Summary:

• The global FEC market could exceed $80B by 2033, with demand growing for both classic attractions and newer immersive experiences.
• Operators are expanding attractions and exploring new ways to increase revenue and margins.
• Behind the scenes, workforce and operational efficiency are more critical than ever to staying competitive.

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The family entertainment industry (FEC) is poised for significant growth, with market projections estimating the sector could exceed $80 billion by 2033. In fact, in 2025 alone, the global market is worth $38.13B, highlighting the scale of the opportunity ahead.

Analysts attribute this projected growth to the expansion of venues that combine arcades, dining, immersive games, and live entertainment. At the same time, demand for social, in-person experiences continues to rise, drawing families and younger consumers away from screens and toward shared activities.

Gearing up for new revenue opportunities

Family entertainment centers have long been known for classic attractions such as arcade games, bowling alleys, and active play areas. But as the industry evolves and younger audiences become increasingly tech-savvy, some venues are introducing newer technologies such as VR escape rooms, interactive art installations, augmented reality arenas, and esports experiences.

That said, capitalizing on this growth doesn’t always mean making large investments or introducing new attractions immediately. In many cases, it starts with taking a closer look at existing operations and identifying opportunities to unlock additional revenue streams or better protect margins.

At its core, it always comes back to the guest experience. Sometimes, small operational adjustments can improve margins without compromising quality. For example, operators may review their food and beverage offerings to see whether menu changes could improve profitability while maintaining, or even enhancing, guest satisfaction.

Some venues are also finding ways to generate additional revenue from the space they already have. Adding small arcade sections, for instance, can help improve guest retention and attract new visitors. Even simple additions, such as claw machines or new video games, can make productive use of underutilized areas within a venue. 

But beyond identifying these opportunities for growth, there is one critical area operators must focus on to fully capitalize on the industry’s next phase.

As FECs grow, operations become the real test

Rapid growth often brings operational growing pains. Even under normal circumstances, running a family entertainment center already involves navigating complex challenges around labor, scheduling, compliance, and payroll.

As operators invest in new attractions and guest experiences, it’s just as important to re-evaluate the systems that support day-to-day operations, particularly those used for staff scheduling, labor forecasting, and payroll.

Let’s take a look at several key areas operators should consider when assessing their current systems. These factors can help determine whether adjustments are needed—or whether it’s time to adopt a new platform.

Ease of use

It may sound obvious, but the usability of a system is often overlooked. Many FEC managers and operators wear multiple hats, handling everything from scheduling to daily operations. Because of this, ease of use should be a top priority. At the same time, today’s workforce is highly comfortable with technology and expects tools that are simple and intuitive.

“I handle scheduling, hiring, and letting people go. I make sure everyone’s timesheets are correct and manage the day-to-day operations, from the games and restocking to talking with parents. I do it all,” shares Bria Stuckey, General Manager at Altitude Trampoline Park.

Also read: Behind the Fun: How Workforce.com Powers Altitude Trampoline Park

Without the right system, frontline managers can find themselves pulled away from the floor and from their primary responsibility: ensuring guests have the best possible experience and that operations run smoothly.

When evaluating your current systems, consider how quickly employees can learn to use them. For example, how long would it take a new hire to clock in and out, submit leave requests, or access their timesheets and pay stubs? The same applies to managers responsible for scheduling shifts, approving timesheets, or managing payroll.

If your system requires extensive training, constant handholding, or frequent manual workarounds, it may be time to reconsider how your technology supports your team.

Support for minor labor law compliance

FECs and attractions often employ younger staff, which adds another layer of labor compliance that operators must carefully manage.

“First off, youth labor laws are easy to miss. You need to know applicable labor laws and automate compliance,” shares Travis Kohlmeyer, General Manager at Workforce.com. “For example, in Chicago, minors under 18 can only work three hours on a school day and eight hours on a non-school day. During the school year, they can only work until 7 or 8 PM. So if school ends at 5 PM, you can’t even schedule them for more than two hours. If you don’t track this, it’s going to be a massive hit.”

