What's New @ Clubspeed

Three years ago, Forbes called it a “hot trend.” Now, in 2021, it’s an explosive, industry-dominating force, capturing imaginations and elevating parties across all of North America. Half a dozen franchises are busily selling licenses, snapping up old warehouses to retrofit into cozy bars, and hosting increasingly competitive leagues under the auspices of several international sports organizations. 

As you prepare your FEC for a busy holiday season, you should always be looking for ways to boost the additional revenue that is coming your way.

If you are an owner or operator of an FEC then you are already aware of the adjustments you’ll need to take when there is a spike in business. Clubspeed is here to give you a few great tips that will help not only boost holiday revenue but also prepare you for the future. Whatever your goals are, we’ll be right here to lead you to success.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Now more than ever, Family Entertainment Centers are utilizing RFID wristbands not only as “tickets” into the park, but as a way to pay and experience your park in new and exciting ways. From using the bracelets for payments and as tickets to using them to send promotional photos and leaderboards from all the events at the facility, to even tracking the flow of guests in the park— opting into this technology is bringing the FEC experience to the next level.