1) Don't just focus on pinball - pins are a minor part of most arcades.
2) Build slowly, we started with 1500 sq ft 30 machines , grew to 4000 sq ft 130 machines in 4 years
3) You don't need just all new sterns. It helps because they usually need less maintenance, but its an expensive proposition.
4) Single fee entry, no food it possible. You don't HAVE TO HAVE a barcade for this to work.
5) Run it as a hobby at first so your income isn't dependent on it. You won't be able to pay yourself for a while.
6) Budget effectively for parts, and I hope you plan on fixing yourself because repair techs can be a major expense in some instances. The worst thing are broken pins that don't play well, even to non-experts.
7) Run a sound business. Expenses should match income as soon as you can get it there. No use bankrupting yourself rolling in $200K to a place and then having to dig yourself out.
It won't be until year 3 at least until you have a real clientele.
In year one, all volunteers, $8 entry fee, we made some nights $45.
Then we climbed to over $100K once we moved location, rebranded name, and installed more video games
Then we got killed by the pandemic and lost money collecting $80K when all was said and done.
And finally rolling out of pandemic we are poised for over $200K - most of that is still not profit despite low fixed costs.
And now we get to move again, but luckily we believe its a better location.
THis is not for the timid or those who are looking at making a killing. There is not a killing to be made. But you can run a successful business and make it work if you run it soundly and not pie in the sky.
