Every family entertainment center (FEC) starts as an idea and a blank page. Between the idea and opening day there are many decisions. This guide puts them in order. It follows the same steps that FUNCO uses on its projects.
1. Study the market and the site
Start with the people, not the attractions. Find out who lives, works and shops near the site. Count the families with children, look at their ages, and see which other entertainment is close.
- How many people pass the site each day?
- Which ages are the largest group?
- Which FECs, parks and cinemas are near, and what do they offer?
- Is the site easy to reach, with parking or good public transport?
2. Choose the concept and the audience
The concept is the big idea of your center: a theme, a story and a target age group. A clear concept makes the design, the marketing and the branding easier. Many FUNCO centers have their own theme and mascot, such as Buzz at Go Fun in Qatar.
Read about immersive theming and mascots and characters.
How FUNCO designs a family entertainment center →
3. Choose the entertainment mix
Choose an anchor attraction and the support attractions around it. Make sure every age in a family has something to do. Our guide to FEC attractions explains each option.
4. Make a feasibility study and a business plan
A feasibility study tests the idea with numbers before you spend money on design and fit-out. It covers:
- The investment (CAPEX): design, fit-out, equipment, licences and pre-opening costs.
- The running costs (OPEX): rent, staff, power, maintenance and marketing.
- The income: entry, games, parties, food and drinks.
- The cash flow and the time to pay back the investment.
A family entertainment center consultant can prepare this study with you. FUNCO’s turnkey service includes the feasibility study, the business plan, the cash flow, the location evaluation and the market study.
5. Secure the site
Check the space before you sign the lease. For an FEC, these points are important:
- The floor area and shape, and the position of the columns.
- The ceiling height. Trampolines, climbing and rides need more height.
- The floor load for heavy equipment.
- The power supply, the air conditioning and the fire exits.
- The mall rules: opening hours, noise, signs and fit-out rules.
6. Design the center
Design turns the concept into drawings that a contractor can build. The usual stages are:
- Concept design: the theme, the mood and the first layout.
- Schematic design: the zones, the visitor flow and the position of each attraction.
- Detailed design: exact drawings, materials, finishes and graphics.
- MEP design: the mechanical, electrical and plumbing design: air conditioning, power, lights and water.
See how FUNCO works in FEC design.
7. Get the licences and approvals
An FEC needs a trade licence for the activity and approvals for the fit-out, including fire and life safety. In the UAE, the list depends on the emirate, on whether the site is in a free zone or on the mainland, and on the rules of the mall. Start early: approvals can decide your opening date.
8. Build the fit-out and install the equipment
The fit-out builds the walls, floors, ceilings, theming, lights and services. Then the attractions are delivered, installed and tested. Safety comes first: install each attraction to the maker’s instructions, and check it before visitors use it.
Read interior fit-out essentials and safety in FEC design, or see FEC build and FEC supply.
9. Hire and train the team
Your team runs the guest experience. Hire early, and train the staff on each attraction, on safety, on first aid, on the ticket system and on customer service. Plan the birthday party process too: parties are often a large part of the income.
10. Open, then improve
Plan a soft opening before the public opening, so the team can practise. After opening, measure visits, income per visitor and guest feedback, and change what does not work. FUNCO’s operations service includes pre-opening and post-opening audits.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing attractions before you know your visitors.
- Signing a lease before you check the ceiling height, the columns and the power.
- No anchor attraction, or too many small attractions.
- Too little space for seats, cafés and party rooms.
- Leaving licences and approvals too late.
- No budget for marketing before opening.
Ready to start? FUNCO designs, builds and supplies family entertainment centers in the UAE, the GCC and beyond. Tell us about your project.
Frequently asked questions
The cost depends on the size of the site, the attractions, the level of theming and the fit-out. A feasibility study gives a real budget for your site. Ask FUNCO for a study for your project.
Yes. Banks, investors and mall landlords usually ask for one. It also shows you, before you spend, whether the center can make money.
There is no single right size. Small centers fit in a mall unit. Large standalone centers have big anchors such as trampolines or bowling. Start from your visitors and your budget, then find a site that fits the concept.
Yes. FUNCO offers turnkey solutions: market study, feasibility, concept, design, fit-out, equipment supply, staff recruitment, and pre-opening and post-opening support.
