Facebook- and Instagramtargeted ads have been used by bowling centers for years with great success. Taking your online marketing to the next level can be done through the Google Ads platform and can reach 90% of the adult population – even those not using Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. This could be a huge market that is unaware of your existence or, at the very least, needs to be reminded to come in and visit. Similar to Facebook and Instagram ads, Google Ads can be targeted to very specific demographics. For example, suppose you are running a program for college students. In that case, you can target the ads only to appear where college students are online, regardless of which social media vehicle they are using. Promoting a summer kids’ program? Then targeting parents of school-age children with the details will boost your program’s success. For example, if you’re running the Kids Bowl Free program, we’ve seen as much as a 40% increase in sign-ups as a result. The Google Ads platform will deliver a much larger audience than other social media tools. And in this case, more is definitely better! Besides reaching new audiences for your center, you can use a pixel to track your website visitors. Then you can ‘follow’ that person around the internet with reminder ads about your facility. You have already seen this from large companies, where one visit to Ford, Marriott, Delta 16 IBI July 2022

Retargeted consumers are 70% more likely to buy Airlines, and the like results in ads popping up everywhere you go online. That is no accident! Imagine being able to remind people about your business after they visit your website – that is what we call a hot prospect. Surveys have shown that customers are 70% more likely to buy when retargeted, meaning that they need to be reminded multiple times before they buy from or visit a business. This is why Facebook and Instagram ads have been so successful for bowling. People need to see your business repeatedly, and these ‘follow-type’ ads are a great reminder to generate a return visit. Just think about the impact you can have if your target audience is 30% bigger than your social media audience! Google Ads allows you to set up your ad campaign to use pay-per-click (PPC), which means that you only pay for the ads clicked on. Typically, these ads will send the click-through to a specific page on your website, providing excellent tracking of results and improving the user experience if they get the exact content they clicked on. This also means your website needs to have current information and look sharp! If you are not sure about your website’s performance, get a review from a company that specializes in bowling websites. While the Facebook platform is relatively easy to use for paid ads, the Google system is much more complicated. This more sophisticated platform provides a significant advantage because Google Ads can reach anyone online, regardless of whether they use social media. To avoid the typical new user’s trial and error and get maximum results, you should consider using a company with expertise in setting up and monitoring Google Ads. This will save you time and will be a more innovative use of your budget.

•

Carey Tosello is the founder of eBowl.biz and BowlRx.com. He is a frequent visitor to Las Vegas, a serious foodie, and live entertainment fan. He can be reached at carey@ebowl.biz.

Inside Line

Meet Mike Tipton 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 Mike Tipton, Chief Operations Growth Officer at Redemption Plus.

IBI: Great to talk with you, Mike. How long have you been in the bowling industry, and what led you here?

CMY

Mike: I’ve been in this industry for five years now. I fell in love with the work right off the bat. It’s a very fun industry to work in. Before that, I worked in business development for a digital marketing company for ten years. IBI: How long have you been with Redemption Plus, and what is your current position there? Mike: I came to Redemption Plus as the vice president of sales and marketing in August 2017. I currently am the Chief Operations Growth Officer. Before working for [Redemption Plus], they were one of my clients! IBI: What makes Redemption Plus unique? Mike: First and foremost, the level of expertise and concern for our customers’ successes is above and beyond any other company I’ve worked with in any industry. Besides offering a wide variety of prizes, from generic imports to licensed brands, we also have services like custom room design, imprinting/logo products, merchandising strategies and planograms, auto-reorder technology, and onsite and online redemption training. We offer very comprehensive services to our clients. 18 IBI July 2022

Mike and family enjoying a sunny vacation

IBI: What new programs, initiatives, and options are you currently working on? Mike: Two main things include a comprehensive training boot camp and our in-house design studio. We see the need in the marketplace for redemption training for both owner-operators and their staff. No other providers are addressing this issue because it is its own beast. Post-pandemic, we structured our team to be able to offer onsite training to our service program customers. This onsite training is beyond the regular training we do when we install a new store for our customers.

Inside Line

We now host merchandising boot camps at our office. We held our first one in early May and had a great response from attendees. We break down the retail merchandising component because it can be overwhelming for people who don’t have experience in it. One of our goals is when attendees go back to their facility, they can train their folks at home. Having our clients feel empowered to put things in place is very rewarding. We’re hosting these boot camps quarterly now. We’re also launching onsite training for those who prefer to train in their center with their staff. Another interesting initiative is our in-house design studio. We started with redemption counters and stores a few years ago and have expanded to include arcades, e-sports, party rooms, offices, and play areas for non-entertainment facilities. Once we work with clients and explore ideas to add to their dream board, we can develop a plan that’s both functional and provides the WOW factor everyone is looking for. Providing a unique design that’s aligned with a center’s brand is key. It’s exciting to learn new techniques and then apply them to our customers’ stores.

IBI: What trends do you see in 2022? Mike: I see plush and vinyl balls being difficult to come by throughout the summer because of lockdowns in Shanghai this spring. Another trend is the influence of streaming content on the toy market. For example, toys and collectibles based on streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ will be driving the licensed product market. I also see a trend in the toy industry to source more eco-friendly retail options, which will eventually spill over into redemption. IBI: What do you like most about your job? Mike: I love helping people realize their own potential. Whether that’s my employees or our customers, it gives me a solid purpose. I enjoy being creative, strategic, and competitive in ways that help support the growth of companies and individuals.

Redemption Plus design

20 IBI July 2022

The Redemption Plus team

IBI: What is one habit, technique, or strategy that you employ at work to keep you organized and on-task? Mike: I use Asana and Basecamp to help me keep track of the many things on my plate. I spend time every Sunday checking through everything I have in the upcoming week and then delegating tasks, so I move quicker and more efficiently with my team. IBI: When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time? Mike: I love spending time with my family and playing and listening to music. I also spend a good amount of time learning to play new (to me) instruments or going to concerts. IBI: What would our readers be surprised to learn about you? Mike: I lead a Talking Heads tribute band in Kansas City with a great following. We’re in our 10th year and will keep going until people get bored of us. I also love hunting for ‘70s and ‘80s country-western vinyl.

•

Mike’s tribute band rocking it out

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Finance

Does your Profit and Loss statement tell your center’s By Travis Harper

TRUE STORY?

know, I know; talking about financial reports makes you yawn. You are probably thinking, ‘This is why I have an accountant,’ and you aren’t wrong. But, in my experience, most bowling center Profit and Loss (P&L) statements are a mess and, in some cases, useless. You may also be thinking, ‘Who cares! Only my accountant needs them,’ but here is where you are wrong. Your financial statements are one of the most important tools you and your management team should be using each month to evaluate your business. These statements tell a part of the story that you cannot get from anywhere else. The purpose of the P&L statement is to show a company’s revenues and expenditures over a specified period, usually over one fiscal year. The P&L statement becomes highly relevant if you are looking to take out a loan for improvements, refinancing existing loans, or when it comes to your exit strategy. Poorly created financials — especially your P&L — can cost you big when it comes to evaluating the worth of your business. There are many types of financial reports, and they all have their purpose, but the P&L statement is the one that is most important to you, your management team, and potential buyers of your center. The P&L has four main sections: 1. Revenue 2. COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) 3. Expenses 4. Other Income & Expenses

22 IBI July 2022

REVENUE This section could be retitled “Sales” because revenues from direct sales should be the only figures you see here. The following list is an example of what should be listed in this section: • League Bowling • Open Bowling • Tournaments • Parties & Events • Shoe Rental • Locker Rental • Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages • Alcohol & Beer • Arcade (if owned) • Pro Shop (if you operate it) • Other Merchandise Your center may have additional ancillary sales such as laser tag, volleyball, or miniature golf, and those would also be added in this section. As you can see in the example above, bowling revenue is broken down into four major categories. This is important because you should be tracking these

Finance revenue streams separately rather than just lumping them together as “Bowling.” These broken-out figures will help you in your monthly evaluations. They tell a much better story. Potential buyers want to see these breakdowns as well. Now let’s quickly discuss things we should not see in this section: • Sales Tax Collected • Lottery/Pull Tab Sales • ATM Fees • Gaming Revenue • Arcade Commissions (if not owned) • Rental Income • Any other income not generated from direct sales These income streams are going to come into play in the “Other Revenue & Expenses” section. When it comes to evaluating your performance, these types of revenue tend to skew things such as Cost Of Goods Sold percentages.

