New family entertainment venue to replace DSW in Denver suburb

A husband-and-wife duo are opening a new family entertainment facility in Broomfield.

Brent and Kathleen Malocsay have signed a lease at 595 Flatiron Blvd. in Broomfield to open a new Launch Entertainment venue, complete with indoor trampolines, arcade games, bowling, a restaurant and more. The new owners are planning to open for business by the end of the year.

With backgrounds in finance and construction, the Malocsays had been searching for a new business opportunity after successfully operating vacation rentals in Orlando, Florida. The couple came across Launch, a family entertainment franchise that opened its first location in Rhode Island in 2012.

“[We] finally came across a concept that we like and feel like it’s gonna be profitable and enjoyable for us to do,” Brent said.

The Malocsays selected the location in Broomfield for its proximity to their home and their target demographic of families and young adults.

“It has a good shopping center next to it, obviously, with the [FlatIron Crossing] mall there. There’s a lot of up-and-coming development … there’s just a lot of family-oriented stuff in the area already,” Brent said.

The new facility is 35,000 square feet, and is currently occupied by Designer Shoe Warehouse, which will move to the mall next door. Launch gets possession of the building in September.

In addition to eight bowling lanes, trampolines and 20 arcade games, Launch will have four lanes of ax throwing, a basketball court, a virtual reality laser tag game, a two-story ropes course, an obstacle course and a rock climbing wall.

It will also have a bar and restaurant and guests can host birthday parties or other events at the new venue.

While the Malocsays considered other franchise opportunities — including other restaurants and indoor trampoline park franchises — they ultimately picked Launch for its variety of attractions, and the flexibility that Launch gives its franchisees.

Launch’s franchise fees are $75,000, plus 6% in monthly royalty fees. Rent is $46,000 per month at the facility, according to Brent.

The new Launch facility will employ approximately 30 people.

In the next two to five years, the Malocsays plan to open a second Launch entertainment facility and are considering the Greeley, Loveland or Centennial areas.

“We’re just really hoping that bringing this to Broomfield is really going to be a spot where the community can come together,” Kathleen said.

In addition to Launch, families and adventure seekers in the Denver metro area are getting a venue called the American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park in Denver’s Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood. Another couple opened a trampoline franchise in a former department store in Centennial earlier this year.

Launch to expand into Colorado

Launch Entertainment has signed a franchise agreement to bring a new venue to Denver, Colorado, US.

The new park will be owned and operated by local entrepreneurs Brent and Kathleen Malocsay, and situated in the Broomfield area of the city.

The new destination will be the first Launch park in Colorado and will feature indoor trampolines, bowling, arcades, a Krave restaurant, and more.

“As a business owner and mother, I recognised the lack of family entertainment options in the Denver region, so this is an exciting endeavour for Brent and me,” said Kathleen.

“Indoor entertainment is an industry that continues to grow, and we are fortunate to be part of the craze. I am confident our local community will embrace this awesome space, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to open later this year.”

Launch Entertainment currently has 29 locations across 14 states in the US, with several new locations in development.

The Broomfield location is set to open in the latter half of 2024.

Ryan Debin: Multi-unit franchising magazine cover

Chief Excitement Officer

Operator aims to create “smile-watt hours”

“If you were to ask any one of our managers of all our businesses, ‘What’s our goal?,’ they all know,” Debin says. “I just do things like that because it’s easy to remember.”

Along with 11 My Gym centers and four Launch Entertainment Park locations open and one in development, Momentum’s fran- chise holdings include Abbott’s Frozen Cus- tard and Retro Fitness. Momentum also owns independent businesses, Wimbledon Tennis & Pickleball Club and Club Elevate as well as The Newport Venture, an investment firm that ac- quires and manages commercial mixed-use real estate throughout Newport, Rhode Island. In all, the 45-year-old entrepreneur oversees 22 businesses across New England and New York.

