H.I.G. Capital, an investment firm with $50 billion of equity capital under management, has announced that one of its affiliates has completed the acquisition of Family Entertainment Group. H.I.G. is partnering with George Smith, FEG’s founder and CEO, as well as the current management team, to “provide support and resources to take advantage of the company’s significant strategic growth initiatives across a large and rapidly growing end market.” “We are thrilled to embark on the company’s next chapter of growth through our partnership with H.I.G.,” Smith said. “This partnership will allow us to continue investing in the technology and equipment…
Author: Matt Harding
The Bowl Arena and Ten Pin Lounge in West Hazelton, Pennsylvania, closed recently after 63 years in operation. According to WNEP, the alley opened in 1959. A Facebook post from April 18 said, “It’s time to say goodbye.” The center was owned by the Pecora family for all of its existence and its current Pecora operators (Bob, Pat and Miriam) said it’s time to retire, as they’re in their 70s and 80s. “As owners of the Bowl Arena we were fortunate and blessed to have shared these years with you all!” they wrote. “We have formed best friend relationships, been…
An entertainment center for kids and families called Expressway Food and Fun recently opened in Sophia, W.V. According to the Register-Herald, owner-operator Gary Mills expressed his desire to give back to his community. “We’ve been in business with Mills Floor Covering and Epoxy for 29 years and we just felt it was time to give back to the community by giving the local kids somewhere safe to have fun,” he said. The venue has an assortment of arcade games, a bounce house, a NASCAR simulator and an ice cream parlor.
Kai Lee, a general manager at Komuse America, has resigned from the company, reports its president Satinder Bhutani. Her last day will be July 30. “Kai was a very valuable and key employee at Komuse America and will be dearly missed,” Bhutani wrote, asking that everyone join the Komuse team in “wishing Ms. Kai the very best in her life.” Sunny Min will now take over accounting-related matters for the company. She can be reached at 310-872-3586, ext. 0 or at [email protected]. Bhutani can be reached at [email protected].
AAMA’s Annual Meeting & Gala will be held Sept. 19-23 at the Westin in Lombard, Illinois. Click here to register. The members-only event will have networking opportunities as well as chances to preview new products and learn. Scheduled to speak so far are Doreen Burse (United Airlines), Joe Camarota (Alpha Omega Sales), Pete Gustafson (AAMA) and John Russell (Dentons). The Gala Dinner will honor the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award winner Bob Geschine of H. Betti Industries. There will also be a tour of Scene75 and an event at Puttshack. Email [email protected] to learn more.
John LaSpina, president of Maple Family Centers, was given the 59th Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award during Bowl Expo in Las Vegas last month. “It’s humbling to be included on this long list of industry icons,” LaSpina said. Since 1960, Maple Family Centers has been owned and operated by three generations of the LaSpina family. John LaSpina grew up in the business, and his adult children have joined him today in operating the company’s five bowling centers. “The reasons for choosing John for this award are many,” said Johnny Campos, chair of the award committee. “Our goal is…
Sloan and Josh Dalley, owners of Envision Escape Rooms, are now the new owners of Deleta Skating & Family Fun Center in Pocatello, Idaho. According to the Idaho State Journal, their original business opened in September and has garnered quite a following in the Pocatello area. Their plan is reportedly to keep the roller rink, make some cosmetic upgrades and add two or three escape rooms in the building’s attic. Plans are to open those in August. Learn more on their website at www.envisionescaperoomsidaho.com.
BumbleBear Games, makers of Killer Queen, released another beta for the game – version 17.22 – on July 15. To turn on the new beta, operators should press the “Service” button behind the Blue Coin Mech; navigate to “Boot Into Beta” and press the queen jump button; and then the game will restart and you can toggle through the maps to see the new Twilight maps to confirm you’re on the correct beta. (You can also press the “Service” button again to check the version number.) Any questions can be directed to [email protected]. You can also click here to sign…
Party Center Software recently announced their latest resource, No Unhappy Customers: 6 Ways to Prevent or Diffuse Conflict at Your FEC, which is available to download here. The ebook’s goal is to help FEC owners start building a successful conflict management plan. The company also has a live webinar scheduled for July 28 at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The complimentary webinar is called Emergency Planning: Q&A with FEC Management Experts on How to Handle Tech, Facility & Customer Issues. Click here to register for free or visit www.partycentersoftware.com.
In another historic first, says the National ATM Council, the U.S. House has voted to include the Payment Choice Act within the 2022-23 National Defense Authorization Act, which passed by a 329-101 bipartisan vote on July 14. The Payment Choice Act requires all brick-and-mortar retail businesses to continue allowing consumers nationwide to pay with cash for purchases of goods and services up to $2,000. “The National ATM Council extends its sincerest thanks and appreciation to Representatives Don Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), John Rose, (R-TN), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Jesus Garcia (D-IL), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Warren Davidson (R-OH) and Nikema Williams (D-GA), who together…