COGS (COST OF GOODS SOLD) This category of expenses is meant to breakout the cost of consumable goods and physical merchandise sold. Some expenses to include here are: • Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages • Alcohol & Beer • Party Supplies • Arcade (redemption merchandise, if owned) • Pro Shop • Other Merchandise Here are some expenses we have seen placed in this category that should not be: • Wages of any kind • Taxes of any kind • Promotions • Supplies These expenses come into play in the next section. By limiting your COGS to the above-mentioned expenses, you are in a much better place to evaluate your sales prices as well as alert you to possible theft or over-pouring in the case of liquor.

EXPENSES I could write an entire article on this alone but here is the Cliff Notes version:

This section is reserved for expenses directly related to the operation of your business that do not fit into the COGS category. The main expenses are: *Wages *Taxes *Utilities

*Licenses *Maintenance *Rent/Mortgage

You should try to categorize these expenses as broadly as possible while still being somewhat descriptive. For instance: you do not need to list all your utilities individually. Rather there should just be the broad category of “Utilities.” You should keep track of each one individually as subcategories that can be seen on a different report, such as a Detailed Expense report. There are a few expenses that should not be placed in this category such as depreciation, amortization, and interest expenses. These expenses should fall into the next and final category.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES This category is the catch-all for income and expenses that do not fit into the categories above. This is where you would account for income streams such as: • Lottery Commission • Arcade Commission • Gaming Commission • Rental Income • ATM Fee Income This is also where you would add expenses such as depreciation, amortization, and interest. When the dust settles, you are left with your net income or loss. There are some owners and accountants who will disagree with how this statement is laid out, and that’s okay. It all comes down to interpretation. This layout, in my opinion, allows you to best evaluate your business. It tells the best story of how your business operates. It will allow you to make informed decisions about pricing, expense reductions, and the value of your business when it comes time to sell. Stay tuned for my next article in this series about how to use your P & L statement to make informed decisions to improve your business. If you have questions about this article, you can contact me at firstframebowling.com.

•

Travis has 15+ years of center management experience and is currently the operations manager at First Frame Bowling and the midwest representative of the Hansell Group. You can contact Travis at travis@firsdtframebowling.com or (844)923-BOWL (2695).

IBI July 2022 23

Jason Belm 14 PBA Majors

Kyle Troup

9 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! Boost 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 improve their play!

Lanetalk is free for centers, fast and easy to set up. For details or to connect your center today – lanetalk.com

SUPERSIZE YOUR CENTER’S ATTRACTIO N!

Marketing

Marketing Monthly WITH BRUCE DAVIS

RKETHave ING BASS.O.B.s ICS WITH BRUCE DAVIS DoMAYou LESSONS TO REMEMBER Working For Your Business?

Statements Of Benefits, That Is!

OTHE MARKETING

ne of the marketing keys to successfully attract and retain customers and staff is your development and promotion of how your business is different. In marketing parlance, the statement of benefits (S.O.B.), also known as unique selling positions (U.S.P.), is essential to your business. If you aren’t using two or more, you are fighting the marketing wars with one arm tied behind your back. An S.O.B. is a particular promise that your business delivers, which results in exceptional customer service, a unique product, or a fantastic deal. When dealing with customers, you can set yourself apart in so many ways. A few are: • Wildly better customer service • Famous food item • Cutting-edge entertainment • Special tournament • Fun and games for casual play bowlers • Robot-assisted wait staff • Oversized cocktails • Outrageous birthday party presentations • Running jackpots or contests It’s a never-ending list, limited only by your creativity! Without one or two S.O.B.s delivered with great flair and consistency, you are missing out on a lot of repeat business, extra revenue, margin from customer visits, and satisfied customers’ word-of-mouth options.