Debin’s operational approach takes a page from Life is Good, the inspirational retail brand founded to spread the power of op- timism. He says Momentum has an infor- mal—“soon to be formal”—partnership with the Life is Good Kids Foundation, which was founded by Debin’s close friend Steve Gross.

“I just love their message. So at Momentum, we have a mission stolen from Life is Good, called ‘creating atmospheres of optimism,’” Debin says. “That’s what we do with every busi- ness that we run. We create those atmospheres for people to reach their full potential.”

The approach is fueled by Debin’s obsession with “smile-watt hours.” Think kilowatts of good-vibes energy bottled up as smiles. There’s even a running meter, which at last count was ticking toward 500,000 on the path to hitting 1 million smile-watt hours by the end of 2024.

“Every single day, every time someone comes in for a birthday party at Launch, a birthday party at My Gym, or any interaction we have in the businesses that we operate, there is a chance for another smile-watt hour,” Debin explains. “It’s there as a reminder to my 500 staff that we have the opportunity to get hundreds if not thousands of those smile-watt hours every day.”

As a kid in Orange County, California, Debin grew up attending birthday parties at a Medieval-themed amusement park and dreamed of owning entertainment parks. His

RYAN DEBIN

Chief Excitement Officer

Company: Momentum Enterprises/ Launch Entertainment

No. of units: 11 My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, 4 (1 in development) Launch Entertainment Park, 1 Retro Fitness under development, 3 Abbott’s Frozen Custard

Age: 45
Family: Wife; 4 kids
Years in franchising: 13 Years in current position: 6

Ryan Debin is the “chief excitement officer” and driving force of the aptly named Mo- mentum Enterprises Inc., a Boston-based asset management company backed by Arena Capital Partners. It’s all about community-cen- tered concepts focused on family and fun.

The nation’s largest multi-unit franchisee of My Gym Children’s Fitness Center and Launch Entertainment Park, Debin says he likes to “do things differently than most people.”

For instance, Debin projects his multi-brand family entertainment portfolio revenue to hit $24,242,424.24 in 2024. To a numbers guy like Debin, a financial target that lines up with the operating year makes good sense.

childhood aspiration would get its start on the East Coast when he headed to Boston Col- lege to study finance. After graduation, he re- mained in Boston and built a high-flying career in banking until the economic fallout from the Great Recession prompted him to explore franchising. Initially, it was a “purposeful and meaningful side investment.” His first venture was the 2012 acquisition of the My Gym loca- tion where his son was a member.

“In 2017, the division I was a part of shut down, and it was scary for about one day,” Debin recalls. “I realized it was all going to be good because now I could do this hobby full- time. One of the first things I did was create Momentum Enterprises.”

With four My Gym centers already in the fold, Debin spent the next two years beefing up his central team and quickly making Mo- mentum’s presence known in franchising. He added Launch and earned back-to-back nods as My Gym’s worldwide Franchisee of the Year out of more than 600 locations in 38 countries.

Momentum’s penchant for prime opportu- nities continues. With ambitions to be a $100 million company in the next five years, Debin says he is open to other concepts as long as they fit “our bread and butter, which is family, fit- ness, and fun.”

“Realistically, where most of our growth would be is in the higher volume businesses,” Debin says. “We know it’s hard work to open up and run a business. And as we grow, we’re learning that if it’s hard work to open and op- erate a business, it might as well be financially rewarding. It’s easier to have more of an impact on larger deals.”

PERSONAL

First job: Working for my father in the HVAC business. My first job out of college was in commercial real estate brokerage.

Formative influences/events: My parents both owned small businesses. My father was an entrepreneur with an HVAC business, and my mother was a doctor with a private prac- tice. Just watching how they operated influ- enced me, giving me a love for business and inspiring me to want to do influential things. My dad greatly influenced me on the person- al development side—Stephen Covey, Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, Tony Robbins, and The E-Myth Revisited. He was big into all of that. It was an influence that my parents had on me that shaped a lot of my thinking.

