Shaffer Distributing
Shaffer Distributing is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor (founded 1929) of arcade games, redemption equipment, vending machines, VR attractions, and harm-reduction vending machines, serving Family Entertainment Centers, commercial vending operators, and home-entertainment buyers across the U.S. and Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Shaffer Distributing does
Shaffer Distributing is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor (founded 1929) that supplies new and refurbished arcade games, redemption equipment, digital jukeboxes, vending machines, micro-market solutions, and virtual reality attractions to commercial operators across the United States and Canada. Its customer base centers on Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), commercial vending operators, and a smaller home-entertainment consumer segment, with named customers including Pizza Ranch, The HUB Stadium, Pinheads Entertainment Center, and B&B Theatres. The company also operates a niche public-health vertical through Harm Reduction Vending Machines (four SKUs ranging from a 54-unit indoor unit to a 150-unit outdoor refrigerated model) developed in partnership with Wayne State University's Center for Behavioral Health and Justice, with 350+ placements and 20,000+ Naloxone kits distributed.
The business model is primarily hardware resale and distribution, augmented by professional services. Shaffer carries inventory from leading manufacturers (Andamiro, Raw Thrills, SEGA, ICE Games, LAI Games, Stern Pinball, Bandai Namco, Bay Tek, Rilix) and layers on consultation, game-room design, logistics, installation, and spare-parts service. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; financing and leasing are offered through third-party partners such as Firstlease (0%-3.9% financing on Jurassic World games) and LAI Games (lease deals starting at $317/month). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales supported by a regional territory model (Columbus OH, Cleveland OH, Dallas TX, Kansas City MO) and event-driven demand generation through IAAPA Expo, Bowl Expo, Amusement Expo, and Amusement 360.
The company is privately held and employee-owned, with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or external funding. It operates from a single Columbus headquarters with 51-100 employees. Revenue, profitability, and ownership-equity mechanics are not publicly disclosed, and the firm has no app, API, SDK, or disclosed AI/ML capabilities; its competitive differentiation rests on distribution scale, manufacturer relationships, and nine-plus decades of operator relationships rather than proprietary technology.
Shaffer Distributing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shaffer Distributing
- Legal name
- Shaffer Distributing
- Website
- https://shafferdistributing.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Shaffer Distributing is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor (founded 1929) of arcade games, redemption equipment, vending machines, VR attractions, and harm-reduction vending machines, serving Family Entertainment Centers, commercial vending operators, and home-entertainment buyers across the U.S. and Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shaffer Distributing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Amusement and Vending Equipment Distribution
- NAICS
- Amusement Arcades (71312), Vending Machine Operators (445132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Route Operations & Distributed Gaming (Bars, Convenience, Truck Stops) (MPAEAJAG)
Keywords
Where Shaffer Distributing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Shaffer Distributing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Amusement Equipment Sales: Sale of new and pre-owned arcade games, redemption equipment, and entertainment machines from leading manufacturers in North America. Includes both commercial FEC equipment and home entertainment products.
- Vending Equipment Sales: Distribution of vending machines and spare parts from all major manufacturers, including used and refurbished equipment. Also includes micro-market solutions with market consultation, design, and installation services.
- Harm Reduction Vending: Sale and distribution of specialized harm reduction vending machines that dispense Naloxone kits, testing strips, and other health supplies to communities. Machines are priced at $0.00 for end users.
- Parts and Service: Spare parts supply and after-sale service for installed equipment, including parts for Andamiro games and other major manufacturers.
- Installation Services: Professional logistics, shipping, and installation of equipment throughout the United States and Canada for FEC customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Monthly | LAI Games Lease Deals - Let's Bounce |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Jurassic World Financing - Firstlease |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Harm Reduction Vending Machines |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Shaffer Distributing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shaffer Distributing is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor (founded 1929) of amusement and vending equipment, including arcade games, jukeboxes, vending machines, and harm reduction vending machines. The company primarily serves family entertainment centers, vending operators, and similar commercial venues, with a smaller line of home entertainment consumer products.
Product overview
Shaffer Distributing is a leading distributor of arcade games, vending equipment, and amusement machines for family entertainment centers (FECs) across North America. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized into categories including: In Stock Equipment (pre-built arcade machines), Arcade New Releases (latest games), Amusement & Entertainment (redemption equipment), Vending Equipment & Micro Markets (vending machines and micro-market solutions), Music (jukeboxes), Pre Owned Equipment (used/refurbished machines), Virtual Reality (VR attractions), and Home Arcade (consumer games like air hockey, basketball, darts, foosball, pinball, pool, shuffleboard, and video arcade). Featured exclusive products include Amusement Source Ultimate Disc and Amusement Source Derby Day. The company also offers specialized Harm Reduction vending machines for community health initiatives and distributes products from major manufacturers including Andamiro, Raw Thrills, Sega, ICE Games, LAI Games, Stern Pinball, Bandai Namco, and many others. Shaffer provides turnkey solutions for FECs including business consultation, design services, installation, spare parts, and post-sale support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Shaffer Home Arcade: A sub-brand offering home entertainment products including arcade games, pinball, foosball, air hockey, and other classic home games.
Products and services
- Arcade Game Distribution Distribution of commercial arcade games to family entertainment centers, amusement venues, and similar operators.
