Advertise on podcast: FEC Masterminds Podcast

With a scheduled guest having to put out fires at their facility, Clint and Erik take over the mic for an open, tactical conversation covering the real-world operational challenges facing FEC owners and operators today. Clint kicks things off by sharing the behind-the-scenes reality of applying for an SBA loan to fund a second location, sparking a deep dive into capital financing. Erik breaks down why building genuine, long-term relationships with local bank lenders matters far more than just walking in with numbers, and how operators can properly prepare their finances before stepping onto trade show floors. From there, the two discuss the delicate timing of growth—exploring how small, incremental facility refreshes can pave the way for major attraction investments like coasters and kart tracks. They also examine the hidden pitfalls of adding new rides, from utility upgrades and maintenance training to dealing with local building inspectors and ride dynamics. Finally, Clint details the origin of his “Text to Ride” system, while Erik explains how adopting that single operational tweak helped trim six figures in annual staffing costs and elevate guest satisfaction. It’s an unfiltered, operator-to-operator masterclass on avoiding expensive mistakes, managing payroll, and scaling with confidence.

In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint sits down with Kyle Allison, owner of Altitude 1291 in Oklahoma City and a longtime IAAPA FEC committee leader, to talk through the realities of running and evolving a modern family entertainment center. Kyle shares insights from over 30 years in the industry, breaking down recent moves like swapping out VR for a high-energy, unmanned Pixel Floor, and how to introduce hot beverage trends like dirty sodas and mocktails while keeping ingredient costs strictly under control. They also dive into practical strategies for navigating unexpected market shifts—such as pivoting marketing outreach toward rural communities when local military base deployments cut into regular foot traffic—and how to maximize revenue per guest using targeted text drip campaigns, automated birthday party upsells, and a smarter look at arcade revenue per square foot. Whether you're fine-tuning an existing venue or planning your next location, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways for operators.

In Episode 16 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik head out to the Midwest to chat with Joe and Ben from Ziggy’s Funland. Starting from absolute scratch on a derelict, overgrown plot with hidden mini-golf holes and missing poles, Joe and Ben spent 19 years building Ziggy’s into a masterclass of space efficiency. In this episode, they break down how they pack a punch into just 3.4 acres—including an arcade split across two buildings based on ceiling height, an outdoor tactical laser tag arena, and a custom-brewed golden ale created in partnership with a local brewery. In this episode, we cover: The Ground-Up Build: How they cleared out an abandoned property with chainsaws to salvage 16 out of 18 buried mini-golf holes and built a thriving FEC from nothing. Seasonal Pivots & Haunted Trails: How they transform their 150,000-square-foot outdoor tactical laser tag field into a massive Halloween haunt that doubles attendance. Space-Saving Arcade Logistics: Managing low 36-inch doorways and 12-foot ceilings by strategically sorting tall and short games across dual buildings. Unique F&B and Community Touches: Partnering with a local brewery for an exclusive 5.3% golden ale and boosting birthday party engagement with a community Polaroid board. The ROI of Scares: Budgeting for low-cost pneumatics, utilizing intense jump scares, and hiring local talent to double haunt attendance year-over-year. Whether you’re looking to maximize a small footprint, execute a seasonal haunt, or learn how to squeeze every ounce of profit out of your acreage, this episode is packed with brilliant operator insights! Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In Episode 15 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Jeff England, the fourth-generation owner-operator of the legendary Neb’s Fun World in Oshawa, Ontario (just outside of Toronto). Unlike many operators who enter the industry from the outside, Jeff grew up as a "bowling rat" in a family business that spans four generations (with his kids already representing the fifth!). In this episode, Jeff takes us deep behind the scenes of how Neb’s Fun World has continuously evolved—including a massive COVID-era "Franken-building" construction project where they built a giant 53-foot-tall structure right over top of their old expansions to keep doors open. In this episode, we cover: Next-Level Theming: Why Jeff and his family decided 15 years ago to move away from "empty box" setups and turn Neb's into an immersive, indoor theme park experience. In-House Engineering & Software: How Jeff writes his own PLC logic, builds custom automatic scoring systems from scratch for their 52 bowling lanes, and creates unique ID-tag security doors for staff training. The Canadian Bowling Conundrum: How they built custom convertible machines that seamlessly handle both traditional Canadian five-pin and American ten-pin bowling on the same lanes. Reinventing Redemption: Why they ditched the traditional crowded retail store counter for a hybrid kiosk system that saves valuable square footage for money-making games while slashing labor bottlenecks. The Mansion & Future Expansion: An inside look at their massive 10,000 sq ft multi-level indoor expansion featuring a brand-new custom laser tag arena and a 46-person Triotech stand-up motion theater. Whether you’re looking to scale your footprint, rethink your arcade layout, or marvel at what operators can build when they roll up their sleeves, this episode is a masterclass in independent innovation! Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

