Husband-and-Wife Duo to Open Family Entertainment Center Franchise in Massachusetts

LEOMINSTER, Mass. – (June 7, 2022) – Launch Entertainment, a leading operator and franchisor of innovative, year-round family entertainment centers, continues to expand its footprint in Massachusetts. Launch franchisees, Mark and Christine Emma, are currently transitioning what once housed a Toys “R” Us into the sixth Launch Entertainment location in the state. The latest family entertainment center will be located at The Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster, Massachusetts.

The city of Leominster holds a special place in Mark’s heart — this is where he grew up! When Mark was younger, the city was alive with places to shop, eat, and play. Over the years, the Emmas saw the place they call home drastically changed. Businesses in the area dwindled away, either closing shop or relocating to larger cities. With slim to no options for their 12-year-old son and his friends to enjoy themselves as Mark did growing up, Mark and Christine decided it was time to make a difference and begin to revitalize the community and its businesses. They began researching business opportunities that would benefit the community and jumped at the chance to open their very own Launch Entertainment.

“We were introduced to the family entertainment center franchise when our son was seven,” said Christine. “We immediately fell in love with Launch Entertainment’s concept, leadership, and ability to evolve with the times. Our goal is to rekindle the city of Leominster and surrounding communities. It’s a community that’s been neglected for years. With Launch opening at The Mall at Whitney Field, we can provide a safe, fun, active, and inclusive environment for children, teens, parents, and grandparents to enjoy. We hope to drive significant foot traffic in the area and, in turn, help attract other businesses to invest or reinvest in our community.”

The Leominster location will include Launch’s signature trampolines, eight lanes of bowling, XP Arena, Omni Virtual Reality, ninja course, battle pit, rock wall, x-treme dodgeball, basketball dunk lanes, a full arcade, birthday party rooms, Krave restaurant and Bar Hops beverage service, and more.

The Emma family knows the value of a fun-filled experience with a great atmosphere to celebrate birthdays, family gatherings, church events, work outings, or just a date night that everyone in the surrounding community can enjoy. Mark and Christine are planning to offer bowling and dodgeball leagues for both children and adults in the city. They also plan to host special weekly events like Toddler Time, Teen Nights, V.I.P. Time, and 21+ Nights to create an inclusive atmosphere where all residents can find a sense of community.

“We started this journey with Launch Entertainment in 2018,” said Mark. “It’s been a long time coming, and we are beyond excited to open our doors. Our intention is to not only make an impact on our community and those we serve but also help Leominster thrive once again. Launch will provide an outlet to countless people and create memories that will last a lifetime. We are eager to welcome guests in the Fall. I know our son can’t wait.”

The Leominster family entertainment center, located at 118 Commercial Rd., is slated to open in late November, just in time for the holiday season.

“The opening of our sixth location in the state of Massachusetts is yet another indication that our ongoing expansion efforts are effective,” said Launch CEO Rob Arnold. “Mark and Christine have what it takes to not only become productive business owners but make a true impact in Leominster and the surrounding communities while doing so. This location will provide the entertainment the city of Leominster is yearning for and beyond. We look forward to the impact Launch will have within this community.”

Launch Entertainment currently has 28 locations operating in 13 states across the nation. The rapid expansion of the family entertainment franchise continues by the hour, with numerous other locations in various stages of development.

Visit www.launchtrampolinepark.com for more information.

For franchising information, visit https://launchfamilyentertainment.com/franchise

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ABOUT LAUNCH FRANCHISING, LLC

Founded in 2012 by entrepreneurs Rob and Erin Arnold, Launch Entertainment is an innovative leader in the family entertainment industry. What started as an indoor trampoline park for kids has evolved into a year-round, all-inclusive family entertainment center featuring an XP Arena, ninja courses, climbing walls, laser tag, battle pits, bowling, giant trampoline surfaces, and more. As an ideal space for kids and adults alike, Launch offers a safe and enjoyable environment for date nights, birthday parties, family events, corporate events, church outings, fundraisers, and other get-togethers. Currently, there are 28 parks open and operating in 13 states, with numerous others in development across the country.

