How much do i pay to put arcade in a business?

[Silverunicorn]

Something else - In addition to the amusement license, you will need insurance. If a kid hangs on the joysticks and the game falls on him, you think the restaurant will be on the hook for that? You think they won't sue and go after EVERYONE they can?

Create an LLC, get insurance. Protect yourself. I would not want to see this little fun project potentially take your house and everything else you own.

That said, you can have fun with this. It is interesting to see what works (and does not work) in certain locations.

Chris

 

[JamBurglar]

If it was me, in this day and age, I would try to get 100% of the profits. Games really are just a way to get customers in the door in most of these places now. I was recently at the barcade in Ashville NC and, while people are playing games, they obviously make their money on drinks, and food. The games are what makes their bar different from the other bars and tend to draw people in.

I just don't see it as the typical sort of arrangement that we had back in the 80s.

 

[joeycuda]

If it was me, in this day and age, I would try to get 100% of the profits. Games really are just a way to get customers in the door in most of these places now. I was recently at the barcade in Ashville NC and, while people are playing games, they obviously make their money on drinks, and food. The games are what makes their bar different from the other bars and tend to draw people in.

I just don't see it as the typical sort of arrangement that we had back in the 80s.

True..they make money on the drinks and food, because they have to. If a place like that depended on earnings from coin op, they wouldn't last long.

 

[vicemikey]

If it was me, in this day and age, I would try to get 100% of the profits. Games really are just a way to get customers in the door in most of these places now. I was recently at the barcade in Ashville NC and, while people are playing games, they obviously make their money on drinks, and food. The games are what makes their bar different from the other bars and tend to draw people in.

I just don't see it as the typical sort of arrangement that we had back in the 80s.

We might be overestimating the popularity of arcade games here. Putting a couple games on location isn't the same as opening a Dave & Busters. A commercial location that is giving up space and electricity isn't going to be about it for 0% - I think in your wildest dreams 75/25 would be killer - And I don't know if that has ever happened.

 

[JamBurglar]

We might be overestimating the popularity of arcade games here. Putting a couple games on location isn't the same as opening a Dave & Busters. A commercial location that is giving up space and electricity isn't going to be about it for 0% - I think in your wildest dreams 75/25 would be killer - And I don't know if that has ever happened.

For a pizza place you're probably right. For a bar, it can be a draw to have vintage games, depending on where you live. The barcade concept seems to be working really well in college type towns, bigger cities. If somebody drinks one more beer because they want to stay and play another game of robotron it works out pretty well for the bar.

 

[LyonsArcade]

Barcade owns their own machines.

 

[chris25810]

I put a machine on location for 6 weeks and took 100% of the profit it earned. This worked both ways, the establishment saw an increased amount of business for the free advertising he did to promote the game/business and i got all the money. He wanted nothing more than that.

 

[vicemikey]

For a pizza place you're probably right. For a bar, it can be a draw to have vintage games, depending on where you live. The barcade concept seems to be working really well in college type towns, bigger cities. If somebody drinks one more beer because they want to stay and play another game of robotron it works out pretty well for the bar.

I would agree with a college town or in a major metro area - It would probably draw the hipsters like a bug zapper in Chicago - You'd just have to find someone who see's the vision, wants to burn the bar into a hipster hangout, or put the cash up yourself for a place. I retract my previous statement in this case.

 

[vicemikey]

I put a machine on location for 6 weeks and took 100% of the profit it earned. This worked both ways, the establishment saw an increased amount of business for the free advertising he did to promote the game/business and i got all the money. He wanted nothing more than that.

What kind of an establishment was it? I could see this being a rare case for a used game store/comic book store, or a mom & pop pizza place/family restaurant. Either way that's pretty rad.

 

[rikitheshadow]

Never had experience with this type of stuff really. I would just make sure you have the tax stamp for it and up to date. Check with your local government codes and restrictions about operating said equipment in retail outlets and restaurants. Make sure to get everything in writing between you and business, and like Silverunicorn said "secure an LLC or insurance policy to protect yourself"

Oh and I'm not saying that I like those dam ugly security bars operators put in place for extra security for the coin box, but you might look into ensuring that no one can easily break into your coin box and steal off with your only amount of profit.

