Expert Checklist: Preparations Before the Opening of a Bowling Center

Opening a bowling center is an exciting but difficult business. To make sure your launch is a success, you need to choose the right location, make sure your equipment is perfect and your marketing is good. This complete guide explains everything you need to know to get your bowling center ready to open. It will help you avoid making any mistakes that could cost you money.

Market Research and Business Planning

Before signing any contracts or ordering lanes, make sure you plan your bowling business carefully.

Target Market Analysis

First, you need to know what your ideal customer looks like. Who are you trying to reach? Families, corporate teams, teenagers or competitive bowlers? Knowing who your customers are helps you decide on prices and decorations.

Competitive Analysis

Look at other bowling centers near you. What services do they offer? What are their opening hours, prices, and themes? Knowing what the competition is doing will help you decide where to focus your efforts.

Location Selection and Layout Planning

Where you are based can make or break your bowling business.

Rules about renting out shops and businesses and the areas where they can and can't be

Choose somewhere where there are a lot of people and where it's easy to get to. Make sure you know what the zoning laws are for the area, as this will tell you whether or not you can put a bowling center there. Get a lawyer to check the lease terms and make sure everything is in line with the law.

Designing the space and how it flows

A successful bowling center is about more than just the lanes. You'll need space for:

Welcome and shoe hire

There are bowling lanes and seating.

There is an arcade and a lounge area.

There is a bar where you can get food and drinks.

Toilets and office space.

It's really important that customers have a good experience.

Procuring Bowling Alley Equipment

Having the right equipment is important for smooth operations from day one.

Lanes, Balls, and Pins

Invest in high-quality lanes, ideally synthetic, to make them easier to maintain. Make sure you have a range of ball weights and sizes, and use regulation pins to make sure the game is always the same.

Pinsetters, ball returns and scoring systems

Modern pinsetters and ball return systems reduce the time spent fixing and maintaining the equipment. Most modern customers expect electronic scoring systems to be part of the game.

Systems for lighting and sound

Make a cool space with LED lighting and surround sound. The music and lights should be easy to adjust for glow bowling nights or league events.

Licensing, Permits, and Insurance

Don't forget to think about the legal side of opening your center.

Information about business licenses and safety codes.

Make sure you apply for and get all the business licenses and fire safety inspections you need. Local building codes may have specific requirements for public entertainment venues.

Insurance coverage information.

Get insurance for general liability, property, and workers' compensation. This protects your assets and employees if there is an accident or damage.

Hiring and Training Staff

Having a great team is really important for keeping customers happy and making sure everything runs smoothly.

So, here's the plan for hiring new people:

Typical roles include:

The people on the front desk and the people who rent out shoes.

Lane technicians

We're on the lookout for kitchen and bar staff.

Cleaners and maintenance team

Hey, just wanted to let you know that our marketing and management team is here to help.

Staff training is a bit of a hot topic at the moment.

All staff should be trained in customer service, POS systems, and safety protocols. Lane techs and bar staff will need special knowledge and certifications.

Marketing and Pre-Launch Promotion

Your grand opening should be more than just unlocking the doors.

Creating a brand and managing social media

Come up with a brand identity, including a logo, colours and tone. Start your social media pages months before opening so that people are excited and interested.

Promotions, discounts and a soft opening

Offer early bird discounts, family packages, or group rates. Invite your friends, the media and influencers to your soft opening. They can give you feedback and help you get more customers.

Technology and Management Systems

Technology makes things easier and happier for customers.

Systems for taking payments, making reservations and managing customer relationships

Use a cloud-based system for easy reporting. Let people book online for lanes and birthday packages. Customer relationship management (CRM) tools help to keep customers loyal and to market to them.

Maintenance and Monitoring Tools

Invest in tools to check the condition of pinsetters, lane oilers, and HVAC systems. It's better to do preventative maintenance (maintenance that stops problems before they happen) than to do emergency repairs (repairs that are needed when something breaks).

Budgeting and Financial Planning

Just make sure you're on top of your money situation.

Here's a quick breakdown of the startup costs:

The main costs are

Things like painting the walls or putting in new carpets—things like that.

Buying equipment

Licensing and permits

First things first: how much stock do we have, and who's going to work there?

Here are the ongoing operating costs:

You'll need to budget for things like utilities, payroll, maintenance, supplies and marketing. Keep a close eye on your cash flow for the first 6–12 months.

Final Inspections and Soft Launch

Before opening your doors to the public, ensure everything is ready.

Health, Safety, and Equipment Checks

Check all the equipment. Make sure you check the fire exits and signs and that everything meets the rules for disabled people. Make sure that the food service and electrical systems pass the inspections.

Gathering Customer Feedback

Use your soft launch to get real-time feedback. Watch how guests move through your facility and change your business operations as needed.

Conclusion

If you want to set up a successful bowling center, you need to prepare well. So, from doing the research to getting the equipment, hiring people and marketing, every step is like building blocks that'll help you be successful in the long run. If you plan ahead and do things by the book, you'll end up with a center that everyone loves, and your business will be doing really well.

To learn how to build a successful bowling alley, please check out our article: How to Build a Bowling Alley?

FAQs: Preparations Before Opening a Bowling Center

1. How much does it cost to open a bowling center?
   A small center may cost $500,000 to $1 million, while larger facilities can exceed $2 million.

2. How long does it take to open a bowling center?
   Planning, permitting, and construction can take 9–18 months, depending on local regulations and funding.

3. What permits are needed for a bowling center?
   Business license, food service permit, fire safety clearance, and zoning approval are typically required.

4. Do I need a special license to serve alcohol?
   Yes, you’ll need a liquor license, which may vary based on local laws and your operating hours.

5. What is a soft opening?
   A soft opening is a limited-access preview of your center for friends, family, or select customers to test operations and gather feedback.

6. Should I buy new or used bowling equipment?
   New equipment offers longer warranties and the latest features, but used gear can save costs if carefully inspected.