How to Start a Laser Tag Business: Costs, Profitability, What to Expect

Starting an entertainment business can be quite the lucrative career. There are many activities to consider for family entertainment, but one that really jumps out is a laser tag business. Traditionally, it’s a family favorite. Stepping into the dark arena with glow in the dark obstacles while donning your light up vest and clutching your laser gun…it’s quite the experience, for any guest.

But, for most entertainment businesses, it’s not enough to just offer one experience, especially when there’s always space for more.

Below, we’ll detail why laser tag is better suited integrated along with a plethora of other exciting activities rather than investing in a standalone laser tag franchise.

Is a laser tag business profitable in today’s world?

Starting a laser tag business can be profitable, but there’s quite a laundry list of cons that accompany the task. For example, competition can be high when it comes to a laser tag business, so analyzing the market and finding the demand is a huge step.

There are plenty of areas to stumble during the process. From finding the right supplier to low margins, and everything in between. Going this alone can be quite a challenge.

It can also become quite costly fairly quickly. The overhead expenses and taxes alone could put you in the red before your grand opening.

What Equipment is Necessary to Start Your Own Laser Tag Business?

A laser tag facility requires a significant amount of square footage and equipment. Starting a laser tag business requires necessary equipment. An obstacle course adds an element of fun to the space. Of course, that includes décor. Many times, since laser tag is a game with darker lighting, most of the décor is glow in the dark, creating an exciting atmosphere.

Equipment is needed including laser tag guns and vests with operating software that responds to being hit. Management software and other miscellaneous items should be accounted for as well.

How much space do you need?

Typically, in a standalone facility it would need to be at least 5,000 to 6,000 square feet for a laser tag business.

Why is it better to include laser tag as an additional activity to a range of services?

Laser tag can be enjoyable for a variety of groups, but to really utilize the space to earn the most profit, it shouldn’t be the only activity offered. Having multiple activities such as dodgeball, trampoline courts, rock climbing, arcade, and so much more takes your space to the next level.

On top of that, most standalone laser tag businesses do not have food options. Ensuring that your customers have food and beverages while they get all their energy out is essential to top tier entertainment. This type of service guarantees repeat customers, customers staying longer at your establishment, and the highest potential for a successful business.

Is it better to own a franchise?

Yes, a franchise is certainly more reliable than going into business ownership alone, especially starting a laser tag business. Franchises offer more structure, extensive training, and support, help with negotiations, and you’re more likely to gain financial support when joining a franchise. Since they’re a proven concept, a financial team finds them more trustworthy.

How does Launch Entertainment manage to integrate laser tag into their facility?

At Launch Entertainment, laser tag is just one of the incredible activities we offer. We’ve taken it to the next level by branding our laser tag, “Fury Laser Tag.” We have two experiences for customers to enjoy: joining forces with United Earth or the Martian Syndicate, where players can achieve bragging rights in the state-of-the-art arena.

Consider Launch Entertainment as Your Business Endeavor

Deciding to go into business ownership is an adventure. You should be able to have all the benefits that come with business ownership, but also have fun while doing so and choose the least stressful option. By joining Launch Entertainment, all the hard decisions are removed from your experience. You have a knowledgeable team right behind you, every step of the way, setting you up for the best chance of success.

It’s worth investing in a franchise like Launch over a standalone laser tag business because you’re able to really utilize the entire space, and curate an experience that laser tag alone simply can’t compare. Launch Entertainment has a proven history with repeat customers and prioritizing a memorable experience for all ages.

Corey and Christina

Launch Dawsonville Experiencing Record Sales Through the First Quarter of 2022

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – (May 10, 2022) – Launch Entertainment, a leading operator and franchisor of innovative, year-round family entertainment centers, is excited to highlight the success of the Dawsonville, Georgia, location. Opened in the summer of 2020 by husband-and-wife team Christina and Corey Stalnaker, Launch Dawsonville is now experiencing record sales. The success comes after Christina, a co-owner, assumed the role of General Manager in November. She made fundamental staff and protocol changes and raised the morale of the entire team.

“Obviously, 2020 was a tough time to start a new business, especially a business in the family entertainment space. We couldn’t have a classic grand opening, and it was tough to build momentum with government restrictions,” said Christina Stalnaker, Managing Owner of Launch Dawsonville. “When I took over, I wanted to bring some positivity to the leadership team and let our staff know the tough times wouldn’t last. 2022 has been amazing so far! You can feel an energy and excitement each time you enter the building.”

