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Hypothetically How Much To Start A Pinball Arcade?
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<blockquote data-quote="shutyertrap" data-source="post: 286534" data-attributes="member: 134"><p>In my daily ruminations, I started thinking about what it would take to start up a pinball arcade, what you'd need to have besides pinball, and how long it'd take to before you were turning a profit. I know nothing of leasing a space, setting up a business, nothing. So who wants to play along?</p><p></p><p>First off, you'd need machines. Let's say you want to start fresh and buy brand new. Top quality condition machines, newest titles, no immediate repair costs, seems like a good place to start, no? Also, I'm gonna say those players want to be playing Premium model and not base in the case of Stern, possibly JJP too. So here's what is currently readily available since they are still being made...</p><p></p><p><strong>STERN</strong></p><p></p><p>Black Knight: SoR</p><p>The Munsters</p><p>Deadpool</p><p>Iron Maiden</p><p>Guardians of the Galaxy</p><p>Star Wars</p><p>Batman '66</p><p></p><p>Call it 9K a pop, and that's <strong>$56,000</strong> right there.</p><p></p><p><strong>Jersey Jack Pinball</strong></p><p></p><p>Wizard of Oz</p><p>The Hobbit</p><p>Dialed In</p><p>Pirates of the Carribean</p><p>Willy Wonka</p><p></p><p>Again calling it 9K a title, <strong>$45,000</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>Chicago Gaming Company</strong></p><p></p><p>Medieval Madness Remake</p><p>Monster Bash Remake</p><p>Attack From Mars Remake</p><p></p><p>List is 8K per, so <strong>$24,000</strong></p><p></p><p>So for a 15 machine arcade, that's $125,000 just to start. So what else?</p><p></p><p>I'm guessing a coin machine or two is a must.</p><p>Maybe a vending machine for water and sodas? Another for snacks? Seems to me that stuff is easy profit, and if you want someone to spend a long time in your arcade, you're gonna have to address basic thirst and hunger.</p><p>So how much is that all going to run?</p><p></p><p>I also got to thinking about what would a modern pinball arcade need to separate itself from just a regular space while not needing a liquor license.</p><p></p><p>I'd be impressed with monitors above the backbox displaying the playfield for anyone to see.</p><p>Would a merch area for t-shirts and such be a good idea?</p><p>Some table tops and stools to sit at with free wi-fi?</p><p>Hardwood instead of concrete or carpet?</p><p>Would you want all the machines to have a headphone jack available?</p><p></p><p>I also imagine there'd need to be a backroom space to house a few machines that are in various states of maintenance. So imagine if you had 20 machines on the floor, 5 of which are older titles. All machines go through a regular maintenance routine that would have them pulled from the floor for a bit. So in addition to this closed off area, you'll also need a bevy of parts and tools at the ready, right? I've also just added the cost of 8 more machines to the mix! Or do you just buy new whatever the next Stern and JJP machines are while earning back on the one's you just purchased, and skip the older machines entirely?</p><p></p><p>In my dream world, I also imagine a space with 5 or so machines that are for sale. So someone wants to sell their machine, they drop it off at the arcade. You service it up if needed, put it on the floor, it's available for play, keep all coin drops as your commission. If it doesn't sell inside a month, you have the option of telling the seller to come and pick it up, or maybe it's earning well and not costing you space, so you keep it longer. Does that scenario have any basis in reality?</p><p></p><p>What kind of hours would a pinball arcade be expected to keep? Noon to 10? 3 to midnight? Would it make sense to only be open Wed-Sun, just to keep the employee number to a minimum?</p><p>Would you do actual coin drops, with all these new tables costing $1 a game, $2 for 3 or would you charge an entry fee and have everything on free play? What would that fee even be? I'm guessing a lot of that would also depend on location, whether you're next to a laundromat or in a strip mall with foot traffic, or are a stand-alone destination. </p><p></p><p>So many things to consider that spoil the fun of daydreaming! But I really do wonder, what would the initial startup loan need to be for facilities and equipment, what would you as an owner expect to take home in pay per month, and how long would it take to pay off that initial loan and essentially run in the black?</p><p></p><p>More to the point, is it still pointless to open an arcade in this day and age?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="shutyertrap, post: 286534, member: 134"] In my daily ruminations, I started thinking about what it would take to start up a pinball arcade, what you'd need to have besides pinball, and how long it'd take to before you were turning a profit. I know nothing of leasing a space, setting up a business, nothing. So who wants to play along? First off, you'd need machines. Let's say you want to start fresh and buy brand new. Top quality condition machines, newest titles, no immediate repair costs, seems like a good place to start, no? Also, I'm gonna say those players want to be playing Premium model and not base in the case of Stern, possibly JJP too. So here's what is currently readily available since they are still being made... [B]STERN[/B] Black Knight: SoR The Munsters Deadpool Iron Maiden Guardians of the Galaxy Star Wars Batman '66 Call it 9K a pop, and that's [B]$56,000[/B] right there. [B]Jersey Jack Pinball[/B] Wizard of Oz The Hobbit Dialed In Pirates of the Carribean Willy Wonka Again calling it 9K a title, [B]$45,000[/B] [B]Chicago Gaming Company[/B] Medieval Madness Remake Monster Bash Remake Attack From Mars Remake List is 8K per, so [B]$24,000[/B] So for a 15 machine arcade, that's $125,000 just to start. So what else? I'm guessing a coin machine or two is a must. Maybe a vending machine for water and sodas? Another for snacks? Seems to me that stuff is easy profit, and if you want someone to spend a long time in your arcade, you're gonna have to address basic thirst and hunger. So how much is that all going to run? I also got to thinking about what would a modern pinball arcade need to separate itself from just a regular space while not needing a liquor license. I'd be impressed with monitors above the backbox displaying the playfield for anyone to see. Would a merch area for t-shirts and such be a good idea? Some table tops and stools to sit at with free wi-fi? Hardwood instead of concrete or carpet? Would you want all the machines to have a headphone jack available? I also imagine there'd need to be a backroom space to house a few machines that are in various states of maintenance. So imagine if you had 20 machines on the floor, 5 of which are older titles. All machines go through a regular maintenance routine that would have them pulled from the floor for a bit. So in addition to this closed off area, you'll also need a bevy of parts and tools at the ready, right? I've also just added the cost of 8 more machines to the mix! Or do you just buy new whatever the next Stern and JJP machines are while earning back on the one's you just purchased, and skip the older machines entirely? In my dream world, I also imagine a space with 5 or so machines that are for sale. So someone wants to sell their machine, they drop it off at the arcade. You service it up if needed, put it on the floor, it's available for play, keep all coin drops as your commission. If it doesn't sell inside a month, you have the option of telling the seller to come and pick it up, or maybe it's earning well and not costing you space, so you keep it longer. Does that scenario have any basis in reality? What kind of hours would a pinball arcade be expected to keep? Noon to 10? 3 to midnight? Would it make sense to only be open Wed-Sun, just to keep the employee number to a minimum? Would you do actual coin drops, with all these new tables costing $1 a game, $2 for 3 or would you charge an entry fee and have everything on free play? What would that fee even be? I'm guessing a lot of that would also depend on location, whether you're next to a laundromat or in a strip mall with foot traffic, or are a stand-alone destination. So many things to consider that spoil the fun of daydreaming! But I really do wonder, what would the initial startup loan need to be for facilities and equipment, what would you as an owner expect to take home in pay per month, and how long would it take to pay off that initial loan and essentially run in the black? More to the point, is it still pointless to open an arcade in this day and age? [/QUOTE]
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