Beyond work-hour limits, youth labor compliance can also include rules around break periods, rest times, and scheduling restrictions, which vary by state and industry. Having systems with built-in safeguards can help operators avoid costly violations.

Workforce.com for example, flags potential labor law violations as early as the shift scheduling stage. If a manager accidentally assigns a minor employee to a shift that exceeds legal limits, the system automatically alerts them.

“One of the more difficult parts of having a young staff is that they’re limited to how many hours they can work. Workforce.com helps me stay compliant with minor labor laws whenever they can’t work. I really do like that it tells me if I can’t schedule somebody, and it won’t even allow me to schedule them,” Bria shares. 

Tracking certifications and training

In FECs, keeping track of staff certifications and training is critical, especially as venues add new rides, equipment, and attractions.

Operators should have a clear way to record certifications within each employee’s profile and ensure those qualifications are reflected when assigning shifts or responsibilities.

Workforce.com enables managers to track certifications directly within employee profiles. Palace Playland has found this feature particularly helpful.

Workforce.com lets you do this, and Palace Playland has benefited greatly from it. “Anytime somebody is trained or authorized to operate a ride, we add it to their profile,” shares Maegan Achenbach, Palace Playland’s Vice President. “When you’re looking at your staff list, it’s really easy to just hover over it and see who is qualified to operate what.”

Also read: 5 Common FEC Challenges + How Workforce.com Solves Them

Labor forecasting and demand-based scheduling

Labor forecasting is another area that can significantly impact an FEC’s bottom line. Labor is often one of the largest variable costs involved in operating a family entertainment center.

To manage labor effectively as the business grows, operators need systems that accurately forecast staffing needs and help them avoid both overstaffing and understaffing.

Workforce.com provides forecasting tools designed for businesses with unpredictable demand, such as FECs. The system analyzes multiple data points to estimate the number of employees needed per shift and per day.

These data points can include historical sales data, scheduled events, private bookings such as birthday parties, local events or festivals, expected foot traffic, weather forecasts, and other factors that influence demand. 

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Time tracking and managing last-minute call-outs 

Family entertainment centers operate in fast-paced environments, so managers need full visibility into their teams throughout the day.

Workforce.com provides a centralized platform where managers can see who is clocked in, who is running late, and who is about to end their shift. The system also helps manage last-minute call-outs by enabling managers to quickly identify qualified replacements.

Importantly, these replacements are still validated against factors such as certifications and labor-hour restrictions.

With this level of visibility and automation, managers can stay focused on running the venue instead of scrambling to resolve time and attendance issues or unexpected scheduling changes. 

Paying staff accurately

Because FEC teams often include employees with different wage structures and compliance requirements, payroll can quickly become complicated.

Workforce.com’s payroll software is designed specifically for hourly teams. Because it operates within the same platform as onboarding, scheduling, time tracking, and HR, payroll calculations automatically use accurate, up-to-date data.

One common payroll challenge is that data often lives across multiple systems. Timesheets may exist in one platform, schedules in another, and employee records somewhere else entirely. This fragmentation increases the risk of errors and forces managers to spend significant time reconciling information.

Using a centralized system helps reduce payroll processing time, improve accuracy, and minimize the risk of compliance issues.

The all-in-one platform for FECs

The outlook for the FEC industry is promising, but sustained growth requires strong operational foundations. To keep pace, operators need reliable systems to manage scheduling, labor compliance, and payroll across their teams.

Workforce.com helps FEC and amusement businesses optimize labor, ensure accurate employee pay, and improve overall operational efficiency. Built specifically for hourly workforces, the platform is designed to address the realities of running venues staffed by a mix of part-time employees, minors, and team members with different certifications and roles.
Discover how Workforce.com can help your business stay ahead. Book a call today.