 

[viewsonix]

I always liked it when pizza places had a cocktail game to play while waiting for my pizza. Put one of those in!

 

[klorvinborno]

Can you make any money with a 60 in 1 Jamma Cabinet?

 

[Sammy_No_Thumb]

i used to own a bar with my brother and we always got a 50/50 split. Out of everything that cam in the door, Big Buck Hunter and Golden tee always came out heads and shoulders above the rest. It was not uncommon for our take on Golden tee to be 150-200 a week. Obviously it's gonna depend on the type of establishment.

I know i always drop a quarter in a simpsons game everywhere i go.

 

[bogard85]

the simpsons may be a good game to throw in a basic establishment.... the insurance post is kinda scaring me a little. i def wont be able to afford all that but i dont want the cab falling on some kid that is hanging on it.... hmmm im still working on saving up the money needed... im on my way soon though. thanks for all the comments...

 

[Legendary Arcade]

Midway cab your best bet

You stick a 4 player cab or a heavy midway style cab the kid would have to be 400 plus lbs to tilt that machine thats of course if you installed the titanium joysticks that do not break off. The 4 slot neo geo cabs are a tad top heavy but I do not see a problem wit an arcade falling on a kid. Make sure you get locking bars for coin boxes. Any kid can buy a lock pick off of ebay for 10 bucks.

 

[Encom]

There are a lot of other scenarios besides the game falling on the kid to worry about that insurance would protect you from. What happens if your game starts a fire and burns the place down? Is everything you own worth the risk? The business insurance would probably cost less than a few hundred a year.

the simpsons may be a good game to throw in a basic establishment.... the insurance post is kinda scaring me a little. i def wont be able to afford all that but i dont want the cab falling on some kid that is hanging on it.... hmmm im still working on saving up the money needed... im on my way soon though. thanks for all the comments...

 

[bogard85]

well i got the machine.... it gets delivered on sunday if the weather is not bad....

im not sure what i am going to do as far as paperwork... theres some towns near me that dont require permits to put in an establishment. so im thinking i will try to put it in a location in one of those towns... i dont see this thing catching fire or falling on some kid... knock on wood... ive gone to hundreds of places with arcade machines and never heard a single story of one catching fire. as long as its inspected and well taken care of i think ill be ok. ill get u some pics once i find an establishment to put it in.... of course if it makes good money i will do it legally... until then this is a low budget under the table kinda thing.

 

[jawhn]

well i got the machine.... it gets delivered on sunday if the weather is not bad....

im not sure what i am going to do as far as paperwork... theres some towns near me that dont require permits to put in an establishment. so im thinking i will try to put it in a location in one of those towns... i dont see this thing catching fire or falling on some kid... knock on wood... ive gone to hundreds of places with arcade machines and never heard a single story of one catching fire. as long as its inspected and well taken care of i think ill be ok. ill get u some pics once i find an establishment to put it in.... of course if it makes good money i will do it legally... until then this is a low budget under the table kinda thing.

...Nothing like posting potentially illegal activity like this on the internet...

Good luck, man. Pins and needles!

 

[roothorick]

Man, this is EXACTLY the kind of thing I want to do. Good luck, and KEEP US POSTED!

 

[bogard85]

well this cabinet came in yesterday.... wow the pictures make it look much nicer than it is as far as condition.... the monitor is 100% gorgeous without any burn... im shocked on how nice it is for 20 years and 150,000 credits on the counter....

it came with a 6 slot with a few generics..... on the other hand the paint is in bad shape with various words written on it that i care not to repeat lol along with lots of dents and dings...... I spent the whole day yesterday learning about this cabinet since i never had a us cab, im a candy cab kinda guy... anyways i replaced all the buttons and sticks and started to repaint the cab... One side is nearly complete, only needing 1 or 2 more coats.. the other side i have yet to begin.... I had no choice but to go over the neo geo logo on the sides... I have a stencil though that i will spray a new one on with.... I will get u guys some pics tonight of my progress....