Revenue Operations: Bundling Gaming and Food

In entertainment venues, food and games are no longer separate silos. The smartest operators are bundling the bite with the beeps, using value driven packages that elevate the guest experience and increase visit frequency and spend.

When done right, this isn’t just upselling, it creates memorable moments that satisfy both hunger and curiosity.

Here’s the core truth: food often has tighter margins. Games, on the other hand, are more profitable and act as a magnet for engagement. When bundled thoughtfully, the profit margin on the whole experience rises, and so does customer satisfaction.

A package that might start with a $10 burger can evolve into a $25 per head visit when games are added in a strategic fashion.

To illustrate how this plays out, we will use the Grapevine, Texas, market as an example. With nearly 43% of households earning more than $100k and casual and fast-casual dining dominating the local scene, guests are accustomed to having options. Within a three-mile radius, there are more than 300 restaurants and a young, diverse population (median age: 33.6 years old) that values variety and experience.

This is where data driven decisions shine. Operators should use information already available to them as the starting point. For example, suppliers like US Foods, will often offer market reports free of charge. In fact, many larger food vendors will offer this market research at no charge—however operators need to ask for it.

For guests that are value conscious, consider offering a bundled games and food deal with a clear savings message. For example: “Get $10 in games when you buy any (burger, dinner, etc.)” will resonate. A premium pairing—such as artisan pizza and VR play—might perform better in a higher income area or pockets seeking experiences, like Grapevine, Texas.

But, how much game time do you give? That depends on what type of experience you want them to have. A quick visit? Add $5-$10 in gameplay. Looking to keep families onsite for 45 minutes or more? Build a $50+ package that stretches from lunch to leaderboard.

The nuance matters. Operators need to understand they are not feeding everyone with the same cookie cutter solution. This isn’t a recycled promo pulled from a national binder—it’s a custom value proposition influenced by actual guest demographics, spending patterns, and dining trends. That’s how FEC operators earn profit and loyalty. And let’s be honest, FEC operators want both.

Using local reports—like the Grapevine, Texas, data—can guide owners on what package to build. Savvy FEC owners know how many families live nearby; understand the income bands; restaurant density; and population age mix.

Look around: Ask if burger package joints and delivery chains are in the surrounding area. By leaning into the data that is already available and offering packages with a twist, operators can see greater returns.

Games drive energy. Food drives comfort. Together, they create a reason for guests to come back. The best strategy is not just blending food and fun; it’s building a package that feels like it was made just for them … because it was.