Launch Entertainment, headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, is one of the fastest-growing family recreation movements in the United States. The state-of-the-art family entertainment center franchise was founded in 2012 by Rob and Erin Arnold. Launch offers a differentiated entertainment experience with a wide variety of attractions and amenities for all ages.

Christina and Corey decided to bring Launch to Dawsonville because of a lack of entertainment options for children in the area. As parents of three children of their own, they recognized the need, and are thrilled families now have the opportunity to fully take advantage of the addition to the community.

“We live in this community, so our customers are also our neighbors,” said Christina Stalnaker. “We are getting great feedback from local families.”

As residents of the area, the Stalnaker family realizes the value of a fun-filled experience with a great atmosphere to celebrate birthdays, family gatherings, church events, work outings, or just a date night that everyone from all walks of life can enjoy. Launch Entertainment is a service-based, high-margin business that drives repeat customers by going above and beyond what most family entertainment concepts offer.

“We are so grateful to have the Stalnakers in the Launch family. They opened their doors during an unprecedented time and have always navigated any and all challenges gracefully and with positive attitudes. They have come out the other side stronger and successfully.” said Launch CEO Rob Arnold. “Corey and Christina are great communicators, and when faced with challenges they were not exactly sure how to navigate, they never hesitated to reach out. Our team worked side by side with them then and now to help ensure their success. It’s franchisees like Corey and Christina that make our franchise strong and something to be proud to be a part of.”

Launch currently has 28 family entertainment centers open for business in 13 states across the nation. The rapid expansion of the family entertainment franchise continues by the hour, with numerous other locations in various stages of development.

Visit www.launchtrampolinepark.com for more information.

For franchising information, visit https://launchtrampdev.wpengine.com/franchise/franchise/.

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ABOUT LAUNCH FRANCHISING, LLC

Successful Franchises Live By These 5 Unmistakable Qualities

Entrepreneurs interested in pursuing business ownership but uneasy about going it alone often turn to franchising. Franchising is a proven system of distributing products or services involving a franchisor and franchisee.

The franchisor establishes the brand’s trademark and business system. The franchisee pays a royalty and initial fee for the right to do business under the franchisor’s name and system.

In the U.S. alone, there are more than 750,000 franchises. Franchises provide employment to more than 8 million Americans. While it’s a huge part of the workforce, it takes a lot to create a successful franchise. Many burn out before the grand opening.

Below, we’ve detailed the five top qualities that contribute to a successful franchise.

What are the Keys to Franchise Success?

Once you’ve understood the fundamentals of franchising, it’s time to pick which is the best fit for you. Here are some factors to consider that should drive your decision-making:

Brand recognition: Having an established brand is one of the greatest assets for a franchise. This creates a customer base that already wants your service. Alone, this can be one of the hardest things to establish, and many businesses will try for years and still struggle to have returning customers. With a well-known brand, you get loyal customers from day one.
A healthy industry: Some industries are booming; some are stagnant. It’s up to you to confirm the opportunities available, the budget, and desired work expectations, but choosing the right industry is incredibly important to the overall success of your business.
Profitability: Will this business make me money? It’s a must to verify the business will be able to sustain you in short-term to create long-term financial security. Examine the past financials of the franchise as well as its growth trajectory and make sure to talk to franchisees about their experience.
Sustainability: In addition to profit, your franchise must survive. Look for franchises that have been around and have tremendous growth potential.
Marketing: Check out how the brand is revolutionizing their marketing strategies. Social media is a powerful tool now, and many companies are using it. Make sure the industry you’re looking at is using it to amplify and elevate the brand.

Why Franchising is a Great Choice

There’s a reason many people head to franchising when deciding to go into business ownership. Franchises have brand recognition, which often comes with a built-in customer base. They have a franchise system with a network of other franchisees. That means shoulders to lean on and experiences to learn from. In addition, there’s also support and training from a leadership team that understands your success equals their success. In general, franchises are relatively successful. Be mindful, there is no guaranteed financial prosperity, but it’s definitely the more promising route over starting from scratch.

What Soft Skills do I Need?

It takes more than a strong franchise brand to help you create success. You have to have the skills it takes – or be willing to develop those skills – to be the right kind of good franchisee to help the franchise truly thrive. That’s where soft skills come into play.

