startup academy feasibility and planning course

Fun Center Startup

Startup Academy Course

Put our 25 years amusement experience to work for you.

This 7-Module Course is a go-at-your-own-pace, interactive fun center feasibility and planning program, with 27 individual components to ensure your project has a plan with the best chance to get funded.

Startup Academy - No Need for Travel

Modular Online Course

Startup Academy is a step-by-step, modular approach to getting your fun center project funded and opened for business.

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Course Materials & Content

This is an instructor-led, go-at-your-own-pace, online fun center business startup program.

It comes complete with Business Plan, detailed direction with ongoing coaching and assistance to prepare your own local feasibility analysis.

As part of the FEC Network, we have been in the amusement attractions industry since 1995. From those years of experience, and our Fun Center Feasibility service, we developed the Startup Academy program.

A simple, cost-effective, DIY business planning and startup course, for new amusement entrepreneurs looking to get a professional feasibility analysis, and completed fun center business plan, at a reasonable price.

There are many services out there that will do this for you (including our own feasibility & planning service), but they can be expensive, and it can be difficult to present to potential funders, if the entrepreneur does not have a grasp on the completed plan and it’s market data. Startup Academy addresses this, by having the entrepreneur do the local research and build-out the plan with our materials and direct experience, coaching and consultation.

We then use that analysis to help you complete your business plan, and get it ready for presentation to potential funders.

1. Written Business Plan​

The Academy program comes with a complete business plan, including a 37 page WORD document. Quickly edit it to fit with your project.

2. Project Financials​

Also included are 27 attachments as your financial modeling, projections, startup costs, operating expenses and P&L statements.​

3. Academy Course​

The course follows the modules below, with on-going consultation and guidance. Use the materials included, speak with your coach as needed to prepare a local feasibility analysis, and complete your plan.​

4. Facility Layout

OPTIONAL: Having an accurate 2D layout, designed to scale can often help in the presentation of the overall idea, and assist architects with your project scope. Saving you some dollars on architectural drawings.

Complete Course Package:

The course follows the business plan, based on these (7) modules of feasibility. Starting with a demographic study, we show you how to locate and use the data found in the development of your plan. Each module connects with the previous to logically and simply guide you through the entire process.

Academy a la Carte:

For new amusement business developers who have already completed some research, or have pieces of an existing fun center business plan, all (7) modules may not be required. The plan package may be purchased on it’s own, or combined with any of the course modules individually.

7 Course Modules

finding and using amusement business demographics

Demographics

MODULE ONE: Demographics
In our first module we take a hard look at your market opportunity. Local demographics along with any amount of potential secondary market from OTV and tourist trade.
 
Included Attachments (1-5)
– Primary Residential Population
– Population Demographics
– Visitor (tourist) analysis
– Total Estimated Population
– Percentage(%) of Age Breakdown

Projected Completion:  1-2 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

competitive analysis study

Competitive Analysis

MODULE TWO: Competitive Analysis
What does the market currently provide? Using a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunity and Threats), we work together to determine the opportunities to stand out, and provide value beyond the current offerings.
Included Attachment (6)
– Competitive Attractions
 

Projected Completion:  1 week

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

how to lease the right space for your fun center

Lease Space

MODULE THREE: Lease Space
Based on the demographics and competitive strategy, in this module it’s time to look at space requirements and attraction mix. How much space is required based on the demographic opportunity?
Included Attachments (7-10)
– Capacity Estimates
– Vehicle Parking Requirements
– Allocation of Interior Space
– Lease Cost Estimate
 

Projected Completion:  1-2 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

How to design and construct your fun center

Build Out

MODULE FOUR: Build-Out
Now that we have a better sense of how much space is actually required and what the project plan can afford, it’s time to start pulling together hard costs for build-out and startup.
 
Included Attachments (11-15)
– Appropriate Attraction Mix
– Estimated Construction Costs
– Mezzanine Cost (optional laser-tag)
– Kitchen & Service Equipment Costs
– Booths, Tables & Seating
– Startup Costs
– Project Budget
 

Projected Completion:  2-3 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

How to project accurate fun center revenues

Revenues

MODULE FIVE: Revenues
Going back to the first module and our demographics, module 5 is all about revenues. Projected revenues based on guest traffic, annual visits and attraction usage
.
Included Attachments (16a-16h & 17 varies depending on attraction mix)
– Birthday Parties
– Admissions
– Laser Tag
– Blacklight Minigolf
– VR Stations
– Other Attractions
– Games (coin-op and redemption)
– Group sales
– Food & Beverage
– Total Estimated Sales
 

Projected Completion:  1-2 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

How to determine fun center operating expenses

Operating Expenses

MODULE SIX: Operating Expenses
Based on industry data, local requirements, hours of operations and staffing, in this module we pull together the primary reporting needed to determine project feasibility.
 
Include Attachments (18-22)
– Operating Expenses as (%)
– Staff Schedule & Budget
– Staff Schedule & Proposed Staffing
– Total Salaries
– Expense to Income Analysis
 

Projected Completion:  1-2 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

How to determine your fun center return on investment ROI

ROI Analysis

MODULE SEVEN: ROI Analysis
Pulling it all together to project our profit and loss statements along with a final ROI statement. 

 

Include Attachments (23-27)
– Year One P&L
– Year Two P&L
– Five Year P&L
– Five Year P&L Cumulative Profit & Loan Payment
– ROI Analysis
 

Projected Completion:  1-2 weeks

Each module consists of a course discussion and analysis of your local data and how it relates to the attachments and your project plan. Use these ongoing conversations and analysis to complete each module.

Download Academy Samples

Package Price: $795

SAVE OVER $500 vs. Individual Module Purchases

 

Opens a new window to our eStore Amusement Hub
(you will not be charged until you click on check-out)

By the end of this program you will have a completed business plan with supporting industry and community data that you can present with confidence to potential funding partners. Just as important, you will have configured your concept and ideas into a workable plan that best meets your family entertainment center goals, your access to capital and your local market opportunity.

Already have some research and initial analysis done? Perfect – with your Fun Ceanter Coach, and the included FEC business plan you can jump into the course at any point. Your business coach is available Monday – Saturday 8am – 6pm west coast time. What could be easier or more convenient?

Enroll today and download our Complete Package; Business Plan, eBook Library, Operational & Employee Manuals and Forms.

Call us direct for a no obligation project consultation at 1+(604) 846-6572 or SCHEDULE a free, no obligation initial consultation here.

Thank you

– Derek G.

Hi there, thanks for stopping by...

We started the Academy Program after seeing a need from the many conversations we were having with new amusement entrepreneurs looking for an easier, straightforward way to get their projects started. Good folks, with good ideas in markets that have opportunity. If you find yourself in the same situation, I invite you to explore the program with us. If you have any questions about the program, how it comes together or any of the above, please feel free to call my office direct any time for a no-obligation, confidential discussion about your project goals 1+(604) 846-6572

 

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