Vol. VI, No. 5, October/November 2006
Main Event Entertainment to open in Lubbock, Texas
Operators of six family entertainment centers located in major Texas cities are apparently experimenting with expansion into middle-sized markets. The Main Event Entertainment has plans to build in Lubbock, Texas, and the smaller facility could become prototype. Hey, it worked for Applebee's!
Main Event Entertainment, operator of six family entertainment centers in Texas, has obtained permits to develop a new center in Lubbock, Texas, a community of 240,000. The existing six Main Event centers are all located in major cities in Texas — Dallas, Houston, Austin and Fort Worth — and are 60,000 to 75,000 square feet in size. The centers feature bowling, billiards, laser tag, over 100 video and redemption games, darts, shuffleboard, two full-service bars, a café featuring Noble Roman's Pizza and private meeting and party rooms. The Austin center includes an 8,500-square-foot rock-climbing area.
The Lubbock, Texas, facility will be a test for Main Event, due to the smaller size of the market. It is anticipated that the Lubbock center will be smaller in size than the existing facilities as a new prototype designed for middle markets.
Main Event Entertainment was acquired in September by Macquarie Leisure Trust Group of Australia for $45 million plus up to $6 million in earn-out fees based on 2007 profits. Macquarie owns and operates 49 bowling centers, six marinas, and an outdoor amusement and waterpark in Australia.
