What's New @ Clubspeed

As fun as GoKart races at the FEC facilities we support are, we find that there’s nothing like hanging out with your friends and competing on Mario Kart. At Clubspeed, we’re big fans of how the gamification of the racing and how the different power ups can make every race feel exciting, whether you’re doing the Mushroom Cup for the first time or the 100th time. 

As thrilling as it was watching the Monaco Grand Prix this past weekend, at Clubspeed we are always even more excited to see how racers and spectators alike experience the unforgettable track. Working with racing FEC’s all over the world, we love watching all of the Formula 1 events not only for the races, but for inspiration for making GoKart facilities just as unforgettable. 

From inventory to garage management, to booking to going over analytics and reports— FEC business owners have to juggle a lot when it comes to maintenance. Between managing all that maintenance and actually running the day-to-day operations, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. 

Does your family entertainment center use a rewards or membership program? At Clubspeed, we’re a big fan of Rewards programs as a way to not only reward your loyal customer base, but grow your FEC even further. 

For FEC’s all around the world, especially in the wake of COVID-19 and many facilities having to close their doors temporarily, digital marketing is more important than ever. At Clubspeed, we consider automated marketing to be one of the most essential tools in any business’s marketing toolbox. Having specific campaigns that continually communicate and engage with your patrons allows you to nurture all of the possible leads, while giving you time to focus on the day-to-day running of your facility. 

With unforgettable races all year round, including the upcoming Grand Prix in Monaco, at Clubspeed we’re big fans of Formula 1, both on the track and off. Beyond showcasing exciting races, Formula 1 also sells several packages under F1 Experiences, with Official F1 Ticket Packages to Formula 1 races worldwide. From packages that include meet-and-greets and exclusive hospitality, to offering the best possible seats at each of the racing events— F1 Experiences absolutely serves inspiration to us as we work with GoKart FEC’s all around the world. 

Business owners of Arcade FEC’s are well aware that there are so many ways to play classic games. From the “cheats” unlocked in games over the years to the ever expanding roster of new arcade experiences— there’s still nothing like the thrill of beating your favorite boss. That’s why we’re such a fan of Games Done Quick (GDQ), which is a series of charity video game marathons, featuring high-level gameplay by speedrunners raising money for charity. From harnessing well-known “cheats” to finding new ways to break whatever game they’re playing— watching the weeklong event truly harnesses the joy of seeing so many ways to play. 

One of the best parts of running golf FEC’s is being able to offer golf aficionados at all levels of experience the thrill of competition every time they play. From managing tee sheets to being able to offer one-of-a-kind events, at Clubspeed, we work with golfing facilities all around the world to build unforgettable gaming experiences. As big fans of the sport, we’re as excited as our FEC clients watching the Masters tournament, not only the matches, but in following the fantasy virtual space as well.  As a part of this past Masters tournament, Masters released Masters Fantasy, much like fantasy football, which was a free-to-play virtual experience that allowed users to casually compete against friends, family, and the world to make a winning Masters roster. Users earned and lost points based on how well their chosen players performed, with some of the top players of this virtual experience winning exclusive, branded prizes. 

Now more than ever before, people are ordering ahead grocery and meals at unprecedented levels. Even as more people get vaccinated and COVID-19 restrictions lessen, people will likely still gravitate towards the convenience of ordering all manner of things online, including food and beverage pickup. In Shopify’s study on some of the new trends in 2020, 52% of buyers reported that they’ve shifted more of their spending online during the pandemic. Part of that increase has been in online pickup for takeout or delivery, which is likely to continue. According to a study conducted by US Foods, the average person uses 2 delivery apps and uses them 3x a month, spending an average of $8.50. For vendors all around the country, whether a standalone restaurant or part of a Family Entertainment Center, those online orders add up. As more FEC’s open back up, it’s a good idea to consider adding the ability to order ahead food on the website or in the app to take advantage of the trend. 

Every FEC is unique, so the way different businesses approach payment and POS can depend on your business's unique needs. From tabletop to portable, to mobile and online ordering— people are used to booking and ordering products in different ways. As Pew Research reports, Americans were already spending upwards of $350 billion annually online, using online booking and services only increased in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, in Shopify’s study on some of the new trends in 2020, 52% of buyers reported that they’ve shifted more of their spending online during the pandemic. As restrictions lessen and more people start seeking out entertainment venues again, people will likely expect to be able to purchase with just as much ease as they were while sheltering in place.