Planning a child's birthday party can be stressful, and parents always look for ways to make the celebration unique and memorable. Have your Family Entertainment Center (FEC) become the hero! You can unlock a universe of possibilities by offering exciting birthday party upgrades.
Birthday upgrades create a more exciting and engaging party experience for kids, leading to happy guests and satisfied parents, which translates to positive word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat business for your FEC. On the other hand, upgrades unlock new revenue streams for your business. By offering optional add-ons, you empower families to personalize their party experience and spend a little more to create an exceptional event.
Let's explore some upgrade ideas to take your FEC's birthday parties to the next level:
Unleash the Fun with Enhanced Experiences:
- Themed Party: Transform birthday parties into extraordinary adventures with immersive themed experiences. Some examples include pirate treasure hunts, magical undersea soirees, or space odysseys - endless possibilities! Provide themed decorations, activities, invitations, and even costumed characters to bring the chosen theme to life. Themes create an unforgettable atmosphere that sparks kids' imaginations and keeps them entertained throughout the party.
- VIP Treatment: Roll out the red carpet with VIP party rooms. Imagine comfy seating, a dedicated party host, and priority access to attractions –– it's the ultimate birthday party upgrade for families seeking exclusivity and ease.
- Photo Memories: Set up a fun photo booth loaded with wacky props. Photo ops allow guests to capture silly moments and create lasting memories of the party.
Fuel the Fun with Food and Beverage Upgrades:
- Beyond the Slice: While pizza is a party staple, consider offering additional food options like chicken tenders, veggie platters, or mini fruit cups. You can also provide catering packages that take the pressure off parents, allowing them to choose pre-set menus with drinks and even birthday cakes.
- Sweet Personalization: For a unique touch, offer personalized cupcakes or cookies decorated with the birthday child's name or initials. The small detail adds a hefty dose of "wow" to the celebration.
Power Up the Party:
- Extra Playtime Punch: Give parties an extra boost of fun with upgrades like extended game time, bonus arcade points, or access to unique attractions.
- Offer Goodie Bags: Provide convenient and fun goodie bags filled with age-appropriate candy and toys.
- Fill Your Own Goodie Bag: Ditch the traditional prize bag and create a Goodie Bag Station instead - filled with exciting toys, candies, and other fun favors. Imagine a redemption counter setup where each child gets a set amount of points or tokens to spend. They can then browse the selection and "purchase" their favorite goodies, filling their bag to their point limit. This interactive experience allows every child to create a customized goody bag filled with precisely what they want! If space is limited, you can utilize your current redemption counter.
Pro Tip: You NEED online booking! Do you know facilities that offer online bookings see 75% or more of the party bookings happen online with little or no contact with your staff? Parents who are booking parties want three things: quick information, a discussion, and precise action. If your website does not display pricing or offer online booking, those parents will book somewhere else. My biggest tip is to ensure your website is up-to-date, showcases your party packages and upgrades, and allows online booking to capture those all-important reservations.
I know it's hard to break away from the daily routine, but adding just a few of these upgrade options will completely transform your birthday party experience and boost your revenue! You'll be the hero for families seeking a stress-free and memorable celebration while simultaneously establishing your center as the go-to spot for birthday fun!
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About the Author(s): Clint Novak is the Business Development Manager at A&A Global Industries, a leading supplier of amusement and vending industry products. With over a decade of experience in the amusement industry, Clint is passionate about empowering arcades through innovative branding strategies.