PROCESS

IBI

October 2021

S.O.B.s work with staff, too! Some fun ideas: • Creative work schedules • Flexible time off policies • Meals as part of a shift • Birthdays and anniversaries as paid time off • Work teams that allow two or three people to cover one job • Bonus pay/gifts for workers that go above and beyond Get creative when working to develop and execute your plans. Include a few of your current staffers and perhaps a few of your target customers when looking for suggestions that might help your business stand out from the competition. Don’t toss out an idea just because, at

26 IBI July 2022

antor totoo get hard the most out of your marketing first, it seems too silly to execute. Take the outlays of money andyou efforts? The suggestions and work to figure out how might putmost a effective way know to gain optimum ROI plan together that allows you toI claim your reputation as the place for customers to visit more often a business for your investment is to and always follow a that is great to work for. I suggest you approach your three-step procedure when working to develop a S.O.B.marketing development bypromotion. building a big and outlined then plan or Thepromise three steps working on ways to live up to it. below not only need to be followed they need to be Oncefollowed you andinyour clear on what your S.O.B.s the staff orderare presented. will be, the challenge will be to consistently live up to what you are hoping to be known for far and wide. Great ID The TargeT of Your operators and staff– members get energized once they are part MarkeTIng of a team making special promises to customers and First need to dial in on the target of your efforts. delivering onyou them. Clearly describe people organizations you hope to Some businesses arethe known fororone extraordinary attract. Take time to dig into traits, characteristics, and promise. For example, Dominos’s S.O.B. is on-time current behaviors of your marketing target. No matter if delivery; Walmart’s S.O.B. is for the lowest prices. An operation like a isbowling center or an FECcouples, can have moreor your target made up of individuals, groups, than companies, one S.O.B. However, trying to with present you needresist to take time yourand staff to execute more than a couple as that might water down the discuss all the things that the specific target might find effect you are trying to produce. attractive as part of your offer. Building an offer to appeal It is essential to be with yourself ask, “Why to everyone or ahonest large segment of theand population usually should a prospective consumer pick our business to spend results in a watered-down offer that appeals to no one. time and money? Why would someone choose to work at A bonus true available target marketing: once you Our tighten who my center over to other options?” “Join Great yoursigns target youenough; will be able to save on costs to reach Team!” areis,not “Enjoy Our Super Service!” as well.Your S.O.B.s need to be much more is toothem mundane. specific and hard-hitting. Make sure your team feels like they have contributed to your S.O.B.s to get complete buy-in and make them feel like an important part of the team. If you want your staff to provide the experience you say you do, then getting them on board is crucial. Your S.O.B.s should become an important part of your company culture. Consider having t-shirts, buttons, or other merchandise options that share what you’re famous for. You want your S.O.B.s to be shared by as many employees and guests as possible. Make it fun and easy for people to share their experiences at your center with their circle of influence on social media. Give them a few areas that are Insta-worthy and relate to what you’re offering. Being famous for something unique, different, fun, or unusually good can help make you a winner in the battle for customers and staffers alike, regardless of your size, location, or competition. Stand for something different, and you will stand out from others.

Step 1

•

Expert Alley

EXPERT ALLEY with Don Agent from Kegel

Verifying Your Lane Maintenance Process Every Day

t is critical now more than ever in the game of bowling to verify your lane maintenance procedures daily. This simply means using your basic senses to ensure the lane machine has performed the task adequately. Why is this you may ask? The daily responsibility of lane maintenance has shifted away from the operator and directly to the lane machines that are currently being used. Many bowling centers have automated lane machines, or manual machines that are pre-programmed and the operator simply presses a button while the machine does all the lane maintenance. Remember it is critical that the operator ensure the machine has achieved what it was programmed to do; just because the lane machine went down the lane and returned back to the foul line does not necessarily mean the lane has been cleaned and conditioned properly. Simply training your eyes, ears, and hands to focus on specific aspects