Welcome back to another episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast! This week, Clint Novak and Erik Stottlemyer are joined by a special guest, Seth, the innovative third-generation operator of the historic Calvert Drive-In Theater. Seth took over a beloved Kentucky icon—a classic 1953 drive-in theater—and has been strategically transforming it from a simple, seasonal cinema into a dynamic, year-round Family Entertainment Center. In this episode, Seth breaks down the challenges, the wins, and the future of combining retro cinema nostalgia with modern FEC amenities. Tune in to learn: The Challenge of the Digital Shift: How Seth and his family navigated the costly transition from 35mm film to digital projection (and saved their screen in the process). Diversifying Revenue Streams: The critical decision to add a large indoor arcade in 2023, shifting the business model from seasonal to year-round and from night-only to all-day fun. Elevating the Food & Beverage Game: Why Seth brought in professional restaurant equipment (the legendary flat-top grill) and the massive payoff of offering high-quality food, like their popular $5 cheeseburgers, as a standalone destination. The InterCard Advantage: A deep dive into why Calvert Drive-In chose InterCard for their arcade operations, how it has improved cash management, and how the simplified system was designed with future cashless integration for food and gate entry in mind. Creating 365 Days of Revenue: Insights on balancing a 10,000 sq ft retro arcade with seasonal movie operations to maximize the footprint and profitability of their venue. Whether you operate a traditional bowling alley or arcade looking for new ideas, or are looking to reinvent a unique outdoor venue, Seth’s strategic pivot provides actionable lessons on diversifying for long-term success. Listen now! #FECMasterminds #CalvertDriveIn #DriveInTheater #FEC #ArcadeOperations #FoodAndBeverage #InterCard #Podcast