Key accomplishments: Early in my career, at age 30, I was the youngest person ever to be promoted to senior executive in banking at Anglo Irish Bank. I was also the youngest member of the board of directors of Horizons for Homeless Children, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the lives of young homeless chil- dren and their families. Horizons has been a big part of my life. No one on the board knew anything about real estate, so they tapped me on my shoulder and said, “We need to figure something out, and you’re our guy.” I created a partnership with a private compa- ny. We bought land and got it subdivided, permitted, and built a new 120,000-square- foot headquarters for Horizons as part of a public-private partnership. It opened in 2021 and was a pretty spectacular accomplishment. In business, my greatest accomplishment has been forming Momentum Enterprises, which was the driving force that allowed us to build, open, and operate these businesses.

Biggest current challenge: Attracting and retaining resources, including labor and capital.

Next big goal: Successful opening of Launch North Attleborough.

First turning point in your career: Go- ing from brokerage to banking. I worked for a big commercial broker shop when I was 21 and didn’t know anything. I still didn’t know anything when I was 22 and joined Anglo Irish Bank, but it was brand new. They had just come here from Ireland, and I was the sec- ond American they hired. They knew nothing about Boston, the culture, or the customs. So in a way, it was very good because I got to teach them the culture of how things are done in America. It also allowed me to see deals and be part of underwriting deals that I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. We were the most dynam- ic company in that space. It was like “The Wolf of Wall Street.” If bankers could be rock stars, we were rock stars.

Best business decision: Forming Momen- tum Enterprises.

Hardest lesson learned: Taking on too much too fast.

Work week: 80 to 100 hours a week.

Exercise/workout: Lifting weights.

Best advice you ever got: To read the The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber.

What’s your passion in business? Obses- sive accumulation of smile-watt hours (units of measurement for good vibes).

How do you balance life and work? My kids and family are involved with my business, so it doesn’t feel like work.

Guilty pleasure: Fast cars. I like the adrena- line. It’s a passion. It’s fun. Our newest Launch location, which we’re building in North Attle- borough, Massachusetts, will be the first loca- tion to have the F1 simulators that professional drivers use.

Favorite book: Many favorites: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill; Robert Kiyosa- ki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad; The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey; and Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.

Favorite movie: “Braveheart.”

What do most people not know about you? I ran the Boston Marathon 20 years in a row. My last year was 2019. It wasn’t held in 2020 because of the pandemic, and that’s when I stopped. Twenty years was a nice round number.

Pet peeve: People parking in my parking spot. Making the same mistake twice.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Own entertainment parks. As kids, we would go to this King Arthur-themed park called Camelot in Anaheim, California, not far from Disneyland, where everybody wanted to go on their birthday. It had an arcade, mini golf, and a water park. I just loved it. And then I ended up doing this for my livelihood.

Last vacation: Europe.

Person you’d most like to have lunch with: Jessie Itzler.

MANAGEMENT

Business philosophy: To have high-quality people producing high-quality products in a high-quality environment.

Management method or style: Perfect blend of a resource and a coach to push people but not micromanage.

Greatest challenge: Consistently getting the most out of everyone.

How do others describe you? Passionate.

Have you ever been in a mentor-men- tee relationship? What did you learn? Yes. My mother and father would be my top two and probably had the strongest impact on me. I learned everything from demeanor and attitude to thought process and organization. If you ever met my mother and father, you’d know I’m the perfect blend. Also, Steve Gross, founder of the Life is Good Kids Foundation; Kate Barrand, president and CEO of Horizons for Homeless Children; and Jeff Feingold, the former head of the Fidelity Magellan Fund. I’m on the board of Hope and Comfort, a non- profit Feingold founded that supplies essential toiletries to those in need. These are some of the other people who have impacted my life.

One thing you’re looking to do better: A tighter focus on the details.

