How Arcades Really Make Money

Download the CFO's Guide for AI and Machine Learning for FREE at http://netsuite.com/ModernMBA The 1980s was the golden age of arcades as games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man captured the attention of millions in the U.S. But since the 2000s, arcades have been disappearing across the U.S. Customers have shifted their spend to home and handheld consoles which outclass arcades in convenience, value, and entertainment. Through the 90s, arcades were essential establishments for children and adults alike. Nowadays, the few still hanging on rely on alcohol and nostalgia to make ends meet. On paper, the broader physical entertainment industry seems doomed. Retail has been trending down since 2010 and the only sustainable businesses are big-name roller coasters and theme parks. But if we look beyond the numbers, arcades aren’t going extinct. Market transformation takes time and what’s happening now is a changing of the guard. There’s a new generation of companies that have shed the opportunistic, turnkey economics of the past and are building original entertainment experiences not replicable by any console or PC. In this Modern MBA Original, we’re diving into the futuristic business of arcades from the macro-to-micro, starting with the biggest arcade chains in Chuck E. Cheese and Dave & Buster’s all the way to two innovative startups in New York City who have made very different bets on the future of physical and digital entertainment. ============================= Featured Businesses ============================= 👾 OS NYC (Samer) https://www.os-nyc.com/   / os_newyorkcity   👾 1,000 BOXES (Gabe & Dave) https://1000boxes.game   / 1000boxes   ============================= Modern MBA Resources - these are the tools that we’ve vetted and use to fuel our growth. ============================= 💰 Find the best credit card for you (60 secs, 5 questions, no email required): https://cards.moneymatchup.com/modern... 🚗 Get the cheapest car insurance: https://secure.moneymatchup.com/auto-mba 👉 Invest with a full 1% transfer bonus with Public: https://secure.moneymatchup.com/publi... 👉 Save 30% on first 6 months of QuickBooks: https://secure.moneymatchup.com/quick... 👉 Get $100 cash when you run payroll with Gusto: https://secure.moneymatchup.com/gusto... 👉 Launch your side hustle with a LLC for $0 https://secure.moneymatchup.com/zenbu... ============================= Support Modern MBA - we're 100% independent, self-funded, and committed to making business education free to all. ============================= ☕ Tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/modernmba ☕ Patreon:   / modernmba   🤳🏻 TikTok:   / modernmba   🤳🏻 Instagram:   / modern.mba   🤳🏻 Reddit:   / modernmba