As a good franchisee, you should be:

Passionate: Passion and drive are often the biggest motivation to be successful in any endeavor, franchise included. Having a passion for your brand will be visible and contagious to your team and your customers.
Coachable: Leave your ego at the door. It’s imperative you have a willingness to learn and grow. You must be able to accept training and guidance from the franchisor. It’s helpful to also view every experience, the good and the bad, as a way to learn. In turn, those lessons will lead you to more profitability and success.
Goal-oriented: To be a successful franchise owner, you must be goal-oriented. Having clear ideas of accomplishments you want to achieve and financial milestones you want to make creates a motivated and more productive environment for you and your staff.
Adaptable: Possessing the quality to be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial in franchise ownership. Being resilient in the face of mistakes as you establish your new business sets the proper tone for a successful franchise.
A risk-taker: Franchising can involve taking some risks. We’re not asking you to be a daredevil or reinvent the wheel, but it’s best to not be dominated by fear or concerns. Be open to change and willing to take moderate risks.

Consider Launch Entertainment

Launch Entertainment checks all the boxes for a successful franchise. The family entertainment center industry is projected to reach $40.81 billion by 2025.

Franchising for nearly 10 years, Launch has been an innovating leader, completely revolutionizing the family entertainment industry. Launch offers you an incredible opportunity to engage with the community and be a part of a trusted system that is rapidly expanding. If you’d like to learn more about investing in a franchise, click here to request more info.

Family Entertainment Center Franchise to Open First Site Inside Outlet Mall in Jeffersonville, Ohio

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio – (May 3, 2022) – Launch Entertainment, a leading operator and franchisor of innovative, year-round family entertainment centers, is continuing to grow its presence across the nation. Launch is eager to announce its very first location will be coming soon to the state of Ohio. The franchise’s latest deal will bring a fun-filled experience for all ages to Destination Outlets in Jeffersonville, Ohio, and the surrounding area.

Launch Entertainment, headquartered in Warwick, Rhode Island, is one of the fastest-growing family entertainment concepts in the United States. The state-of-the-art family entertainment center franchise was founded in 2012 by Rob and Erin Arnold. Launch offers a differentiated entertainment experience with a wide variety of attractions and amenities for all ages, including XP Arena, ninja courses, laser tag arenas, virtual reality rooms, ropes courses, bowling, trampolines, Krave restaurant, Bar Hops beverage service, and more.

Aside from it being the first Ohio location, the latest Launch Entertainment facility heading to the Jefferson community is unique in that it will be the franchise’s first facility inside an outlet mall. This site will open within Destination Outlets, located at 8800 Factory Shops Boulevard. Launch’s very first Ohio family entertainment center is currently in development with plans to open by this fall.

“Opening a Launch Entertainment inside of Destination Outlets is just what this area needs,” said the new Launch franchisees. “The mall’s tagline is ‘Shop. Eat. Play.’ Launch exemplifies this concept. Our location will provide the community with a year-round destination for quality shopping, a variety of food choices, and engaging entertainment.”

Launch Franchisees are beneficiaries of comprehensive support and training from an industry-leading franchise team. The newest Ohio franchisees enjoy the independence of small business ownership while being backed by the benefits of a big business network. Launch is a reputable brand with a playbook for success.

Launch’s model, differentiated amenities, and one-of-a-kind Krave restaurant are key factors that made the Ohio franchisee team confident in bringing the family entertainment center into the community they call home. Launch Entertainment is a service-based, high-margin business that drives repeat customers by going above and beyond what most family entertainment businesses offer.

“Along with providing our community with an endless supply of fun, we are thrilled to offer new jobs to those in the Jeffersonville area,” said the new Launch franchisees. “At the core of Launch’s model is a group of community-focused individuals. This is one of many aspects in which we pride ourselves. In addition to the new job opportunities we will bring to this market, we are also excited to offer community-based activities to those in and around Jeffersonville. Our team is working diligently to develop new programs for our local school systems, including a bowling league they could participate in.”

“We are pleased to announce our first location in Ohio,” said Launch CEO Rob Arnold. “As a franchise, we are swiftly expanding our footprint across the nation, and this latest location is a testament to our success. Launch Entertainment will be a great addition to the Jeffersonville community and Destination Outlets. We look forward to working with the Jeffersonville team as they bring the community its very first Launch family entertainment center.”

