Thinking about launching your own Activate Games location? Below, we break down the real-world investment ranges, ongoing fees, and profit forecasts—plus three owner stories that prove how quickly the numbers can work in your favor. Every figure is pulled from our 100+ global Pixelverse sites, so you can build a rock-solid business plan before signing a lease.
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Franchise Snapshot at a Glance
Initial Investment Range: US $180,000 – US $350,000
Average Payback Period: 10–16 months
Average EBITDA Margin Year 2: 28–34 %
Royalty: 6 % of gross sales
Marketing Fund: 2 % of gross sales -
Startup Budget Line-by-Line
a. Territory & Franchise Fee – US $45,000
Secures an exclusive radius of 75,000 residents and includes initial training, site-selection support, and access to the Pixelverse Activate Games content library.
b. Equipment Package – US $95,000 – US $200,000
• 4–6 interactive game rooms (LED reaction walls, projection floors, AR dodgeball)
• Lighting & audio upgrade kits
• Server, tablets, POS integration
Freight and installation are bundled; no hidden wiring costs.
• 4–6 interactive game rooms (LED reaction walls, projection floors, AR dodgeball)
• Lighting & audio upgrade kits
• Server, tablets, POS integration
Freight and installation are bundled; no hidden wiring costs.
c. Build-Out & Décor – US $25,000 – US $60,000
Open-concept industrial look with epoxy floors, black ceilings, and RGB accent strips. Pixelverse supplies CAD drawings and GC introductions to control spend.
Open-concept industrial look with epoxy floors, black ceilings, and RGB accent strips. Pixelverse supplies CAD drawings and GC introductions to control spend.
d. Pre-Opening Marketing – US $8,000 – US $12,000
Grand-opening influencer packages, geo-fenced Instagram ads, and 5,000 free-play cards to seed word-of-mouth.
Grand-opening influencer packages, geo-fenced Instagram ads, and 5,000 free-play cards to seed word-of-mouth.
e. Working Capital – US $7,000 – US $33,000
Covers first three months of payroll, utilities, and lease until breakeven.
Covers first three months of payroll, utilities, and lease until breakeven.
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Revenue Model & ROI Timeline
Session Length: 75 minutes
Average Ticket (walk-in): US $25
Average Ticket (birthday/corporate): US $35
Peak Capacity: 120 players per day
Conservative Scenario (Tier-2 city, 5,000 ft²)
Month 1–3: 25 % capacity → US $38 k revenue
Month 4–6: 45 % capacity → US $68 k revenue
Month 7–12: 60 % capacity → US $90 k revenue
Cumulative cash-flow positive at month 11.
Month 1–3: 25 % capacity → US $38 k revenue
Month 4–6: 45 % capacity → US $68 k revenue
Month 7–12: 60 % capacity → US $90 k revenue
Cumulative cash-flow positive at month 11.
Optimistic Scenario (Tier-1 suburb, 7,500 ft²)
Month 1–3: 40 % capacity → US $75 k revenue
Month 4–6: 65 % capacity → US $122 k revenue
Month 7–12: 80 % capacity → US $150 k revenue
ROI achieved in month 10.
Month 1–3: 40 % capacity → US $75 k revenue
Month 4–6: 65 % capacity → US $122 k revenue
Month 7–12: 80 % capacity → US $150 k revenue
ROI achieved in month 10.
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Ongoing Costs You Should Know
• Royalty: 6 % collected weekly via POS integration—simple and transparent.
• Marketing Fund: 2 % pooled for national campaigns, seasonal creative, and TikTok trend boosts.
• Insurance: US $2,200–US $3,100 annually (general + participant liability).
• Game Content Updates: US $0—new levels and holiday skins are pushed automatically to every Activate Games franchise at no extra charge. -
Financing Options
Pixelverse has preferred SBA lenders and equipment-leasing partners that cover up to 85 % of the total investment. Typical terms: 10-year loan at prime + 2.75 %, meaning monthly payments around US $2,100 on a US $200 k project—well within cash-flow projections above. -
Success Stories
Case 1: Sarah L., Austin TX
Investment: US $220 k (5,200 ft² inline space)
Month 6 Revenue: US $94 k
Month 12 Revenue: US $142 k
ROI: 14 months
Key Tactic: Corporate team-building nights on Tuesday–Thursday, raising weekday occupancy from 25 % to 58 %.
Investment: US $220 k (5,200 ft² inline space)
Month 6 Revenue: US $94 k
Month 12 Revenue: US $142 k
ROI: 14 months
Key Tactic: Corporate team-building nights on Tuesday–Thursday, raising weekday occupancy from 25 % to 58 %.
Case 2: Miguel & Ana R., Valencia Spain
Investment: US $185 k (converted warehouse)
Month 8 Revenue: US $88 k
Month 18 Revenue: US $176 k
ROI: 12 months
Key Tactic: Influencer “after-hours lock-ins” streamed to Twitch, generating 1.2 M views and a 300 % spike in advance bookings.
Investment: US $185 k (converted warehouse)
Month 8 Revenue: US $88 k
Month 18 Revenue: US $176 k
ROI: 12 months
Key Tactic: Influencer “after-hours lock-ins” streamed to Twitch, generating 1.2 M views and a 300 % spike in advance bookings.
Case 3: Group Investment, Toronto ON
Three friends pooled US $310 k for a flagship 8,000 ft² site.
Month 10 Revenue: US $205 k
Month 24 Revenue: US $410 k
ROI: 11 months
Key Tactic: Birthday-party upsells—exclusive room rental + pizza packages at US $42 per guest with 72 % attach rate.
Three friends pooled US $310 k for a flagship 8,000 ft² site.
Month 10 Revenue: US $205 k
Month 24 Revenue: US $410 k
ROI: 11 months
Key Tactic: Birthday-party upsells—exclusive room rental + pizza packages at US $42 per guest with 72 % attach rate.
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How to Get Started
Step 1: Fill out the 60-second franchise form on pixelverse.com/activate-franchise
Step 2: Schedule a 30-minute virtual call—review territory map and financials
Step 3: Receive FDD, attend Discovery Day in Orlando, and sign within 30 days
Step 4: Site selection, CAD layout, and permit assistance begin immediately
Step 5: 10-day owner training at headquarters + on-site grand-opening support -
Common Questions (Quick Answers)
Q: Do I need prior arcade or fitness experience?
A: No. 60 % of our owners come from corporate backgrounds; we provide full ops playbooks.
Q: Can I add new game rooms later?
A: Yes. All Activate Games modules are plug-and-play; expand without closing existing rooms.
A: Yes. All Activate Games modules are plug-and-play; expand without closing existing rooms.
Q: What if my market already has a trampoline park?
A: Perfect. Our data show trampoline parks increase FEC footfall by 18 % after adding Pixelverse Activate Games zones—co-marketing agreements welcome.
A: Perfect. Our data show trampoline parks increase FEC footfall by 18 % after adding Pixelverse Activate Games zones—co-marketing agreements welcome.
Conclusion
An Activate Games franchise is one of the few business models where the startup budget is transparent, the payback is measurable, and the fun factor sells itself. From turnkey equipment packages to lifetime content updates, Pixelverse removes the guesswork so you can focus on growing a community of players who keep coming back—and bringing friends. Download the full Investment Guide today and start your 14-month journey to profitability.
An Activate Games franchise is one of the few business models where the startup budget is transparent, the payback is measurable, and the fun factor sells itself. From turnkey equipment packages to lifetime content updates, Pixelverse removes the guesswork so you can focus on growing a community of players who keep coming back—and bringing friends. Download the full Investment Guide today and start your 14-month journey to profitability.
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