How Chuck E. Cheese is run
The brand says it is only franchising outside the United States and Canada. (Chuck E. Cheese international franchising)
Outside the US
It lists open markets across Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, and asks for at least $800,000 in liquid assets for a development. (Chuck E. Cheese international franchising)
Franchises like Chuck E. Cheese
If you want to own a family entertainment business, these franchise brands sell the closest thing to Chuck E. Cheese, largest first.
| Brand | Cost to open | Fee | Royalty | Locations | Sales a location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sky ZoneFee $75K · Royalty 6% · Sales $2.26M a location | $3.25M–$6.4M | $75K | 6% | 245+83 in 3 yrs | $2.26M |
| Urban Air Adventure ParkFee $100K · Royalty 7% · Sales $3.09M a location | $2.85M–$5.44M | $100K | 7% | 206+40 in 3 yrs | $3.09M |
| We Rock the SpectrumFee $65K · Royalty 5% of gross revenue | $179K–$388K | $65K | 5% of gross revenue | 118+61 in 3 yrs | – |
| Altitude Trampoline ParkFee $65K · Royalty 6% · Sales $2.05M a location | $2.1M–$3.48M | $65K | 6% | 81+2 in 3 yrs | $2.05M |
| Play Street MuseumFee $40K · Royalty 6% · Sales $407K a location | $483K–$760K | $40K | 6% | 30+16 in 3 yrs | $407K |
| Launch Trampoline ParkFee $75K · Royalty 6% · Sales $2.08M a location | $3.14M–$6.23M | $75K | 6% | 29+4 in 3 yrs | $2.08M |
| FunBoxFee $75K · Royalty 8% | $647K–$855K | $75K | 8% | 28+26 in 3 yrs | – |
Locations are US locations, franchised and company-owned, at the end of the latest year filed. Sales are yearly, before costs, where the brand publishes them.
Sky Zone is the largest, with 245 US locations, and We Rock the Spectrum costs least to open, from $178,525. Sky Zone added the most locations, +83 over 3 years. Of the brands that publish sales, Urban Air Adventure Park reports the most per location, $3.09M a year. The typical entertainment franchise starts at $286K to open; see where the money goes.
Sources
Questions
Which of these family entertainment franchises loses the fewest owners?
Sky Zone. About 1.4% of its franchised locations a year closed, were terminated or weren't renewed over the years its latest filing covers, against 4.3% a year at Launch Trampoline Park. Buy-backs by the franchisor and sales to new owners don't count as exits. Failure rates by brand