When we think about a bowling alley, elegance, leisure, and athletics come to mind. But have you ever thought about why a bowling alley has an allure, a charm, a pull to it? It’s because it’s a blend of fun, games, elegant decor, and functionality.
Right in the middle of this lies the question, “How much does a bowling alley cost?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it involves so many unnoticed things that it needs to be dug deeper.
This article will cover all costs related to owning a bowling alley, breaking them down for you to understand in much simpler terms.
How Much Does A Bowling Alley Cost?
A Bowling Alley in America can cost anywhere between 120,000$ to 500,000$. This cost is also affected by the location ( as rental costs of purchasing cost of a building can vary), personal preferences, quality of equipment, the scale of the business, and other amenities that you would want to include in your Bowling Alley.
Major Costs in Building a Bowling Alley
We are sure you are waiting for us to tell you how much a bowling alley would cost. However, we cannot give you the exact price for it. It largely depends on a few factors.
For example, if you want to rent out or purchase a building or a piece of land, you need construction costs added. If you are purchasing the building, then you need to include the renovation costs as well.
In all the cases above, the basic factor costs remain the same. This includes purchasing the equipment and installing the lanes, the whole back-end mechanism, the infamous digital scoreboard, and its scoring software.
Starting, Licensing, and Building Costs
Like every other thing that is commercially based, your bowling alley also comes with costs that revolve around legalities.
Necessary things require licenses and permits that need to be obtained long before you think of purchasing a building. Depending on the location, these costs can vary from $5,000 per year to $10,000.
Among the legal documents we need to secure are the following:
- Building License:
This is the basic license needed to operate your business, it legally allows you to run a business smoothly within an area. So this is one of the first things you definitely need to secure.
- Building Permits:
This includes approval for you to construct and modify the existing structure. So you need to meet the regulations set by the local government.
- Occupancy Permit:
This basically means your building is safe to be used by all standards and codes.
- Fire Department Permit:
According to the size and the number of people the bowling alley can hold, the local fire department inspects and approves your business for fire safety standards. Would you feel safe entering an establishment that does not have this permit at all? I don’t think so!
- Health Department Permit:
If your business meets the health and safety standards, this permit will be issued to you so you can sell and serve snacks and beverages. It’s a neat permit since bowlers easily get hungry since bowling can really work up your appetite!
- Liquor License:
This permit allows you to sell and serve liquor on your premises. When a group bowls, you’re bound to have at least two people in there who would want to order booze. These people would also encourage others to drink, so selling liquor would help your alley’s profit!
- Entertainment License:
This license is required in some areas where you will be entertaining large audiences.
- Sales Tax Permit:
A sales tax permit allows you to collect tax on every purchase from your customers in case of selling something, including bowling equipment, food, and beverages.
- Music Licence:
To play songs legally, you should purchase the rights from music rights organizations. We believe this is a handy document because what is a bowling alley without music? We know that the sound of the bowling ball hitting the pins is music to a bowler’s ears, but playing actual songs in the background could help players get pumped up!
- Special Operations Permit:
In case of special events like movie nights or parties, some areas require this permit, so it wouldn’t hurt to check with your local government if you need to apply for one.
- Workers Compensation:
This might not be a permit per se, but it does fall under the State’s Workers’ Compensation laws, which you must adhere to. Remember, how you treat your workers will create a domino effect. A happy staff leads to happy customers.
Location or Demographics
Now, this part of the cost analysis of a bowling alley matters the most. Location is the backbone of any business. The right location can do wonders for you. Here are how location and demographics affect the costs of building a bowling alley.
Approximate Property Requirements
A small bowling alley with hardly 15 people to fit will be an exceptionally hard business to run. But if you manage one of a decent scale that can occupy the space of about 20,000–100,000 sq. ft, then you are in for a treat.
An area of this size will have lanes, seating areas, counters, and other amenities that will make your bowling alley shine and stand out.
Approximate Alley Building Dimensions
The average size of a bowling lane is about 42 ft long and 5.5 ft wide. This also depends on the other amenities included, allowing you to stretch your lane to 15 feet wide. So it’s all a matter of how you use up your space.
