Building a Professional Bowling Alley
Building a professional bowling alley in the UK usually costs between £150,000 – £600,000. The overall cost depends on 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.
Costs and Revenue
- A game will cost each person between $2 and $5.
- Shoe rentals are between $3 and $6 per person.
- The average bowling alley can make about $36,750 per lane annually.
Starting a Bowling Alley
Building your own bowling alley can save money and provide quality time with friends and family.
Follow these steps to start a bowling alley:
- Create a business plan and secure financing
- Develop a strong branding strategy with a memorable name, logo, and marketing materials
- Build relationships with local bowling leagues to advertise your new business
- Focus on entertainment, not just bowling, in your product and equipment offerings
- Find a trusted advisor to help guide you in the industry
- Buying an existing alley can save on construction costs, which range from $40,000 to $100,000 per lane.
The bowling industry generates an annual average revenue of $6 billion with 2.5% annual growth.
Bowling alley startup steps include:
- Understanding industry data
- Creating a promotion and marketing plan targeting families seeking entertainment
- Investing in entertainment-focused equipment
Start by building a frame for your bowling lane using resized two-by-fours and plywood. Install bowling equipment, bumper guards, and regulation lane size to mimic a real bowling alley environment.