28 IBI July 2022

of the lane machine as well as the lane surface will give you daily peace of mind and your customers will be more than satisfied with the result. The thing that bowlers look for the most in bowling is consistency, not high scoring. However, high scoring inevitably evolves from consistency which means there is a way to give your customers both. Just spending an extra ten minutes per day will guarantee your customers’ satisfaction every time they come to your center to bowl. Utilizing these simple tips every time you perform lane maintenance will have your customers coming back for more. Scan the QR code below to view these daily lane maintenance tips.

•

Security

ONE STEP

AHEAD

Avoid and defend against a devastating violent incident at your center By Cameron Linder

rime has skyrocketed in every metropolitan center nationwide since the summer of 2020. It seems like there’s a major shooting at a bowling center with alarming frequency. While your insurance will pay to defend you from the inevitable lawsuit, they can’t restore your reputation for a safe and fun environment, which means avoidance is the best strategy. So how do you make sure your center doesn’t get hit? Here are a few steps you should take to avoid and defend against a devastating violent incident at your center: • Do not post your closing hours on your website or Google or Yelp if it’s after 11 p.m. Most criminal activity occurs after midnight, so don’t advertise that your center is open. This also gives you the freedom to close your doors at will should you start to notice a problem in the facility. • If you have noticed increased criminal activity in your area or an uptick in the number of arguments and fights in your building, you MUST hire security. Security, including off-duty police, needs to be hired properly, so DO NOT SIGN A SECURITY CONTRACT WITHOUT REVIEW! • Review your music selection and your service hours. Do you close alcohol service at 11 p.m. for instance, to deter crowds even though you’re open later? • Emphasize and train all staff to be on high alert for possible criminal activity, including loitering, suspicious

32 IBI July 2022

behavior, or arguments. Staff should report all suspicions to management, and anything serious should result in a call to the police immediately. • Ensure all your interior and exterior cameras are working. Post signs announcing your property is under video surveillance. Then make sure your DVR is working correctly and upgrade if necessary, so that it can preserve at least 30 days of footage. 60 days would be even better. WBPI is happy to review your security strategy and security contracts. Contact Cameron Linder at Cameron.linder@rednilbrokers.com.

•

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

By Robert Sax

NEW ENERGY

For A Longstanding Program Fresh initiative sends BVL carpet bowling kits to troops abroad and to veterans facilities nationwide

hanks to the Bowlers to Veterans Link organization, America’s active-duty troops around the world have been able to enjoy bowling when serving far from home. For more than 16 years, this volunteer group has sent American troops lightweight, portable bowling kits that consist of a 26-foot-long red, white, and blue carpet bowling lane, a 5-pound rubberized bowling ball, and lightweight plastic bowling pins. It all fits in a nylon carrying bag and can be set up in a few minutes time. The kit also includes score sheets and instructions. John Sommer Jr., proprietor of Don Carter Lanes in Rockford, IL, was influential in developing the program. As national equipment distributor for USBC’s Bowlers Education program, he had helped to reduce the cost of making and shipping the program’s carpet bowling kit to American schools. Sommer designed a custom version of the carpet lane that was red, white, and blue with the message ‘The Bowlers of America Salute You’ printed on it. Those donating a kit could sign the nylon carrying bag, and there was enough room in the shipping container for additional goodies. “We would usually put little surprises in there of toiletries and candy; sometimes we were able to sneak in 15 to 20 pounds of snacks. So they got a huge care package and then out rolls the full bowling lane,” says Sommer. Initial shipments of the kits went to 40 bases in Iran and Afghanistan. Response was enthusiastic, especially from troops who were avid bowlers. “When you’re used to bowling any time you want, then suddenly you cannot bowl at all due to lack of facilities, it’s a dark, sad feeling,” Staff Sergeant Darwyn Luat told IBI in 2010. Luat gave the kit a positive review, noting, “The weight of the ball being

34 IBI July 2022

Trying out the BVL carpet lanes

Let Us Make Your Center Look Like A New Center

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FEATURING THE

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MULTIPLE SCORING UPGRADE OPTIONS If you simply want to keep the investment you already made running, we may be able to help with a combination of new, used, refurbished, or repair on many scoring and machine components. We have been offering support to maintain your current investment for over 11 years.

