Bowling Centers Revenue Benchmarks
The average bowling centers business in the United States generates $942K in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 2,767 bowling centers businesses in the U.S., employing 49,067 workers with an average profit margin of 12.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $25K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Bowling Centers Business Actually Do?
Bowling alleys — from traditional 12–24 lane centers to modern entertainment complexes with arcade, restaurant, bar, and event spaces. Family Entertainment Center (FEC) model is displacing traditional bowling.
Who buys: League bowlers (recurring revenue), families for parties, corporate events, casual walk-ins.
Average Revenue
$942K
per year
Profit Margin
12.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$53K
per year
Total Businesses
2,767
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$113K
small business avg
Labor Cost
40.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$25K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
0.8
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Bowling Centers Charge?
Bowling centers charge per game, per hour, or by lane rental — with food/beverage as a major secondary revenue.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Per game (weekday) | $4–8/game |
Per game (weekend/prime) | $6–12/game |
Hourly lane rental (up to 6 players) | $25–60/hour |
Shoe rental | $4–7 per pair |
League membership (10–35 weeks) | $150–600/season |
Kids birthday party package | $200–500 |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete bowling centers business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a bowling centers business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the bowling centers industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Production & performer costs | $14 | $136K | Talent fees, equipment rentals, production supplies, licensing/royalties. |
Wages & benefits | $40 | $377K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $10 | $90K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $5 | $45K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $19 | $181K | Insurance, ticketing fees, venue maintenance, security. |
Net profit | $12 | $113K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
11.9%
openings/year
Closure Rate
9.33%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+7.8%
annual
Businesses Closed
5,419
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Bowling Centers Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
16 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a bowling centers business do?
- Bowling alleys — from traditional 12–24 lane centers to modern entertainment complexes with arcade, restaurant, bar, and event spaces. Family Entertainment Center (FEC) model is displacing traditional bowling. League bowlers (recurring revenue), families for parties, corporate events, casual walk-ins.
- How much do bowling centers charge?
- Bowling centers charge per game, per hour, or by lane rental — with food/beverage as a major secondary revenue. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average bowling centers make per year?
- The average bowling centers business generates $942K in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $113K per year at a 12.0% profit margin.
- How many bowling centers businesses are there in the US?
- There are 2,767 bowling centers businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 49,067 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a bowling centers business?
- Startup costs for a bowling centers business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the bowling centers industry?
- The average employee in the bowling centers industry earns $25K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The bowling centers industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 7.8% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (11.9% entry vs 9.3% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 61% of bowling centers businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 5,419 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the bowling centers industry earns $25,063/year. This is below the national average of ~$65K — typical for this sector. With 3,433 establishments employing 68,222 people, the typical business has about 20 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The bowling centers industry has grown 33% since 2000 (from 44,720 to 59,619 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Bowling Centers revenue with other industries: