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If you don’t plan and track your bowling alley budget properly, you're setting yourself up for failure.
When we developed our strategy pack for bowling alley owners, we saw a lot of owners struggling with finances and planning.
They were disorganized, had no grasp of cash flow, and were drowning in financial troubles despite having substantial revenue.
Don’t let this be you—stand out and succeed.
We’ve created a small, free tool to help you get started: our Budget Tracker and Planner. Let’s turn your bowling alley's finances around and set you on the path to success!
Get the budget tracker tailored for bowling alleys
Most bowling alley owners don't know how to plan and track their budget. This spreadsheet will help you.
Example of a full budget for bowling alleys
Here is an example of a (very) detailed budget for a bowling alley, to give you some inspiration
1. Rent and Utilities
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | Lease for bowling alley space | $8,000 | $96,000 |
| Electricity | Power consumption for lanes, lighting, and arcade | $1,200 | $14,400 |
| Water | Water usage for restrooms and maintenance | $300 | $3,600 |
| Gas | Heating and hot water | $400 | $4,800 |
| Internet & Phone | Internet service and business phone | $200 | $2,400 |
| Waste Removal | Garbage and recycling services | $150 | $1,800 |
| Pest Control | Monthly pest control services | $75 | $900 |
| Insurance | Property and liability insurance | $600 | $7,200 |
2. Salaries & Wages
| Position | Number of Employees | Monthly Cost per Employee | Total Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Assistant Manager | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $36,000 |
| Lane Technicians | 2 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $60,000 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 3 | $2,000 | $6,000 | $72,000 |
| Snack Bar Attendants | 2 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $48,000 |
| Janitorial Staff | 2 | $1,800 | $3,600 | $43,200 |
3. Equipment & Maintenance
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Maintenance | Regular maintenance of bowling lanes | $1,000 | $12,000 |
| Pinsetter Maintenance | Upkeep of pinsetting machines | $800 | $9,600 |
| Arcade Machine Maintenance | Servicing arcade games | $500 | $6,000 |
| Cleaning Supplies | Detergents, sanitizers, etc. | $300 | $3,600 |
| Office Supplies | Stationery, pens, printer ink, etc. | $100 | $1,200 |
4. Marketing & Advertising
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Advertising | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc. | $400 | $4,800 |
| Social Media Management | Managing social media accounts | $600 | $7,200 |
| Print Advertising | Flyers, posters, newspaper ads | $250 | $3,000 |
| Website Maintenance | Hosting, domain, updates | $150 | $1,800 |
| Email Marketing | Email campaigns and newsletters | $200 | $2,400 |
| Promotional Events | Special events and promotions | $300 | $3,600 |
5. Miscellaneous Expenses
| Item | Description | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uniforms | Staff uniforms and name tags | $250 | $3,000 |
| Licenses & Permits | Business licenses, health permits, etc. | $150 | $1,800 |
| POS System | Point of Sale software and hardware | $200 | $2,400 |
| Contingency Fund | Emergency repairs and unexpected costs | $600 | $7,200 |
| Staff Training | Training programs and materials | $300 | $3,600 |
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What are the biggest expenses for a bowling alley?
Be careful with these pitfalls. Here are five major costs every bowling alley owner needs to consider, along with some tips on how to handle them wisely.
- Lane maintenance and equipmentThese can take a significant portion of your budget. You're dealing with specialized equipment that requires regular upkeep, and prices can vary based on quality and availability. To keep these costs in check, focus on routine maintenance, negotiate better prices with suppliers, and invest in durable equipment. Finally, it's easy to overspend by opting for high-end gear that doesn’t add enough value.
- The staff at your bowling alleyYour staff is your backbone, but paying for their wages, benefits, and training can be expensive. This cost is always high because you need a certain number of employees to provide good service and keep things running smoothly. You can optimize labor costs by scheduling efficiently, cross-training staff, and monitoring productivity. However, be careful not to underpay or overwork your staff, as this can lead to high turnover and poor service.
- Rent and utilities of your bowling alleyPrime locations come with high rent, but they can attract more customers. Utilities like electricity, gas, and water are essential but add up quickly. To optimize these costs, negotiate favorable lease terms and invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting. Overspending often happens when you choose a location that's too big or too fancy for your needs.
- MarketingYou need to get the word out about your bowling alley, but advertising can be pricey, whether it's online ads, social media campaigns, or traditional media. Optimize this expense by focusing on cost-effective methods like the ones we give in our pack. Overspending can happen if you invest in flashy campaigns without a clear return on investment.
- Entertainment and amenitiesThis includes everything from arcade games to seating areas and snack bars. These are expensive because quality amenities and regular updates are crucial for customer satisfaction. Optimize by investing in durable, energy-efficient equipment and maintaining it regularly to avoid costly breakdowns. You can overspend by going for the latest high-tech gadgets you don’t really need.
How to spend less with your bowling alley?
Here are practical tips to help you, as a bowling alley owner, optimize your budget and manage expenses more effectively.
| Expense | Tips to Optimize |
|---|---|
| Lane Maintenance | Schedule regular maintenance checks and invest in high-quality lane oil to extend the life of your lanes. |
| Labor Costs | Use scheduling software to optimize staff hours and reduce overtime, ensuring you have the right number of employees during peak and off-peak times. |
| Utilities | Install LED lighting and energy-efficient HVAC systems to reduce electricity and heating costs. |
| Marketing | Run social media contests for your bowling alley and collaborate with local influencers for free exposure. |
| Cleaning Supplies | Train staff on efficient use of cleaning supplies to reduce waste and maintain a clean environment. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Set up a maintenance log for regular checks and servicing of pinsetters, ball returns, and other equipment. |
| Rent/Mortgage | Negotiate lease terms during renewal or consider moving to a less expensive location if feasible. |
| Insurance | Regularly review insurance policies to ensure they meet current needs and compare rates annually. |
| Concessions | Partner with local vendors for cost-effective, high-quality snacks and beverages, and offer discounts for bulk purchases. |
| Bowling Shoes | Invest in durable, high-quality bowling shoes that can withstand frequent use and consider a shoe rental tracking system. |
| POS System | Choose a POS system that offers essential features with low transaction fees and integrates with other systems like booking and inventory management. |
| Staff Training | Conduct regular in-house training sessions and use free online resources to keep staff updated on best practices. |
| Waste Management | Implement a waste tracking system to minimize waste and recycle where possible. |
| Technology | Invest in multi-functional equipment and utilize management software for lane reservations and customer tracking. |
| Linen and Laundry | Partner with a cost-effective linen service for cleaning towels and consider reusable options where possible. |
| Scoreboards | Use digital scoreboards to reduce the need for paper and printing costs. |
| Licensing and Permits | Stay up-to-date with local regulations to avoid fines and costly renewals. |
| Transportation | Plan delivery routes for supplies to maximize efficiency and reduce fuel costs. |
| Office Supplies | Purchase supplies in bulk and go paperless where possible with digital systems for bookings and inventory. |
| Inventory Management | Use inventory management software to track stock levels and reduce spoilage of concessions and other items. |
| Pest Control | Schedule monthly pest control services and maintain cleanliness standards to prevent infestations. |
| Music and Entertainment | Use a streaming service for background music and host local musicians or DJs during special events. |
| Uniforms | Choose durable, easy-to-clean uniforms and offer staff a stipend for maintenance instead of using an external service. |
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Expenses that are just useless for a bowling alley
Yes, some expenses for your bowling alley are just unnecessary. They don't contribute to increasing revenue or improving the customer experience.
| Bowling Alley Expense | Reason It's Useless |
|---|---|
| Luxury Seating | High-end seating options don't necessarily attract more bowlers and can be a drain on the budget. |
| Premium Bowling Balls | Unless you cater to professional leagues, most customers are satisfied with standard bowling balls. |
| Excessive Snack Bar Menu | A large menu increases inventory costs and leads to more food waste. |
| Top-of-the-Line Pinsetters | High-end pinsetters are not always necessary and can be cost-prohibitive. |
| Paper Advertising | Traditional paper ads often have a lower return on investment. Don’t include them in the marketing strategy of your bowling alley. |
| Multiple Uniform Styles | Having various uniform styles increases costs without adding significant value to the customer experience. |
| Excessive Staff | Overstaffing leads to higher labor costs without necessarily improving service quality. |
| Premium Subscription Services | Expensive subscriptions for music or magazines often go unnoticed by customers. |
| Exclusive Snack Ingredients | Using rare ingredients can inflate costs and complicate supply chains. |
| Costly Furniture | High-end furniture is not always appreciated by customers and can be a significant expense. |
| Custom Printed Napkins | Personalized napkins are a minor detail that most customers overlook, and they can be expensive. |
| Unnecessary Software | Paying for software with features you don’t use is a waste of resources. |
| Premium Water Brands | Most customers are content with filtered tap water, making expensive bottled water unnecessary. |
| Extra Maintenance Vehicles | Maintaining a larger fleet than needed increases operational costs. |
| Excessive Membership Fees | Paying for multiple industry memberships often yields little benefit. |
| Overly Frequent Renovations | Constantly updating decor and layout can be costly and disrupt operations. |
| Expensive Lane Decorations | Elaborate lane decorations are often ignored by customers and add to the cost. |
| High-End Bowling Shoes | Luxury bowling shoes are prone to damage and expensive to replace, often going unnoticed by customers. |
| Excessive Staff Meetings | Too many meetings can reduce productivity and increase labor costs. |
| Expensive Menu Designs | Frequently redesigning snack bar menus is costly and often unnecessary. |
| Unused Promotional Materials | Ordering more promotional items than needed leads to waste and unnecessary expense. Get our marketing budget planner template. |
| Paid Directory Listings | Many free listing options are available, making paid listings often redundant. |
| High-End Catering Equipment | Specialized catering equipment is often unnecessary and adds to costs without a proportional benefit. |
Stop working with a tight budget for your bowling alley!
Managing a budget for a bowling alley when funds are tight can feel like a nightmare. It's like being in a lane where any unexpected expense can throw you into the gutter.
This constant pressure makes it nearly impossible to invest in growth projects, leaving you always chasing after expenses. It's a life filled with stress and sleepless nights.
Yes, you can continue down this path, scraping together pennies and barely making ends meet. But there's another part of the equation you might be overlooking. Instead of just trying to cut costs, you can focus on growing your revenue. More income means more breathing room and more money to spend.
And no, you don't necessarily have to spend money to grow. There are plenty of zero-cost initiatives and strategies that can help you increase your revenue by 10%, 20%, or more. We've detailed all of these strategies in our guides, after studying dozens of bowling alleys just like yours. Get them now!
Make your bowling alley more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best bowling alleys in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
