I am interested in buying a bowling alley. There is one for sale in the small town I live in, but I have never owned a business before and going back to school is not an option for me. How do I learn to run a bowling alley?
2007-06-15 03:11:25 · 7 answers · asked by austinsmommie99 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Small Business
Talk to the owner- many, many times you can work it into the purchase agreement that the formet owner will stay around for 30-60-90 days to help train you on running your new business. Good luck!
2007-06-15 03:19:53 · answer #1 · answered by bmwdriver11 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to know how to run a business to be able to own one. All you have to know how to do is hire people that can run the business for you.
If you want to be hands on, I would recommend speaking with the manufacturer of the equipment in the bowling alley. Learn how to fix all of the routine problems yourself. Learn how to wax down the lanes. Learn how to fit a bowling ball to someone's hand. Learn how to bowl really well so you can teach classes. Learn the computer systems on the lanes for troubleshooting issues. You have to think about the issues you would encounter from ordering rental shoes to buying bowling balls to running the "pro-shop".
A bowling alley is retail, arcades, and bowling so really you have to know all 3 to be able to run a proper bowling alley.
2007-06-15 10:25:59 · answer #2 · answered by shortstop42000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally the best way to learn a business is to get some experience working in that industry for another employer. That's not something you do overnight. Why would you want to risk investing your money in something that you say you have no experience doing? That's really asking for trouble. Perhaps you could negotiate with the owner an option to buy the business after some reasonable period during which you could work in the business to answer some of these questions. He might do this in exchange for your free labor for that period. It would depend on whether he has other sale options.
2007-06-15 10:20:47 · answer #3 · answered by SDD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont reccomend a bowling alley, especially in a small town
2007-06-15 10:19:19 · answer #4 · answered by Japhy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is the format? Five pin, ten pin, duckpin, or candlepin?
Speak to the clientele, the house league execs, to determine if this venture is up your alley. You will need to get mechanics for the specific equipment (Brunswick, AMF, Dexter, Proscore etc.); also is there a snack counter, in-house pro shop? You will need to recruit professionals in the industry in your area to assist you in your decision. Good luck!
2007-06-15 13:14:48 · answer #5 · answered by make_it_memorable07 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best approach is to make arrangements for the current owner to stay involved for a few months as an advisor.
2007-06-15 12:05:51 · answer #6 · answered by jdkilp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could probably find some short term training seminar locally.
2007-06-15 10:18:57 · answer #7 · answered by xzfhzdf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