How you give your team room to innovate and experiment: Don’t micromanage, and empower people to do what they know is right.

How close are you to operations? Very close.

What are the two most important things you rely on from your franchisor? Lead- ership team and instincts.

What you need from vendors: Flexible financing terms.

Have you changed your marketing strat- egy in response to the economy? How? Not in response to the economy, but my strat- egy has changed over time because each year’s spend goes to different things.

How is social media affecting your busi- ness? Huge effect because it’s the audience I’m targeting that’s watching.

How do you hire and fire? We don’t fire. We only unhire those who don’t fit in our core values.

How do you train and retain? Through training and development and rewarding for positive performance.

How do you deal with problem employ- ees? Work with them to come around.

Fastest way into your doghouse: Don’t do what’s expected of you.

BOTTOM LINE

Annual revenue: More than $18 million.

2024 goals: $24,242,424.24.

Growth meter: How do you measure your growth? Measure on three-month, six- month, and 12-month revenue and same-store sales year over year.

Vision meter: Where do you want to be in five years? 10 years? In five years, I expect to be a $100 million revenue company and have broadened our reach beyond New England. In 10 years, the sky’s the limit.

Do you have brands in different seg- ments? Why/why not? Yes, My Gym Children’s Fitness, Club Elevate, Retro Fit- ness, Wimbledon Tennis & Pickleball Club, Newport Venture (Airbnb/hospitality), and Launch Entertainment.

How is the economy in your region(s) af- fecting you, your employees, your cus- tomers? The economy hasn’t had a significant impact on business. We’ve seen some slower volume but not a dramatic change.

Are you experiencing economic growth in your market? Yes.

How do changes in the economy affect the way you do business? There is more of a focus on value versus price.

How do you forecast for your business? Historical factors and the percentage of growth we’ve attained.

What are the best sources for capital ex- pansion? Alternative financing and private lending.

Experience with private equity, local banks, national banks, other institu- tions? Why/why not? Local banks have been good over the years, and we’ve had a good experience with private lenders.

What are you doing to take care of your employees? Compensate with raises and in- troduce Nectar, an employee rewards platform that provides incentives for a job well done. Points can be redeemed for gifts.

How are you handling rising employee costs (payroll, minimum wage, health- care, etc.)? The best we can. Pass more on to the consumer to maintain profitability.

What laws and regulations are affecting your business, and how are you dealing with them? Minimum wage laws and em- ployment laws affect us, but we deal with them as they come.

How do you reward/recognize top-per- forming employees? Incentive programs.

What kind of exit strategy do you have in place? Working to create a business that runs it- self and looking for others to partner with in the next three to five years as we continue to grow.

MarketWatch News –Launch Entertainment Reflects on a Year of Strategic Growth and Impact

Family Entertainment Concept Solidifies Position as Industry Leader, Sets Stage for Aggressive 2024 Growth in New Markets

WARWICK, R.I. /PRNewswire/ — Launch Entertainment (Launch), a leading indoor family entertainment franchise, has closed out 2023 with significant development deals, strategic additions to its executive bench, and notable milestones for another successful year ahead.

As a trailblazer on the East Coast and now an industry-wide leader, Launch Entertainment continuously expands its reach through innovative attractions and a strong market presence. In 2023, celebrating its 10th anniversary of franchising, Launch opened new locations in Dearborn, Michigan, and Jeffersonville, Ohio, strengthening its nationwide influence and reaffirming its commitment to delivering thrilling entertainment experiences for diverse audiences.

To support the brand’s plans for growing the franchise system, Launch has invested in expanding its leadership team with several key new hires throughout the year. In June, Craig Erlich was appointed as Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal moment to bolster the company’s strategic development. With an extensive background in various executive roles in the franchising industry, Craig’s experience aligns seamlessly with Launch’s vision for the future. Likewise, Yvette Martinez assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer for Launch Entertainment, boasting over 20 years of experience in the franchise industry and leading the charge for operational efficiencies.

