How to Start a Bowling Alley Business in 2025

How to Start a Bowling Alley Business in 2025

View AMP Version

How to Start a Bowling Alley Business in 2025 – Startup Costs, Revenue Strategy, and Profit Potential

Starting a bowling alley business in 2025 is no longer just a nostalgic throwback to the '80s. Bowling centers today are modern entertainment hubs that combine food, drinks, games, and themed experiences that go far beyond pins and lanes. With the right setup, marketing plan, and business strategy, a bowling alley can be a highly profitable investment.

This in-depth guide walks you through everything you need to start a bowling alley business in 2025 – from the real startup costs and equipment to location scouting, licensing, hiring, and actual revenue expectations. We’ll also show you where to download a complete business plan used and funded in 2025.

1. Why Start a Bowling Alley Business in 2025?

Consumer demand for shared experiences and in-person entertainment is growing. Bowling alleys that offer an immersive experience – with bar service, music, arcades, food, and themed nights – are making a huge comeback.

Bowling is now a core part of the “entertainment dining” trend where families, couples, and groups seek out places that offer food, fun, and atmosphere in one venue. This creates a multi-revenue model that gives bowling alleys a strong edge in local markets.

2. Specific Startup Costs: Real Example Breakdown

To provide a clearer picture of real-world costs, here is a detailed breakdown from a fictional bowling alley startup in Rochester, NY that opened in early 2025:

  • Lease Deposit (25,000 sq ft facility): $28,000
  • Building Renovation: $435,000
  • Bowling Equipment (12 lanes, pinsetters, scoring monitors): $640,000
  • Shoes and Balls Inventory: $35,000
  • Bar and Kitchen Installation: $118,000
  • Furniture and Fixtures: $82,500
  • Arcade Setup: $47,000
  • Audio/Visual System & Lighting Effects: $38,200
  • POS and Reservation Software: $8,500
  • Insurance Premium (annual): $19,000
  • Licensing and Permits: $14,000
  • Signage and Branding: $11,800
  • Initial Marketing Campaign: $16,500
  • Hiring and Payroll Reserve (3 months): $102,000
  • Miscellaneous: $9,200

Total Startup Cost: $1,604,700

3. Choosing the Right Location

  • Minimum 20,000 to 40,000 square feet
  • Strong vehicle access and parking
  • Visibility from major roads
  • Proximity to family-friendly suburbs, schools, or nightlife

Urban centers often require higher buildout costs, but they come with more foot traffic and late-night customers. Suburban areas may offer cheaper rent and more families.

4. Licensing and Legal Setup

  • Business license (LLC or Corporation)
  • Federal EIN and state tax registration
  • Liquor license (varies by state)
  • Food service license
  • Health and fire inspections
  • Amusement/game license (for arcades)

5. Staffing Needs and Wages

  • General Manager
  • Kitchen staff
  • Bartenders and servers
  • Lane mechanics/technicians
  • Front desk and shoe rental
  • Cleaning and maintenance crew

Expected annual payroll: $250,000 to $500,000

6. Revenue Streams Beyond Bowling

  • Hourly bowling games
  • Shoe rentals
  • Food and alcohol sales
  • Arcade/game token revenue
  • Party/event packages
  • League and tournament fees
  • Retail merchandising (shirts, bags, etc.)

7. Profit Potential and Break-Even Timeline

  • Monthly Revenue: $60,000 to $150,000
  • Monthly Expenses: $40,000 to $90,000
  • Profit Margin: $10,000 to $40,000

Most bowling centers become profitable in 18 to 36 months.

8. Marketing Tips to Fill Your Lanes

  • Google Business Profile with accurate info and reviews
  • Birthday and corporate event packages
  • Email marketing promotions
  • Local SEO and location keywords
  • Social media reels and customer highlights
  • Soft opening and referral discounts

9. What an SBA-Approved Business Plan Must Include

  1. Executive Summary
  2. Company Description
  3. Market Analysis
  4. Organization and Management
  5. Products and Services
  6. Marketing and Sales Strategy
  7. Financial Projections

10. Download a Real Bowling Alley Business Plan

Looking to skip the guesswork? You can see the actual Bowling Alley Business Plan template used to get SBA funding in 2025. It includes Word and PDF files, financials, market analysis, and more.

Final Thoughts

Opening a bowling alley is a major undertaking but has high profit potential when built with a detailed plan. Use this guide to understand startup costs, avoid common mistakes, and launch with confidence.

Explore more templates:
Business Plans Volumes 1–5 | Business Plans Volumes 16–20

Back to blog