How to Plan Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Promotions

The holiday season isn’t just about festive lights and peppermint mochas, it’s one of the biggest opportunities of the year to boost sales and bookings at your Family Entertainment Center.

With a smart plan for Black Friday deals and Small Business Saturday promotions, you can attract guests, increase revenue, and fill your event calendar before the year ends. 

How to Plan Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Promotions

Here’s how to create promotions that not only capture holiday spending but also create return visitors and brand awareness for your Family Entertainment Center.

1. Create Irresistible Black Friday Deals That Get Guests Talking

Your guests are already in a buying mindset during Thanksgiving weekend, so make it easy for them to choose you over the big-box stores. Try limited-time deals like: 

• BOGO Passes: Buy one play pass, get one free. 

• Limited-Time Party Package: Create a special holiday-themed or Black Friday-exclusive party package that’s more affordable or packed with added value like bonus arcade credits, or a free upgrade.

• Arcade Card Bonuses: Spend $25, get an extra $10 bonus credit. 

• Season Passes or Memberships: Add extra months or free perks for early renewals. 

The key is to make your offer too good to ignore but easy to redeem. Use your online booking system to streamline the process and capture all those last-minute buyers. 

2. Use Strategic Marketing to Build Momentum Early

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving week to promote your sale! A successful marketing plan for Black Friday starts with teasing your offers at least two weeks in advance. 

• Email Teasers: Send “Something Big is Coming…” announcements to your email list. 

• Social Media Countdown: Create daily countdown posts with sneak peeks of your upcoming Black Friday deals.
   
• Exclusive Pre-Sale Access: Reward your most loyal members or email subscribers with early-bird access. 

If you use Party Center Software’s Marketing Automation tools, you can easily schedule these campaigns to build hype while you focus on daily operations. 

3. Bundle Experiences for Even Bigger Wins

Bundled offers are a simple way to boost average order value while giving guests more reasons to visit. For example: 

• “Play All Day” Packages: Combine attractions like bowling, mini golf, and arcade credits at a unbeatable price. 

• Party + Pass Combos: Book a birthday party and receive passes for a future visit. 

• Food & Fun Offers: Pair pizza, drinks, and attractions for one family-friendly price. 

Bundles feel like a deal for the customer, but they also help your family entertainment center fill more seats, extend guest visits, and increase per-visit spending. 

4. Celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Local Twist 

Small Business Saturday is all about community and family entertainment centers are community hubs! Celebrate by: 

• Partnering with nearby restaurants, toy stores, or local coffee shops for a joint giveaway. 

• Hosting a “Shop Local” event with special deals or family activities. 

• Encouraging guests to post photos and tag your location to boost organic reach. 

When your community sees you supporting other local businesses, it builds trust and positions your family entertainment center as a key player in the local holiday scene. 

5. Promote Gift Cards as the Ultimate Holiday Win 

Gift cards are one of the most powerful Black Friday deals for any family entertainment center, they’re convenient, profitable, and perfect for last-minute shoppers. 

Consider these ideas: 

• Bonus Gift Card Offers: Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card free. 

• Digital Gift Cards: Make it easy for guests to send instant e-gift cards. 

• Branded Gift Cards: Add your logo and fun design elements to make them share-worthy. 

With PC Pay Gift Cards from Party Center Software, you can easily sell and redeem branded cards both online and in-store—helping you capture more revenue all season long. 

Make This Holiday Season Your Most Profitable Yet

By planning your Black Friday deals and Small Business Saturday promotions in advance, you’re setting your Family Entertainment Center up for success during the busiest time of year. 

From early-bird bundles to bonus gift cards, the goal is simple; make it fun, make it easy, and make it valuable for your guests. With a strong marketing plan and tools like Party Center Software, you can turn one weekend of sales into a full season of smiles, bookings, and repeat visits.