Ep3: Trading a Dark Ride for Mini Bowling: Capital Investments with Fun Fore All
- Clint Novak
- May 11
- 2 min read
Replacing a major attraction is one of the toughest, most expensive decisions an operator has to make. Once you finally pull the trigger and tear it out, what exactly goes into that empty footprint to guarantee a solid return on investment?
In Episode 3 of The FEC Masterminds Podcast, Erik and I sat down with Chris Camp from Fun Fore All in Cranberry Township, PA, to talk through the operational realities of massive capital investments. Chris walked us through his facility’s exact decision-making process when it came to a massive overhaul on their floor, and the lessons learned along the way are invaluable for any operator looking at an expansion.
Here are a few of the biggest takeaways from our conversation.
Making the Hard Call: Tearing Out the Dark Ride
Every attraction has a lifespan, and eventually, the cost of maintenance and the decline in ridership mean it is time for a change. For Chris and his team at Fun Fore All, that meant making the difficult decision to remove their dark ride.
Tearing out an attraction of that size is a massive physical and financial undertaking. It leaves you with a huge, empty footprint and a lot of pressure to figure out what comes next. Chris walks us through the internal discussions they had while staring at that blank space, trying to determine what new experience would maximize revenue and appeal to their core demographic.
Why Mini Bowling Was the Winning Ticket
After weighing their options, the Fun Fore All team decided to install mini (boutique) bowling.
In the episode, Chris breaks down exactly why this was the right call for their specific footprint. We get into the operational challenges of the installation, how adding a large-scale anchor attraction completely altered the guest flow in the building, and the immediate impact it had on their overall bottom line.
The Trial by Fire: The First Event
Installing a new attraction is only half the battle; operating it is where the real test begins. Chris shares the story of the very first event they hosted in the brand-new mini bowling area.
Like any new addition, there is a learning curve. Navigating the new traffic patterns, figuring out food and beverage logistics in a newly activated space, and training the staff to manage the lanes all presented real-world challenges. Hearing how Chris and his team adapted on the fly is a masterclass in operations.
Bonus: Executing a Massive Holiday Mini-Golf Overlay
Beyond the capital investments, Chris also drops some serious knowledge on seasonal overlays. If you have ever considered transforming your mini-golf course for the holidays, Chris breaks down the logistics, the lighting nightmares, and the massive revenue potential of doing it right.
Listen to the Full Episode
If you are currently staring at an underperforming footprint in your facility, or if you are gearing up for a major capital investment, Chris drops some serious operational gold in this episode.
🎧 Watch or listen to Episode 3 of The FEC Masterminds Podcast right here:
Need help navigating a massive capital investment or figuring out the best use of your facility's footprint? Reach out to us at Novak Amusement Solutions to see how we can help take your operation to the next level.
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