How Amusement Games Can Transform Your Retail Space & Drive Foot Traffic
BFC Enterprises • April 22, 2025
Business owners are constantly searching for innovative ways to attract customers and increase revenue. One strategy that continues to deliver impressive results is the addition of amusement games to retail establishments, restaurants, and community centers. These entertainment options create unique experiences that keep customers coming back and staying longer.
The Power of On-Site Entertainment
When customers visit your establishment, providing them with more than just your primary service creates a memorable experience. Pizza Ranch, a popular Midwest-based pizza buffet chain, discovered this when they began incorporating
arcade games into their locations. According to
case studies, their locations with gaming areas saw significant increases in both customer retention and overall spending.
How?
Amusement games transform ordinary visits into entertainment experiences. A customer who might spend 45 minutes dining could extend their visit to two hours when arcade games are available. This extended stay typically results in additional food and beverage purchases - directly impacting your bottom line.
Driving Foot Traffic Through Gaming
One of the most compelling reasons to add amusement games to your establishment is their proven ability to drive foot traffic. Games attract customers during traditionally slow business periods and can significantly boost weekday visits. Parents seeking activities for children’s birthdays or other events, friends looking for casual entertainment, and families planning weekend outings all gravitate toward venues offering gaming options.
Amusement games also appeal to diverse demographics. Modern arcades feature games that attract everyone from young children to adults, making your establishment a destination for multiple age groups. This broad appeal translates directly into increased foot traffic and customer diversity.
In cases like
Pizza Ranch Fun Zones, the appeal for children is especially high. Not only do guests stay longer, children also request to return to the establishment so they can enjoy more game time.
Creating Additional Revenue Streams
Beyond attracting more customers, amusement games provide direct revenue opportunities. Most modern arcade systems use card-based payment rather than coins, creating a seamless experience for customers while generating income through:
- Direct game play revenue
- Redemption prizes that encourage repeated visits
- Increased food and beverage sales during extended stays
- Birthday party and event bookings centered around gaming options
The return on investment for quality amusement games is typically realized within months rather than years, especially when properly promoted and maintained.
Building Community Through Shared Experiences
Community centers and family-focused establishments benefit particularly from arcade installations. Games create natural social environments where people interact and form connections. Regular gaming tournaments or special events centered around your arcade can build customer loyalty and community engagement.
For restaurants, amusement games provide entertainment while customers wait for tables or food, turning potential frustration points into enjoyable experiences. This dramatically improves customer satisfaction and reduces perceived wait times.
Implementation Considerations
When adding amusement games to your establishment, consider:
- Dedicating the right amount of space based on your business model
- Working with reputable vendors who offer game placement, maintenance and can switch out games on demand
- Selecting games, in consultation with your provider, that appeal to your target demographic
- Creating promotional strategies that highlight your gaming options
The Bottom Line
The addition of amusement games to retail spaces, restaurants, and community centers represents a strategic investment in customer experience. These entertainment options drive foot traffic, increase visit duration, generate additional revenue, and create memorable experiences that build customer loyalty.
As demonstrated by success stories like Pizza Ranch, the right mix of quality gaming options can transform an ordinary retail establishment into a destination location where customers choose to spend their time and money. In today's experience-focused market, providing entertainment value alongside your primary offerings isn't just smart business, it's increasingly becoming an expectation.
Contact the amusement game experts at BFC Enterprises
today!
Discover how you can turn your establishment into a gaming destination.
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