Gashapon Hunting in Little Tokyo: A Collector’s Guide

Aside from the financial risk of high initial investment, the biggest ongoing operational risk is liability and guest safety. This is closely followed by poor site selection—a hard-to-access or low-visibility location cripples foot traffic and marketing ROI regardless of attraction quality.

The cost to open a Family Entertainment Center (FEC) varies significantly based on its size, location, and the complexity of the attractions. However, it requires a substantial initial investment.

As a general guideline, initial startup costs can range:

• Small to Mid-Sized Centers (e.g., focused arcade or indoor playground): Typically start around $300,000 to $1 Million.
• Large, Multi-Attraction Centers (e.g., combining bowling, laser tag, and F&B): Often require $1 Million up to $5 Million or more.

The major components driving this investment are:

1. Real Estate: Purchasing or leasing a building and subsequent necessary renovations.
2. Attraction Equipment: This includes the cost of arcades, soft play, trampolines, and other anchor attractions. We at MARWEY provide cost-effective, high-quality equipment designed for long-term ROI.
3. Food & Beverage (F&B) Infrastructure: Establishing a commercial kitchen or concession area.
4. Soft Costs: Licensing, permits, insurance, initial staffing, and pre-opening marketing expenses.

A comprehensive business plan and feasibility study are essential to define the exact budget required for a specific project.

Our ​arcade boxing machines​ thrive in high-traffic venues like amusement parks, shopping malls, ​Family Entertainment Centers (FECs)​, bars, or rental spaces. Their compact design, vibrant displays, and competitive scoring mechanics attract players of all ages – ideal for boosting foot traffic and revenue per square foot.

The money required to start a trampoline park is substantial and highly variable. The total initial investment typically ranges from $500,000 up to over $8 million, depending heavily on the business model and size.

General Range for Initial Investment

• Independent or Smaller Park: $500,000 to $3,000,000

  Large-Scale or Franchise Park (e.g., Urban Air, Altitude): $1,700,000 to over $8,000,000 (This higher figure includes franchise fees, extensive attractions, and substantial leasehold improvements).

Breakdown of Major Costs

The majority of the startup capital is allocated to three key areas:

• Leasehold Improvements and Build-Out ($500,000 - $1,500,000+): This is often the largest single expense. It covers converting an empty warehouse or retail space (typically 20,000 to 40,000 square feet) to meet safety codes, installing HVAC, electricity, fire suppression systems, flooring, and constructing party rooms.
• Trampoline & Attraction Equipment ($100,000 - $750,000+): Purchasing, shipping, and installing the trampolines, foam pits, ninja courses, climbing walls, and other specialized safety equipment.
• Working Capital & Other Fees: This includes initial security deposits, permits, pre-opening staff salaries, marketing, and the significant cost of liability insurance. (For franchises, the upfront Franchise Fee alone can be $50,000 to $150,000+).