The dimensions change for a bigger setup where you can house more than 30 lanes and the foundational cost increases. So, it all depends on how big of a setup you are looking at.
Number of Bowling Lanes
How many lanes should you be going for? Well, commercially, the average number is anywhere between 12–30. But depending on your mind, you can increase this number for maximum revenue. However, keep in mind that the number of lanes also affects the maintenance and repair costs.
Lane Design
The design cost depends on the material you want for your lanes. The wooden lane is a classic, but it costs more.
A more functional, long-lasting option would be to have synthetic lanes with patterns that add to the decor of the alley. But this, again, depends on the kind of investment you are looking at.
Cheaper and durable options are always available. But do note that the entire aesthetics of the alley depends on your lanes as well.
Necessary Equipment to Open a Bowling Alley
A bowling alley is not just pins and bowling balls. It also includes the mechanics of setting the pins with pinsetters, shoes, scoring systems, bowls of different sizes, general maintenance, and spare parts.
That’s a lot of things to consider, right? But this simply means that when investing, a thorough roundup of all the equipment, gadgets, and machinery needs to be documented to not miss any and to ensure you capture the fun vibe that bowling alleys are expected to have.
Staff
The staff plays a key role in any successful business. In the entertainment world, they are the ones that make or break your daily returns or profits.
Do not underestimate the influence that human resources have on your business. Hiring the right staff and giving them the right training, along with making sure that they are happy to do their job and are well taken care of, go a long way.
The staff costs can vary depending on the experience they have had in customer service. Your time and money are utilized to hire the right kind of people. It might seem like a long process, but trust us, not skimping on your staff is worth your business’ longevity.
Other Costs
This is where it gets tricky. These other costs include maintenance charges, monthly utility bills, marketing initiatives, and repair costs.
Depending on the location, air conditioning is another added expense to the list.
The simple solution to the added costs is thoroughly checking during your initial investment analysis. This gives you an idea of what to expect and how much to expand on your initial investment.
You wouldn’t want to be caught off-guard by important expenses along the way while you are still starting off, would you?
Is Bowling Alley a Good Investment?
Yes, it definitely is a good investment. While one can worry initially about the building, permits, licenses, equipment, and other costs, the return is steady.
Once the place becomes a hit, the revenue balances out the initial cost quicker than ever, leading to profits.
It’s great to know that bowling alleys attract young crowds and families that need a safe, friendly space for everyone to enjoy.
How Do You Run a Successful Bowling Alley?
For a bowling alley to run successfully, you must focus on the location and marketing.
If the location is prime, then marketing costs would be lowered as the right kind of audience will be frequenting your bowling alley. Your regulars would help keep your business stable.
So, after picking the right location, ensure you also do your best to deliver customer satisfaction to develop customer loyalty.
Do not be afraid to explore out-of-the-box ideas and implement technology and other amenities as you grow. Remember, it’s the initial popularity that makes the difference.
Once you understand the market, the competition around you, and the different things you can offer, you will realize how your bowling alley can be more successful than other entertainment places.
FAQ’s
Can I run an independent bowling alley out of my house?
Of course, you can. But just like a commercial setup, it will require space, permits, investment, and local government clearances.
Usually, the house can fit a maximum of two lanes, which means if you need a private setup, the business model would be different from the one used in a commercial setup.
Is the bowling industry profitable enough for me to open a commercial alley?
Yes, it is most definitely profitable. You must focus on the right strategy to begin the entire venture. Owning a bowling alley can become a reality once you have the entire plan or strategy.
Remember, location is key to how profitable your commercial bowling alley can be. Finding the right location means scouting and understanding the potential of a location.
How much does it cost to build a duckpin bowling or mini-bowling alley?
The cost can start from $50 and go up. Again, it varies depending on the idea you have in mind.
Multiple mini-bowling or duckpin bowling setups mean you’ll have to spend more. While the whole cost may still be relatively cheaper, it also requires a strategy to execute the entire idea.
Conclusion
How much does a bowling alley cost? The answer is simple and exciting. Your dream of owning one can become a reality by developing a strategy to approach the business.
When thoroughly examined, your initial investment, location, and permits, all these initial phases can give you a place that can soon become the most sought-after entertainment or hangout spot in a few months.