TouchDesk Management System for as low as $16,595 If you have Legacy Scoring (Brunswick AS-80/90, Frameworx or AMF Magic Score, Accuscore, Boss) you can upgrade the Management System to TouchDesk Windows 10. This is a great option if your scoring is still doing the job, but you worry about the management system lasting through another season. System is CDE/BLS Compatible, offers POS options, and more. Once purchased, you can upgrade scoring - one pair at a time.

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Let Us Make Your Center Look Like A New Center

Feature as light as it is compensating for the holes not being drilled to fit your hand and allows for some degree of control. Good job on that.” Sommer and his team received many letters of thanks. A seaman from the carrier U.S.S. Enterprise wrote to say, “Whenever we find a time to set the lane up, it tends to bring out sailors from every hatch looking for a chance to relieve some stress. And everyone agrees that this is one of the coolest packages ever.” Sommer has also received several framed American flags that flew over recipients’ bases overseas. Other recipients wrote to tell him that when their deployment ended, they would leave the kits behind for their replacements to enjoy. Now that the American military missions to Iraq and Afghanistan are over, the demand for shipping kits abroad has dropped. Sommer is happy that the troops have come home, but he says there is still a role for the kits to play. He wants to get more kits to veterans in hospitals and veterans’ homes in the U.S. “We’ve still got stock of everything for the kits. I think the one thing we should focus on is some of these retirement homes where [veterans] don’t get out as much,” he says, “if nothing else, just to let them know we’re thinking about them.” Sommer hopes to do more promotion of the domestic program to the industry and says potential donors should contact BVL to send kits. “Just tell them you want a kit sent to a certain retirement home. If they want to, they can have the storage bag sent to them ahead of time so they can sign it.” The cost of donating and shipping a kit runs $300-$500, so it’s an affordable volunteer opportunity for bowlers who want to support the troops. To donate a bowling kit, contact BVL at 703-934-6039 or visit www.bvl.org.

•

Lane kit set up

The soldiers roll up the bowling carpet lane after a little much-needed R&R 36 IBI July 2022

Ready for action!

Shorts

GOODWILL CENTRAL GOLF CARTS DONATED BY BOWLERS

The Metro Detroit United States Bowling Congress and Bowlers to Veterans Link have found a unique way to help out those who served their country through military service. Two golf carts were donated to the Michigan Veteran Homes at Chesterfield township by the two organizations. Both groups support veterans and active-duty service members through recreation therapy programs. Tiffany Carr, community engagement coordinator for Michigan Veteran Homes said, “These golf carts will provide transportation for veteran members to enjoy the natural surroundings and observe a wide range of wildlife across our 30 acres. We are so grateful for BVL and Metro Detroit USBC.”

TULSA POLICE BOWL WITH THE KIDS

“The kids need to know that they can trust an officer,” said Rodney Garnett, community engagement coordinator for The Badge Program and the Tulsa Dream Center. Building trust is what officers did at Andy B’s in Tulsa, OK, with fourth-graders bowling, eating pizza, and playing laser tag. Seeing the officers having fun and laughing with the kids helps change perceptions, allowing the kids to see a different side of a police officer. One of them came away saying, “Cops don’t harm people, they help people.”