The act of play is an important part of a child’s development and growth. Play is more than just fun and games; It’s been proven to help kids learn about themselves and the world around them. It affects their social development, interests, and passions. This all leads to discovering important life skills as they grow.

For the most part, children have very little preference when it comes to choosing the play that they’re engaging in. It doesn’t matter whether it’s inside or outside, as long as they’re able to have fun. In this case, many parents opt for convenience, security, sanitation, and weather when choosing a space for their children. This creates the perfect opportunity for indoor playground franchises to thrive.

How Much Do Indoor Franchise Owners Make?

In 2019, children’s fitness franchises earned a total of $336 million in revenue.

Generally, the children’s fitness industry sees a good return on investment. The profit margins and returns for indoor playground franchises vary by location, business model, and overhead costs. It’s also impacted by the establishment’s reputation, and if there are attractions available for all ages.

When investing in an indoor playground business, begin with researching the total indoor playground franchise cost and be mindful of the environment and what’s happening in the community. For example, many of the peak hour times will align with the surrounding school’s schedules. This means weekends and breaks will be your busiest time. Despite this, it’s important to continuously offer activities and opportunities to engage with the community, so there is less down time. This could look like opening your doors to local businesses for employee exercises, field trips, fitness classes, or activities for non-school age children.

In addition to working with locals, it’d be worth your while to invest in internet marketing. Having eye-catching equipment creates a lively Facebook and Instagram feed. Social media has become a powerful tool, don’t be afraid to use it.

At the root of it all, create a high-quality experience with fun in mind. This means offering birthday packages, selling food and beverages, and making sure kids of all ages (and parents!) are welcome to join in on the experience.

There are a multitude of fun, creative, and easy ways to make an indoor playground more profitable.

What Equipment Do You Need to Start an Indoor Playground?

First and foremost, trampolines! There’s nothing like seeing the pure joy of kids and adults jumping to their hearts content and shaking off all the school and work stress.

It’s best to focus on fun when you’re thinking of a layout for your indoor playground. Making sure you have a little bit of everything for everyone goes a long way. There’s rock climbing, basketball, dodgeball, foam pit, laser tag, virtual reality, and so much more.

The best example of how to create the optimal experience is looking at seasoned family entertainment park, Launch Entertainment. With all these amenities and more, Launch creates an environment where it’s impossible not to have fun.

Who is the Target Audience & Why Do Indoor Playgrounds Appeal to their Needs?

When exploring indoor playground ideas for business opportunities, keep in mind the target audience for these types of centers are areas with a large population of children and parents who have disposable income.

Indoor playground franchises have several advantages. A major benefit to an indoor playground is the accessibility during every season. There is less opportunity for severe injury as many activities have cushions like ball pits and tumble mats.

Indoor playgrounds often undergo routine cleaning. This creates a more sanitary environment than any outdoor opportunities for play. For example, Launch has raised the bar in sanitation by passing the rigorous “STERILE” cleanliness certification program. This program was designed specifically for family entertainment centers. This includes providing cleanliness to all surfaces, trampolines & attractions, equipment, railings, inventory, lockers, and employees & guests. The requirements all meet or exceed CDC guidelines.

In terms of entertainment, most of these indoor playgrounds are destined to thrive in areas where there are a lot of families either visiting or living. They also excel when activities are geared toward every age. This makes families much more inclined to stay longer, and also to return.

Consider Franchising with Launch

Launch Entertainment continues to prove time and time again, what it takes to drive customer foot traffic and create a loyal customer base with fantastic return rates. Whether it’s family night, date night, a team-building meeting exercise, or college kids looking for a place to feel young again, we’re the go-to. We prioritize creating an incredible experience for all ages.

Starting an indoor playground can be daunting with many obstacles hurled towards you, but you don’t have to go it alone. With us, you can have the incredible opportunity of engaging with the community and being an anchor for incredible memories while also receiving ongoing support, training, marketing assistance, and ample resources from a franchise system that is driven to see you succeed.

If you’re ready to take the next step in owning your own family entertainment center, fill out this form and one of our franchise development representatives will be in touch.