In Episode 13 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik welcome their very first female guest to the show—Sarah, the General Manager of The Factory Gulf Shores! Located right in the heart of the booming Alabama beach market, Sarah shares her incredible journey from starting out as a regular floor bouncer to climbing the ranks and managing a massive, family-owned entertainment destination. In this episode, we cover: The Path to GM: How Sarah worked her way up through the ranks, took a few "side quests" (including a stint as a student pilot flying gyrocopters!), and ultimately found her true calling back at the factory. Massive Facility Layout: A look inside their multi-faceted operation featuring main-court trampolines, massive climbing walls, a flight simulator, batting cages, and a booming arcade. The Pub Six Synergy: How partnering with an independent, on-site restaurant and bar (Pub Six) gives parents a place to relax and watch live feeds of the park while enjoying great food and drinks. Social Media Momentum: How Sarah teamed up with local creators to overhaul their social strategy, driving massive views on TikTok and organic foot traffic through creative tactics like hiding jump passes in the local mall. Weathering the Tourist Spikes: How an indoor air-conditioned facility handles the massive summer tourist rushes and rainy day floods in a bustling beach town. Whether you're managing seasonal staff, trying to crack the code on social media marketing, or looking for ways to enhance guest experience, this episode is packed with great operator insights! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In Episode 12 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Brian from Wisconsin's massive Metropolis Resorts. Transitioning from a family grocery and food service background that spans decades into the wild world of family entertainment, Brian takes us behind the scenes of building a 22-acre resort destination right off I-94 between Chicago and Minneapolis. In this episode, we cover: The Evolution of Metropolis: How a 55,000-square-foot fun center (Action City) grew into a massive 111-room hotel, indoor water park, and trampoline park ecosystem. The Independent Hotel Advantage: Why staying unflagged gives Brian's internal marketing team the freedom to drive custom campaigns without corporate franchise restrictions. Massive Expansions: An inside look at their current 55,000-square-foot expansion featuring a drop tower, spin coaster, new go-kart track, and 15 lanes of bowling. Unique Retail Strategy: Why treating their redemption counter like a high-end resort gift shop—where everything is available for cash or tickets—maximizes secondary spend. The Marketing Edge: Leveraging a deep background in digital marketing to insulate the resort from economic booms and busts. Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik ditch the formal guest format to go deep on the "spaghetti plate" of running an FEC business. From working booth duty at Fredericksburg Comic-Con to the absolute chaos of freight logistics, no topic is off-limits. In this episode, we cover: Community Engagement: Why physically showing up at local expos and Comic-Cons is worth the labor cost for brand recognition. The "Rewind" Project: A behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Planet Novak’s new retro arcade—including the battle for the perfect "Tron-esque" aesthetic. Logistics Nightmares: How a 52,000lb freight delivery disaster taught us that sometimes it's cheaper to just rent the forklift yourself. The Point-of-Sale Struggle: Why the industry is a "never-ending saga" of finding the right software to handle everything from membership databases to birthday bookings. Permitting & Resilience: Clint and Erik trade war stories about "illegal gambling" accusations and building permitted coasters without a county permit. Whether you’re dealing with ghost kitchens, broken lift gates, or just trying to stay sane while growing your empire, this episode is a reminder of why we do what we do: We sell fun. Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

How do you take a bankrupt go-kart track and turn it into an 18% year-over-year growth machine? In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik sit down with Dave from Grand Island Fun Center. Dave shares his journey of transitioning from a college student helping his dad at an auction to becoming a decade-long solo owner-operator. We go deep into the "outside perspective" of running an FEC—including the tough choices required to keep a park relevant. Dave pulls back the curtain on why he made the difficult decision to remove underperforming assets like batting cages and Water Wars, and how focusing on high-impact attractions like outdoor tactical laser tag helped shift his park’s reputation. Key Takeaways From This Episode: The Power of a Rebrand: How Dave overcame a "dump" stigma left by previous owners through new logos, signage, and targeted marketing. Asset Management: Why Dave decided to cut his losses on batting cages (saving on maintenance and liability) to focus on higher-ROI go-kart experiences. Ghost Kitchen Strategies: How Dave uses "Taste of the Fair" as a ghost kitchen on DoorDash to drive extra revenue without increasing on-site operational friction. The Hiring Edge: How Dave achieved an impressive 3.5-year average retention rate for seasonal staff—a rarity in the amusement industry. Connect with the Hosts: Clint Novak: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/ Erik Stottlemyer: https://www.adventureparkusa.com/ Listen & Subscribe: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to level up? Drop us a line or apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/