- Vending Machine Distribution
- Jukebox Distribution
- Harm Reduction Vending Machines
- Home Entertainment Products
Quantifiable outcome
- 350+ harm reduction vending machines deployed across multiple states
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Shaffer Distributing
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Shaffer Distributing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Shaffer Distributing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RilixcorePartnership with Rilix for SpongeBob VR Bubble Coaster - an affordable, unattended VR attraction for FECs. Rilix manufactures the VR coaster while Shaffer distributes. Over 1,000 Rilix coasters have been placed in 25 countries.
- Andamiro USAcorePrimary distribution partner for Andamiro products including basketball games, coin pushers, Pump It Up, and redemption machines. Andamiro recognized Shaffer as a key distribution partner. Products include Avengers coin pushers, SpongeBob Pineapple, Basketball Pro, and VR experiences.
- Creative Works / Amusement 360minorParticipation in Amusement 360 educational event where Adam Kleinhenz, Business Development Specialist, serves on panel discussions about maximizing arcade profitability.
- Genius Brands International (Shaq's Garage)minorTic Shaq Toe Basketball game partnership through Andamiro, based on Genius Brands' animated series Shaq's Garage starring Shaquille O'Neal.
- Bay Tek EntertainmentminorJoint partnership to provide FEC health and safety signage for reopening. Combined offering of safety poster packages for small ($295), medium ($595), and large ($995) game rooms.
- LAI GamesminorDistribution partnership for LAI Games products including Virtual Rabbids, Let's Bounce, Pearl Fishery, Hyperpitch, and Hypershoot. Offered lease deals starting at $317/month for qualified buyers.
- Dr. Brad Ray / Wayne State UniversitycorePartnership with Dr. Brad Ray, Director of the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice at Wayne State University, to design and deploy Harm Reduction Vending Machines. This collaboration has resulted in over 350 machines placed across multiple states, distributing 20,000+ Naloxone kits to communities.
- Pizza RanchcoreLong-term partnership since 2017 for FunZone arcade installations at Pizza Ranch locations. Shaffer provides arcade game supply and installation services for Pizza Ranch's family restaurant entertainment areas. Extended partnership at Burlington, Wisconsin location with 24 arcade games.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shaffer Distributing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ICE Games (Innovative Concepts in Entertainment): Manufacturer of skill-based basketball and arcade games (e.g., Quarterback Pro) distributed by Shaffer; directly comparable for amusement-category dynamics and operator relationships.
- LAI Games: Manufacturer of VR and skill-based amusement attractions including Virtual Rabbids and Let's Bounce, distributed by Shaffer through lease and sales partnerships; competes for the same FEC placement slots.
- SEGA Amusements: Major global manufacturer of amusement and arcade equipment whose products Shaffer distributes; competing brand for FEC operators and a key supplier shaping Shaffer's competitive set.
- Andamiro USA: Manufacturer of coin pushers, basketball games, redemption machines, and VR attractions; Shaffer is its primary US distributor, making it both a strategic partner and a directly relevant comparable for amusement equipment category economics.
- Bay Tek Entertainment: Manufacturer of redemption, arcade, and skill-based games sold through Shaffer; vertical manufacturer in the same supply chain that defines Shaffer's catalog and competitive landscape.
Direct peers
- National Entertainment Network (NEN): National distributor and route operator of amusement and vending equipment, combining equipment sales with route-based operations for bars, restaurants, and FECs—overlapping with Shaffer on distribution and vending operator support.
- Betson Enterprises: The largest US distributor of amusement, vending, and beverage equipment with full-service capabilities including consultation, financing, and installation—Shaffer's most direct, scaled competitor across FEC supply.
- Coast to Coast Entertainment: Distributor of arcade games, vending machines, and amusement equipment for entertainment venues across the US; competes head-to-head with Shaffer on turnkey FEC solutions and parts supply.
- Five Star Redemption: Specialist distributor of redemption games, arcade equipment, and prize merchandise; competes in the same redemption-game vertical where Shaffer holds exclusive Amusement Source products.
- American Amusement: Distributor of new and used arcade games, pinball machines, and amusement equipment serving FECs and home consumers—comparable to Shaffer in product breadth and customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shaffer Distributing social profiles
Digital presenceShaffer Distributing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shaffer Distributing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Shaffer Distributing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shaffer Distributing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shaffer Distributing
What does Shaffer Distributing do?
Shaffer Distributing is a Columbus, Ohio-based distributor (founded 1929) of amusement and vending equipment, including arcade games, jukeboxes, vending machines, and harm reduction vending machines. The company primarily serves family entertainment centers, vending operators, and similar commercial venues, with a smaller line of home entertainment consumer products.
Is Shaffer Distributing a public or private company?
Shaffer Distributing is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Shaffer Distributing founded?
Shaffer Distributing was founded in 1929. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Shaffer Distributing based?
Shaffer Distributing is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Shaffer Distributing make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Amusement Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are vending Equipment Sales, harm Reduction Vending, parts and Service and installation Services.
Who are Shaffer Distributing's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ICE Games (Innovative Concepts in Entertainment), LAI Games, SEGA Amusements, Andamiro USA and Bay Tek Entertainment. Direct peers are National Entertainment Network (NEN), Betson Enterprises, Coast to Coast Entertainment, Five Star Redemption and American Amusement.
Does Shaffer Distributing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shaffer Distributing.
What industry is Shaffer Distributing in?
Shaffer Distributing's product category is Amusement and Vending Equipment Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAEAJAG, Route Operations & Distributed Gaming (Bars, Convenience, Truck Stops). Its NAICS code is 71312.