Sam,
I went to the Dallas location, but have it on my list to go see the new one in Allen. I suspect they learned a few things with the first ones. For one, the miniature golf course, with its Trumpesque waterfall and the batting cages were about 10% full, while there was an astounding 20 minute wait to get a tee space.
Double deck, 60 stations total, average of 3+ people per station. Full nearly all day. So, 200 golfers per hour. Games $6 each, and take half an hour. $36 an hour times 60 stations x 12 hour days on weekends. That's $25K per day on weekends, and maybe half or less on five weekdays, or close to $100K per week, times say 40 weeks in DFW. And that doesn't count F and B. Construction debt might equal a full golf course, though! Expenses probably a little less.
Nice business, and nice entree to golf. A shining star, I think, although some would say its just an upscale version of the old double deck lighted driving ranges, and the fad might soon pass. Time will tell.
The indoor range went out of biz. I think it featured video, like playing shots into screesn showing Pebble Beach, etc.
I really think the non golf element - the friendly competition, the scoring and instant feedback, the F and B, the party atmosphere are what sells it and sets it apart. Playing PB on a video screen isn't quite as satisfying as the competition of playing your buddy and beating him.
The other part is the setup - these dartboard greens are at 25, 50, 125, 160, 180 and goal posts at 250 for your drive target. Beginners can choose to hit at the 25 or 50 yard targets all day long and come away with a few points for their team on a regular basis. The better golfers can try to rack up bigger point totals by aiming for the more distant greens, but with a greater chance of getting zero points, so everyone can chip in, not unlike a scramble. Instead of multiple tees to control length, its multiple targets.
Just a lot of fun, and they do have a separated area for the dedicated practice guys. I saw it was full too, but was only about four players wide.