How do you stand out in a brutally crowded market of nineteen competing adventure parks? You throw out the corporate playbook, buy a drop-fog machine, and lean heavily into aggressive guerrilla marketing. In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint Novak and Erik Stottlemyer sit down with fellow mastermind member Ed, who is fresh off closing on his third family entertainment venue in Minnesota. Ed takes us behind the scenes of his 36-year journey in the amusement industry—starting from his early days as a roller rink DJ (where he was once fired and rehired by a different manager) to managing a rapid expansion across three vastly different venues: Zero Gravity (an indoor adventure park), Summerland (a seasonal 9-acre outdoor park), and his newest acquisition, The Fun Lab (a full-scale FEC). Key Takeaways From This Episode: The Turnaround Playbook: Why Ed views his venues as "reclamation projects" and the hard sacrifices required to pull off a successful business turnaround. The "Bring Your Own Food" Birthday Model: How cutting out pizza delivery pain points and letting parents bring in their own Costco or Little Caesars food allowed Zero Gravity to boost party capacity by 30% to 40%. WrestleMania-Style Birthdays: How Ed built an interactive Northern Lights party room with custom printed wall graphics and a ceiling-mounted down-shooting fog machine for under $4,000. The Pixel Floor Phenomenon: Ed’s experience as an early adopter of the operator-free Pixel Game Floor (by Laser Force), why it instantly paid for itself, and why he’s ripping out VR to install another one at his new location. Cross-Pollinating 100+ Employees: How Ed structures management and teams across a 75-mile geographical spread. The Radius Marketing Wave: How Ed and other mastermind members are achieving 6x to 8x ad spend returns on Meta and Google Ads using Radius. Plus, we talk about why roller rink operators make some of the best guerrilla marketers, the absolute power of close-knit mastermind networks, and the reality of living on "weenie water soup and ramen noodles" during a major business growth phase. Novak Amusement Solutions (Clint Novak):https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/ Adventure Park USA (Erik Stottlemyer):https://adventureparkusa.com/ Zero Gravity Adventure Park (Ed):https://www.zerogravitymn.com/ The Fun Lab (Ed):https://thefunlabmn.com/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 Are you an FEC owner looking to step up your operations, swap "gold nuggets" with other operators, and scale your business? Apply to join our off-the-air Mastermind calls by visiting Novak Amusement Solutions today!

Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes when the cameras are off? This week, Clint and Eric take a break from their usual guest format to swap stories from the trenches of the FEC world. From Eric’s 45-day stint living at the park (and his battle with a broken tractor at home!) to Clint’s dramatic border crossing struggles and deep dives into the Niagara Falls attraction scene, this episode is all about the real-life, chaotic, and hilarious side of being an operator. In this episode, we cover: The Spring Chaos: How to handle thousands of kids, staffing scrambles, and the "controlled chaos" of a busy season. The Wildcat Origin Story: A legendary tale of roller coaster acquisition that involves a Goodfellas-style cash deal, sandblasting in a parking lot, and the "worth-it" moments that make it all happen. Attraction Realities: The highs and lows of installing rides, from city ordinance battles and engineering mishaps to pivot points that saved the day. Operator Community: Why swapping stories is the heartbeat of this industry, and how you can join the conversation. Whether you’re currently facing your own operational hurdles or just love a good industry tale, grab a seat and join us. Want to share your own FEC story?We want to hear it! Email Clint at [email protected] to get your story on the show. And if you’re looking to join a group of operators who meet monthly to solve industry problems, check out the Novak Network at novakamusementsolutions.com.

Is it possible to take a backyard Nerf battle and scale it into a massive, highly profitable 15,000-square-foot Family Entertainment Center? In this episode of the FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Eric sit down with Richard from Dart'em Up in Austin, Texas to pull back the curtain on running a wildly successful, highly unique indoor Nerf battle arena. With nearly a decade in business—navigating a global pandemic and out-positioning massive regional competitors—Richard shares his exact blueprint for community marketing, building a bulletproof staff culture, and transitioning his brand into a franchise model. 👉 Turning a Passion into a Process: How Richard used his 30+ years of corporate retail and wireless communications experience to build a powerhouse FEC from the ground up.👉 The "Chick-fil-A" of Birthday Parties: The exact framework Dart'em Up uses to execute a jaw-dropping average of 115 birthday parties every single month.👉 Flipping the Script on Spirit Nights: Why giving away 50% of weekday admission back to local PTAs is actually the ultimate marketing engine for weekend party bookings.👉 Incorporating the "Fans First" Mentality: How implementing ideas from the Savannah Bananas (like choreographing floor-staff dances and using interactive window signs) completely revolutionized their guest experience.👉 The Journey to Franchising: What it actually takes to document your operations manual and scale a mid-sized FEC past your single market. If you've ever wondered how to deeply embed your business into your local community or how to maximize a single-attraction footprint, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways you can implement this week! 🎯 Learn more about Dart'em Up & Franchising:Website: https://dartemup.com/ 💡 Birthday University (Frank Price): http://birthdayuniversity.com/💡 IAAPA FEC Committee: https://www.iaapa.org/ Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly deep dives into the business of family entertainment! 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 What we cover in this episode:Industry Resources Mentioned:Listen to the FEC Masterminds Podcast on your favorite platform:

In this episode of The FEC Masterminds Podcast, we head to Longmont, Colorado, to sit down with Adam Schubert, the founder of Winner’s Circle. Adam shares his unique journey from a 21-year Air Force pilot career to becoming a first-time Family Entertainment Center owner. We dive into how he and his wife, Leslie, transformed a 28,000-square-foot facility into a multi-faceted destination featuring everything from gamified mini-golf and digitally scored axe throwing to an aviation-themed hidden speakeasy known as "The Hanger." Key topics include: The Power of Hidden Spaces: How turning underutilized storage into a revenue-generating speakeasy created a unique guest experience. Lessons in Ownership: Why buying their own equipment—rather than relying on revenue-share models—was critical to their success. Operational Challenges: Adam gets candid about the learning curve of the industry, including why they might reconsider gamified mini-golf in favor of expanding their high-performing arcade. Marketing & Community: Strategies for building awareness in a local market, including the "Summit Social" initiative and the importance of active outbound sales teams.

Welcome to Episode 5 of the FEC Masterminds Podcast! In this episode, Clint and Eric head down to the Kissimmee area of Orlando, Florida, to chat with Keith Smith from the Ice Factory. Keith shares his unique journey from being a 90s figure skater and DJ to running a massive 21,000-square-foot single-sheet ice facility. Unlike traditional rinks that focus heavily on competitive hockey, Keith treats his facility like a true Family Entertainment Center (FEC), prioritizing public skating, interactive games, and an epic visual atmosphere. We also dive into the monumental operational challenges of maintaining ice in the Florida heat and how Keith developed a revolutionary marketing automation tool for the FEC industry. In This Episode, We Discuss: The entertaining appeal of curling and how it is the one Olympic sport where insurance allows you to drink beer. Enhancing the customer experience by having staff tie rental skates, which ensures a proper fit and saves money on equipment wear and tear. Bringing a 90s DJ background to the ice with spectacular warehouse-style lighting, fog machines, and even indoor snow. The massive logistics of running an ice rink in Florida, including pulling 250 pounds of moisture per hour from the air and managing $30,000 monthly utility bills. Managing a large staff of 92 employees for a single-sheet rink to heavily prioritize customer service and interactions. The rising popularity of adult figure skating and the potential for 21-and-up late-night skate events. How Keith created "FEC Playbook" to automate marketing, manage lead follow-ups, and utilize AI voice and chat agents for family entertainment centers.

🚜 EPISODE 4: Eddie Richardson (Arena 5/9) In Episode 4 of The FEC Masterminds Podcast, Clint and Erik are joined by Eddie Richardson from Arena 5/9 Family Fun Zone. Arena 5/9 is known for hands-on, tactical, and interactive attractions, and they are gearing up to launch something entirely unique: 5/9 Excaventures. This brand-new attraction is an indoor sand arena where kids operate heavy-duty RC construction equipment like diggers and dump trucks. We ask the hard operational questions: How do you manage a massive amount of sand indoors? How do you keep RC equipment from breaking under heavy use? And how do you manage the nightmare of battery charging cycles on a busy Saturday? 👇 In this episode, we cover: An introduction to Arena 5/9 and their unique style of attractions. The inspiration behind the new 5/9 Excaventures RC sand arena. The operational headaches and maintenance realities of having indoor sand. Strategies for preventing RC vehicle breakage and managing constant battery cycles. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqjhH0o01j-QOfYaL_4xrxA 🎧 Listen on the go: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2klCyxlYbcGKFxdOQx15DV Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fec-masterminds-podcast/id1895404878 🌐 Connect with us: Need help with your FEC operations? Check out our consulting services: https://www.novakamusementsolutions.com/ Check out Arena 5/9: https://www.arena59.com/ Follow Clint on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-novak-1b26b551/ Follow Erik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-stottlemyer-62ba9254/ #FECOperations #AmusementIndustry #ArcadeBusiness #FamilyEntertainmentCenter #FECMasterminds #UniqueAttractions