“Launch has provided an exceptional entertainment experience for families with our latest park model, featuring a diverse array of attractions that delight guests of all ages and continues to be a multi-revenue investment for franchisees,” said Erlich. “As we reflect on the past year, we’re grateful for our dedicated operators and partners, whose commitment and passion for family entertainment have contributed to our sustained growth and positive trajectory of the brand. We’re looking forward to 2024 being another banner year for our company.”

This past year, Launch secured a total of six signed leases and 11 development agreements in Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, Arizona, Massachusetts, California, and Florida. In 2024, the brand has a keen eye on its growth in new and existing markets and is set to open new parks with experienced operators in the family entertainment industry. Equally important to growth in new units, Launch also had existing franchisees that have renewed their franchise agreements with planned remodel efforts to update brand aspects and experiences.

As the global family/indoor entertainment centers market size is projected to reach $40 billion by 2025, Launch Entertainment is zeroing in on the potential with its franchise initiative over the next several years.

“Launch’s trajectory is strong and is supported by existing and upcoming operators, offering diverse attractions for all, ensuring multiple revenue streams and sustained foot traffic,” said Jeff Todd, Senior Vice President of Development for Launch Entertainment. “Looking ahead to 2024, our goals for the upcoming year are to further expand our footprint in key markets, introduce innovative attractions, and enhance the overall guest experience. Launch Entertainment is ready for another year of growth, and we are eager to continue setting new milestones in the family entertainment space.”

The Launch Entertainment business model offers a scalable, multi-unit opportunity and creates a fun, dynamic, and competitive environment that drives growth and profitability for its franchise operators. Through its multiple revenue streams, the concept entices customers of all ages with a thrilling experience and a variety of attractions and amenities that keep guests coming back year-round and increase returns for franchisees.

Target markets for growth include new and existing markets around the Midwest, Northeast and Southwest, with a current emphasis on Georgia, Texas, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Connecticut, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, New Jersey, Kansas and Missouri. The brand is seeking franchise partnerships with investors wanting to diversify their portfolio through its multi-revenue stream business model. Potential franchisees are higher net-worth individuals, with $1M liquid and $2M net worth.

To learn more about the Launch Entertainment franchise opportunity, visit https://launchfamilyentertainment.com.

About Launch Entertainment

Launch Entertainment is the leader in the indoor family entertainment segment. Founded in 2012, the concept has evolved from a trampoline park and small arcade to the ultimate family destination: a full family entertainment center offering a variety of “Awesome” attractions, a premium bar, and restaurant. The brand currently has 28 locations across 14 states, with several new locations in development. Backed by an experienced leadership team and a private equity deal with Silver Oak Services Partners, Launch Entertainment has initiated a full-scale franchise development plan.

For more information about Launch Entertainment, visit https://launchtrampolinepark.com/. To learn more about its franchise opportunities, visit https://launchfamilyentertainment.com.

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Deciding what franchise you want to invest in is a significant, life-changing decision. A simple Google search will lead you to thousands of franchise opportunities, ranging across a variety of industries, from fast-casual restaurants to automotive repair, gyms, and more. 

When it comes to narrowing in on one industry, the family entertainment franchise industry is a rapidly expanding field, and seamlessly fits into many investors’ portfolios. Launch Entertainment has built a strong foundation for its entrepreneurs. Since the first Launch opened its doors in 2012, it has transformed from a trampoline park to a full-service entertainment center for the whole family. 

Let’s break down the top five reasons to join the family entertainment industry and franchise with Launch: 

 

1. Unique Attraction Mix

Projected $41 billion in annual sales by 2025, our unique mix of attraction variety sets us apart in the industry. From laser tag, bowling, dodgeball, rope courses, and more, Launch Entertainment offers a diversified attraction mix with activities for the whole family. Plus, our latest model enhances operations with our “Krave Restaurant”  and “Bar Hops” to add additional revenue opportunities.

