Opening A Family Entertainment Center? Here Are 3 Things To Consider

Opening a Family Entertainment Center in 2026 is an exciting opportunity, but it’s also more complex than ever. Today’s families expect online booking, modern attractions, seamless check-ins, and memorable experiences that feel worth every dollar. 

Opening A Family Entertainment Center? Here Are 3 Things To Consider

If you’re researching how to open an FEC, you’re likely balancing big dreams with big decisions: location, attractions, staffing, pricing, and technology. The good news? With the right foundation, you can avoid costly missteps and set your business up for long-term success. 

The Opportunity (and Reality) of Opening an FEC in 2026 

Below, we’re breaking down three critical considerations every new owner should prioritize when opening a family entertainment center in today’s competitive landscape. 

1. Build Your Community Before You Open Your Doors

One of the biggest mistakes new owners make when opening a Family Entertainment Center is waiting too long to connect with their local market. 

In 2026, successful FECs don’t rely solely on grand openings or paid ads; they build relationships early and often. 

Focus on the Three Core Booking Segments 

Most FEC revenue comes from repeatable group bookings. Start nurturing these audiences before launch: 

Birthday Parties

• Connect with school administrators and PTO groups 
• Offer field trip previews or educator-only open houses
• Provide simple online party booking to remove friction for parents 

Corporate & Team Events 

• Join your local Chamber of Commerce 
• Offer turnkey team-building packages with food and activities 
• Promote weekday availability to maximize off-peak revenue 

Youth Groups & Organizations 

• Meet with youth leaders, coaches, and program directors 
• Ask what they need from a venue and adapt accordingly 
• Streamline group bookings with online forms and digital waivers 

FECs using PCS online booking and waivers convert more inquiries into confirmed events without back-and-forth emails. 

Community trust isn’t built overnight, but it pays dividends when opening a family entertainment center in a crowded market. 

2. Food Isn’t an Add-On. It’s a Revenue Driver

When owners research how to open an FEC, food service often becomes an afterthought. That’s a mistake. 

The longer guests stay, the more they spend, and food plays a major role in dwell time and overall guest satisfaction. 

Smart Food Strategies for New FECs 

You don’t need a full-service kitchen to drive revenue. Consider scalable options like: 

• Limited menus (pizza, snacks, drinks) 
• Rotating food trucks for special events 
• Party add-ons like pre-ordered food bundles 
• Upsells at checkout during party booking

In 2026, guests expect convenience. Integrating food into your online booking and POS system helps you:

• Speed up checkout and reduce lines during peak hours 
• Bundle food and drink add-ons directly into party bookings 
• Increase per-guest spend with easy, upsell-friendly ordering

When food and party add-ons are baked into online booking, FECs see higher average order values with less staff involvement. 

If you’re opening a Family Entertainment Center, food should support, not complicate your operations.

3. Don’t “Tough It Out” With Outdated Technology

If there’s one area you should never cut corners when learning how to open an FEC, it’s technology. 

Modern guests expect: 

• Online booking anytime, anywhere 
• Digital waivers on their phones 
• Fast, flexible payments 
• Clear communication before they arrive 

Yet many new FECs still rely on: 

• Phone-only bookings 
• Paper waivers 
• Disconnected POS systems 
• Manual scheduling 

The Cost of Outdated Systems 

Without the right tech stack: 

• Staff spend more time answering phones 
• Guests abandon bookings due to friction 
• Reporting and forecasting become guesswork 

A unified platform like Party Center Software helps new operators manage: 

• Online bookings & party packages 
• POS & payment processing 
• Digital waivers & check-ins 
• Automated emails and reminders 

The smoother your tech experience, the more professional, and trustworthy your FEC feels to guests. 

When opening a family entertainment center, technology isn’t an expense, it’s an investment in scalability.