Bowling Alley Investment Costs
Building a professional bowling alley in the UK usually costs between £150,000 – £600,000. The overall cost depends on building requirements, specifications, and interior design elements.
- For two bowling lanes, it may cost $120,000 – $195,000 after your bowling alley is finished and ready for use.
- A regulation lane is 60 feet long.
- A typical bowling alley ranges from 3,000 to 10,000 square feet with the average being 5,000 square feet.
A game will cost each person between $2 and $5. Shoe rentals are between $3 and $6 per person. Bowling alleys offer discounts during slower times to attract customers. On special nights, rates can be $4 to $7, or bowling alleys charge by the hour from $17 to $29.
Startup costs include building construction, renovation, ball-return machines, and more. Successful bowling alleys are located where average income is over $100,000 per year.
Revenue and Potential
The average bowling alley can make about $36,750 per lane annually. Assuming a start-up cost of $1.5 million, the bowling alley will need to generate around 200,000 games per year in order to break even.
Starting Your Own Bowling Alley Business
How do I start a bowling alley business? Rent costs for your bowling alley business vary by location.
- In the heart of Manhattan, rent could cost over $80,000/month.
- In Florida or Tennessee, a storefront lease might cost less than $1,000/month.
The cost of construction for a bowling alley building and a 100-car parking lot can range from $6.3 million to $9.5 million for a standard size building. However, larger facilities or those offering a variety of amenities can easily reach $5 million or more in costs.
Draft a business plan that aligns with your vision, ranging from a family entertainment center, boutique bowling center, hybrid center to a traditional bowling alley.
Sale of Fountain Bowl
How much did Fountain Bowl sell for? The original owners of the Fountain Bowl sold the retail building for $17.4 million, or about $283 per square foot.