 

 

2. In-House Manufacturing

At Launch, our in-house manufacturing allows for the flexibility of attractions to custom fit your space. Franchisees can work with the Launch design team to choose what attractions they want to incorporate into their park, while our in-house manufacturing keeps costs low and on schedule.

 

 

3. Semi-Absentee Model Conducive to Multi-Unit Operators

Operationally, our franchise is highly conducive for multi-unit operators. With the right team in place, we offer a semi-absentee management model, perfect for busy executives who do not have the time to run the day-to-day functions.

 

 

4. Corporate Support

The perk of franchising with an established concept like ours, is our operators get all the benefits of corporate support with proven systems in place. From site selection and construction to preparing for your grand opening, our team is there to support you every step of the way.

Unlike other concepts, our indoor family entertainment park is designed to attract customers year-round. Whether rain, snow, sleet, or shine, our concept operates  year-round with our awesome attractions and focus on the guest experience. 

 

 

5. Prime Markets Available

With ten years under our belt, we’re thrilled to expand our family entertainment park nationwide. Most recently, we celebrated our recognition once again by Franchise Times on the Top 500 List, which honors the top brands in the franchising industry. 

We’re expanding our presence in both new and existing markets across the country, leveraging our industry-leading and award-winning model to bring the Launch experience to every community.

 Learn more about franchising opportunities with Launch Entertainment.

The family entertainment sector of the franchise industry presents a unique opportunity for seasoned investors to turn their passion for active family fun into reliable recurring revenue. When entrepreneurs invest in the leading indoor family entertainment park, they are capitalizing on a world-class action park with a diversified attraction mix and semi-absentee model to reach untapped profit potential.

As the #1 market leader in the family entertainment space, we’re continuing to elevate our reputation with stable, recurring revenue. Let’s break down the benefits of diversifying with Launch:

Diversified Attraction Mix for Activities Year Round

 

The first step towards recurring revenue is providing services that are available year-round. Since each of our diversified attractions are indoors, families can enjoy every activity 365 days of the year.

Recently, we revolutionized our model with the rollout of Generation 3 parks. Expanding our initial park design, Gen 3 activates increased revenue potential with an expanded attraction mix, premium dining and broad market appeal. This new model can increase customer spend while at the same time keeping costs low through labor efficiencies.

Depending on their retail space, franchise owners can customize their activity offerings to best fit their target customer base. Our Gen 3 model features a full bar and Krave Kitchen to maximize ROI for children and adults of all ages. Backed by a strong franchise system and support, our in-house manufacturing lowers buildout costs and trims turnaround times for production. It’s one of the many ways we support our franchisees.

 

Semi-Absentee Model for Passive Income

 

With passive revenue potential, there’s no need to manage day-to-day operations. In fact, most Launch Entertainment franchise owners hire a general manager to lead the day-to-day operations and maintain an awesome culture for their employees. In addition, Launch Corporate provides world-class franchisee support including;

 

The sales ambassador and assistant manager assume prominent roles in the business, generating recurring business from children and adults in the community.

This opportunity pairs well for a variety of investors, especially those in the childhood education, hotel operation or real estate space who are looking to diversify their portfolio with a muti-revenue stream business model, without fully running the operations.

 

Untapped Profit Potential

 

You may be wondering, what is the profitability of a family entertainment park? Launch Entertainment franchisees reap the benefits of massive profit potential, with franchise locations bringing in an average $2,035,472 in total income.*

Our family fun franchise is home to an array of awesome attractions to keep families coming back year-round while offering franchisees multiple revenue streams to maximize unit profitability.

Ready to Launch your portfolio? Learn more about franchising opportunities with Launch Entertainment.

*According to the Item 19 of the 2022 FDD. Referring to franchised locations, average of 6 parks trailing 12 months