Novak Roadshow

As part of the Novak Roadshow, my monthly consulting tour aimed at helping Family Entertainment Center (FEC) operators optimize their businesses, I recently visited a brand-new facility that completely blew me away: The Hub in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Meeting with Philip Glass, who was instrumental in getting the facility open, I got an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at a massive entertainment complex. Only two weeks into their opening, they are already showcasing some incred

In the world of Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), there’s a common playbook: hire a general contractor, buy your attractions from a catalog, and call a tech support line when the lights go out. Then, there’s The Castle Fun Center in Chester, NY. I recently had the chance to tour this sprawling facility with their General Manager, Mike , and I walked away with a massive amount of respect for their operation. The Castle is a masterclass in the "Hands-on Ethos." While many f

Clint and Brett outside Bongos The Novak Roadshow is back on the move! Our mission is to find the hidden gems and operational brilliance that move the needle in the FEC industry. This month, the road took me to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, where Brett and Kourtney welcomed me in for a full tour of their incredible facility: Bongo’s Fun Center. What makes this stop so special is the history. Originally founded in 1976 as the iconic Fort SK8, Bongo’s is officially celebrating 5

Clint Novak Selfie with Christa & Russ The latest stop on the Novak Roadshow took me to the beautiful Miramar Beach, Florida, to visit Russ and his team at Rainforest Blacklight Golf & Arcade . Russ operates two locations, but the Miramar Beach site is a fantastic case study in how to grow within a strip mall footprint while maintaining a high-end, immersive feel. The Layout: Beyond the Blacklight The core of the facility is a massive, 18-hole indoor blacklight mini-golf cou