There is no hiding from the truth, 2020 has been catastrophic for our industry, our communities, and the world. It seems everyday something new occurs and keeping up with 2020 is simply overwhelming.
Here at TRR we like numbers and we wanted some hard data to help us compare 2019 to 2020 gross numbers. We decided to start our analysis at the height of COVID, when everyone was forced to shut down, and continue through the present. We asked many of our closest clients to submit what they felt comfortable with and, as always, they were more than willing to help. We kept their names confidential and instead used the geographic region. We also requested the status of operations (e.g. 50% capacity, limited laser tag vests, etc.).
Midwest:
We closed on March 17th and opened May 25. When we opened May 25th, we had a capacity limitation of 50 people and we were only opened for reserved play 2 hours per day every day. The reserved play, we did one price for unlimited arcade (no tickets), mini bowling, and Ballocity.
We opened "normally" for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting June 12, 1pm to 6pm. We continued the reserve play Mondays - Thursdays. We had a capacity limitation of 50 people in the building and 12 in laser tag.
We decided to close Monday - Thursday starting the week of July 27th. We just didn't see the demand to stay open during the weekdays. We closed and no one really noticed. We no longer have capacity limitations. We have not opened our VR attraction yet and don't plan to anytime soon.
Since our reopening, cafe is only open for drinks, Icees, Dippin Dots, and small snacks (popcorn, pretzels, nachos) because the demand isn't there so it's not worth the food wastage and staff expenses.
Now for the numbers:
March - Down 62% from last year ($145,000 to $55,000)
April - Down 100% from last year ($60,000 to $0)
May - Down 97% from last year ($64,000 to $2,000)
June - Down 85% from last year ($67,000 to $9,800)
July - Down 84.5% from last year ($66,000 to $10,200)
We are seeing that all our attractions (Arcade, Mini Bowling, Laser Tag, Ballocity) are all down 85%. Because of our limited offerings in cafe, sales are down 90%.
For your reference, arcade & mini bowling make up 50% of our sales. Laser tag is 10%, Ballocity is 15%, Food, beverage, alcohol is 15%, and birthdays/group events are 10%.
Southeast:
We reopened on June 14th and the following info encompasses the numbers from there until August 12th, which is 60 days.
Parts:
2019-$61,164
2020-$14,220
-76.75%
Food:
2019-$43,694
2020-$38,249
-12.24%
Laser Tag:
2019-$61,190
2020-$43,871
-28.16%
Arcade:
2019-$267,058
2020-$208,630
-25.30%
Spin Zone:
2019-$16,293
2020-$21,306
+30.76%
Grand Total:
2019-$434,154
2020-$305,160
-29.71
We normally make 50 laser tag vests available for play now we limit it to 12.
South:
Arcade (every other game in service plus staffing one additional attendant)
2019-$196,067.75
2020-$25,301.37
-85.67%
Birthday Parties (10 people or less. Appointment only)
2019-$94,129.32
2020-$10,556.25
-88.79%
Specials
2019-$542,344.06
2020-$62,319
-88.51%
F&B
2019-$148,246.53
2020-$16,712.75
-88.73%
Attractions (limited seating; e.g. bumper boats 6 out of 10 boats)
2019-$167,392.36
2020-$35,868.20
-78.57%
Laser Tag (10 out of 24 vests)
2019-$101,464.20
2020-$7,475
-92.63%
Grand Total
2019-$1,053,576.47
2020-$132,931.20
-87.38%
Northeast:
Restrictions: No indoor food and 100-person capacity.
Bowling
2019-$217,329.23
2020-$13,868.69
Arcade
2019-$98,174.86
2020-$6,604
Laser Tag (Family/friends appointment only, 6 vests=$39.99 plus an addition $8 per vest).
2019-$40,644.34
2020-$1,807.82
F&B
2019-$144,233.18
2020-$7,865.47
Birthday Parties
2019-$200,552.37
2020-$10,045.12
Grand Total
2019-$700,933.98
2020-$40,191.10
Southeast:
Laser Tag, Ballocity, and batting cages are still closed.
Arcade is modified with some games not available and multi-stations not fully available.
No birthday parties.
Bowling is every other lane.
Arcade (ONLY games): 22% (opened second with Spin Zone) capacity @ only 20 people at a time
Laser Tag: 0% (still closed)
Ballocity: 0% (still closed)
Spin Zone: -77% (opened second with arcade)
Go Carts: -76% (opened third)
Batting Cages: 0% (still closed)
Mini Golf: -70% (opened first with bowling)
Bowling: -72% (every other lane only and only up to six people on a lane-the latter is the usual)
Birthday Parties: 0% (we are not doing parties yet)