Industry Analysis & Industry Trends
The industry is in the process of switching lanes amid a period of long-term decline. Reduced disposable incomes during the recession further crippled bowling center operators and led many consumers to cut location-based entertainment like bowling out of their budgets. Revenue will continue to slide during the next five years, though at a slower rate as more firms diversify and bring in a wider range of customers. Firms that emphasize the social aspects of taking a trip to bowling centers with friends and family will have the most success combating the draw of digital and in-home entertainment... purchase to read more
Industry Report - Industry Investment Chapter
The Bowling Centers industry has a medium level of capital intensity. For every $1.00 spent on wages, operators typically spend $0.31 in capital investment. Start-up costs in the industry are fairly high: firms must buy lane equipment, ball return systems, scoring monitors and consoles, furniture and other depreciable assets needed to offer other forms of entertainment, like a game room. Capital intensity has risen during the past five years, from $0.24 spent in capital investment per dollar of labor in 2007. While there are fewer bowling centers now than in earlier years, establishments have become larger and offer different entertainment options, each of which require capital investment... purchase to read more