Shorts

EXPANSIONS, OPENINGS AND NEW BEGINNINGS CHAMPAGNE, BOWLING, AND GREAT PHOTO OPS Who doesn’t like to take and post pics of friends having fun? In Phoenix, AZ, there is a new champagne bar and bowling alley combined for tons of fun and photo ops galore. Châm Pang Lanes is the place. It is colorful with elaborate wallpapers, beautiful cocktails, a delicious menu, and disco ball displays that lend themselves to great Instagram photos. Châm Pang Lanes

A NEW SOCIAL CLUB FOR THE BOZEMAN COMMUNITY A social club by definition is adult in nature and has something for everyone. That is what Bozeman, MT, is finding out in the Ponderosa Social Club. The club’s 14,000 square feet includes a casino, four bowling lanes, shuffleboard, and pool tables, plus a restaurant and three bars — definitely an adult playground.

Co-owner Taylor Shull in newly opened Ponderosa Social Club

BREWS AND BOWLING – A PERFECT COMBINATION! Newly opened, Steel Leaf is a brewing company. Making its new home in Buffalo, NY, in an old Dave & Buster’s, this venue will distinguish itself through unique beers, but it will entertain its customers with good food and an indoor park area which will offer bowling lanes and cornhole —just to name a few games — left behind by Dave & Buster’s.

MORE GROWTH FOR ELEV8 FUN BRAND The Elev8 Fun brand is growing rapidly! The brand is continuing its Florida expansion with a third location in Jensen Beach. Elev8 Fun Jensen Beach will feature 115,000 square feet of entertainment space. Guests can enjoy go-karts, arcade games, mini golf, bowling lanes, axe throwing, laser tag and more. This location will feature a full-service restaurant, bar, and an expansive outdoor seating area. There are several party rooms and 2,600 square feet of corporate meeting space. Another location is under construction in Tampa, and as many as 15 potential locations already having been identified.

38 IBI July 2022

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 Gus Falgien

863.734.0200

www.kegel.net Gus.Falgien@kegel.net

Lane maintenance equipment/supplies, pinsetter parts, and coaching tools.

IBI July 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 July 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 July 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 July 2022

Classifieds

Visit

www.BowlingIndustry.com for online exclusive stories

IBI July 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.

SERVICES AVAILABLE Drill Bit Sharpening and Measure Ball Repair. Jayhawk Bowling Supply. (800)255-6436 or jayhawkbowling.com

HEAD MECHANIC WANTED Head Mechanic needed for busy center in New Jersey. Great salary and benefits package. Brunswick A-2 pinspotters. Email resume to sgroce@nationwidebowling.com

HELP WANTED GREAT OPPORTUNITY - 24 lane center, AMF 82-70’s in Western, PA. Strong leagues, billiards, vending. No bar or restaurant. Qualified candidate must have diversified skills – front desk, mechanically inclined, lane maintenance, customer service. Pay commensurate with experience. Send resume to mick31@consolidated.net.

44 IBI July 2022

Classifieds

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/

to place your Classified Ad in International Bowling Industry Magazine

Call (239) 821-2534 or E-mail your ad to:

Natalie@bowlingindustry.com IBI July 2022 45

Remember When

1950

abst Brewing Co. knew that nothing sold like friendly competition accompanied by a good beer. So in this 1950 ad for Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, they put two well-known actors/announcers on the lanes sharing an evening of bowling.

Just a year later, the ad would be played out in their two careers. In 1951, these dueling comrades would cross paths at The Burns and Allen Show, with Goodwin leaving and von Zell moving in and staying with the show on television.

At that time, Bill Goodwin was the announcer and sidekick neighbor on radio’s The Burns and Allen Show. Harry von Zell announced William Bendix’s The Life of Riley, among other shows.

But in the 1950s those changes were still in the stars. Bowling was the venue, and beer was the drink of choice.

46 IBI July 2022

•

BRILLIANT PINSPOT TING TECHNOLOGY T H AT S I M P L I F I E S T H E B O W L I N G Y O U L O V E From the leader in pinspotter innovation & technology comes the new EDGE Free-Fall Pinspotter. With innovative features, including the Tech Wizard App—the only operational support expert system available for pinspotting equipment—EDGE Free-Fall delivers amazing performance and operational efficiency, along with peace of mind. Proudly designed and assembled in the USA.

See the EDGE Free-Fall in action!