What's New @ Clubspeed

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. 

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. 

Last week Clubspeed exhibited at the International Kart Association (IKA) annual expo in Offenbach, Germany. Thousands of attendees and exhibitors from around the world gathered for the 27^th annual event which has grown from a local exhibition to one of the largest karting events worldwide. Attendees had the opportunity to see the latest in kart technology, racing equipment, customer engagement and other track innovations expected in the coming year.

Family entertainment centers (FECs) are on the rise and whether you offer a single activity or you are already offering multiple activities, you’re likely feeling the demand to offer your guests more. Maximizing revenue per square foot is key to growing your business and attracting a loyal customer base. Here are a few tips on how to expand your family entertainment center. 

When it comes to business, this quote could not apply more. While a good experience is always nice, it’s the bad experiences that tend to leave a lasting impression. If we go to a restaurant and we’re seated at a dirty table where our waiter rarely makes an appearance followed by mediocre food, we’ve experienced the trifecta of a bad dining experience that makes us want to demand a manager or start typing our yelp review on the spot. Forget about returning. And while we’re at it, we’ll tell everyone we know that will listen. Negative experiences are powerful and they stick with us, which is why every interaction and every opportunity to make a good first impression should be the goal of your family entertainment center (FEC). You’ll lose repeat customers faster than you can type your apology letter. 

Customers who use gift cards tend to spend more.

Unhappy with your current software? Afraid that changing to a new provider will be risky and time consuming? A lot of karting tracks, trampoline parks and other activity centers feel stuck with their existing software, paying too much money for a system that doesn’t deliver the features they need. You also might be dealing with a lengthy list of vendors taking care of only one aspect of your business and you’re realizing that you can make your job easier and save money by consolidating software vendors. While you may be aware that your current provider(s) is not a good fit, it can be an overwhelming process to convert and you are afraid to make the switch - so much so you become stagnant and avoid change altogether. This is arguably the most harmful approach of all and results in lost revenue, inefficiencies and an apathetic team that isn’t excited about being there. It’s time to embrace change and give it a hug because it can transform your business. Here are 4 tips for switching software providers.

Our team is thrilled about the multitude of positive changes we've experienced this year including; investing in advanced features, adding more and more customers and expanding into a variety of family entertainment centers (FEC). While our name is well-known as the first to develop software serving the FEC market, we are excited to reintroduce Clubspeed to you, how the company has evolved and what's in store to help our customers grow their business now and in the future. 

Utilizing email automation to maintain your existing customer base and grow your business seems simple but there are several things to keep in mind to ensure your communication is as effective as possible. First, let’s consider all of the information you can easily gather from your customer during their initial visit. Whether you run a karting facility, trampoline park or other family entertainment center (FEC), you are able to collect some basic information about your guests when they sign waivers. This data is 'gold' to providing your business with the foundation for strong email marketing campaigns. Let's take a look at the top mistakes to avoid when creating your marketing emails so you can maximize results.