Economic Indicators (the Tasty Kind) by Jack Guarnieri, Jersey Jack Pinball & PinballSales.com “It’s the economy, stupid,” is a phrase coined by Clinton campaign strategist James Carville in 1992. And, it’s certainly relevant today. If it’s not on your business mind, it’s on your personal mind. Seemingly, there are rising prices on everything and no relief is in sight. How are you and your business coping with the current economy? Are you raising your prices to keep up with your rising costs? I’m no economist but it seems that The Fed is famously behind the curve and trying to catch…
Author: RePlay Editor
A Few Things Along the Way By George McAuliffe, President, Pinnacle Entertainment Group I’m happy to report that Bowl Expo 2022, held in Las Vegas, was a big success. The most fun for me was walking into the convention center and seeing the industry action and attendee enthusiasm. From our perspective as an exhibitor, it was one of our most successful Bowl Expos, partly because of our latest venture featuring the 1huddle app (more on that further along in this column). A Lot of Speculation on the Economy We spoke with several operators who have seen sales soften in May…
Editorial Inflation –– the “issue du jour” in America (if you set aside Ukraine, the Supreme Court, heat waves and some other stuff) –– is a two-sided coin, and both of those sides can be troublesome. In business, the two sides known as “money in vs. money out” are both subject to the effects of galloping prices (e.g. salaries that are paid by what’s in the cash box). If what you spend gets a little too close to even-Steven, you’re dancing on the razor blade, which is what FDR might have called the “fear” to be avoided. Now, in what…
Harmoney Joins the Jukebox & ATM Uniting Route Staples With an Eye on New Location Opportunities A joint venture between Legacy Coin-Operated Distributors and Venco Business Solutions, the new “music and money” Harmoney machine combines a TouchTunes Fusion jukebox with Genmega’s Onyx-W ATM. (harmony and money, get it?) The patent-pending product was dreamed up some three years ago by Ed Chermak, Legacy’s executive vice president. He first took the idea to industry friend and ATM specialist John Newberry, owner of Venco Business Solutions, who wasn’t so sure about it at the time. Obviously, something about the concept stuck with Newberry…
Set to open this fall in Austin, Texas, a new mini-golf experience called Dirdie Birdie is in the works. According to Austin CultureMap, it’ll be the city’s first indoor course, featuring 12 one-of-a-kind, Austin-themed mini-golf holes. A restaurant and full bar directed by Chef Nicholas Yanes and his Excelsior management group will also be on hand. The 9,500-sq.-ft. indoor-outdoor venue is owned by Vik and Lina Khasat. “We are so thrilled to bring this concept to Austin,” they said. “The Dirdie Birdie combines all of our favorite things, elevated food and drink mixed with an amazing interactive experience. We are…
Arrowhead Towne Center in Glendale, Arizona, will soon be home to the Phoenix area’s first Round1 Bowling & Amusement location, according to ABC15. The mall’s owner Macerich Co. announced it signed a lease with the company for an 83,114-sq.-ft. space in the Arrowhead Towne Center. The location will have the usual Round1 fare, including an arcade, bowling, basketball, batting cages, trampolines, dodgeball, billiards and more. Round1 has another Arizona location in Tucson. Learn more at www.round1usa.com.
Queen is one of the most iconic bands in rock history and now, Pinball Brothers and the band have announced they’re launching a pinball machine, Queen – Live in Concert. The new pin, the second to come from Pinball Brothers, will be available in two editions, Rhapsody (with unique add-ons and limited to 1,000 units) and Champions. Production begins in September and the plans are to deliver the first Rhapsody Edition (pictured) game that month. (Champions Edition games should be available in the first quarter of 2023.) The factory said it worked with the band to ensure their approval and…
Betson Enterprises team members recently joined staff from Jersey Cares in Carlstadt, N.J., to fill over 50 bags for Veterans experiencing homelessness with necessities such as first aid kits, hygiene products, rain ponchos, flashlights and other items. The volunteers also created no-sew fleece blankets to provide the vets with warmth and comfort during the winter. All of the completed Veterans Hope Packs will be donated to Backpacks for Life, a group started in 2014 that is dedicated to serving homeless and at-risk veterans through backpack distribution and a mentorship program. Jersey Cares, an affiliate of the global Points of Light Network,…
The latest edition of RePlay is hitting mailboxes and features news and pictures from Bowl Expo as well as a cover story on the Harmoney jukebox/ATM combo that’s the brainchild of Legacy Coin-Op’s Ed Chermak and Venco’s John Newberry. Also featured: FEC operators sound off on inflation’s impact, RePlay talks with Scott Heit whose FEC Financial Group specializes in credit card processing for the industry, and Laserforce fills readers in on their redemption program for laser tag coming to their Gen8 system this fall. If you’re not already a subscriber, how about zipping over to our website and signing up…
Stern Pinball wowed attendees of the annual San Diego, Calif., Comic-Con International event with appearances by rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and legendary comic artist Todd McFarland. The pinball maker once again set up a mini pinball arcade at their booth annual comic enthusiast show held at the San Diego Convention Center from July 21-24. Stern’s Zach Sharpe said Osbourne’s appearance was historic and record-breaking. “He set a record for the largest signing on the convention room floor with fans lined up for hours alongside iconic artist, Todd McFarlane,” he said. It was a big deal indeed with the Stern…