The Summit
Main Event Entertainment operates 44 family entertainment centers across 17 US states, combining bowling, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, and casual dining under one roof. It serves 20+ million guests annually, including families, young adults, and corporate groups, via FUNcard, party packages, and mobile app.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersCentennial, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Summit does
Main Event Entertainment, Inc., doing business as Main Event and previously operating as PlayAtTheSummit.com (The Summit), is a Dallas, Texas-based operator of family entertainment centers founded in 1998. The company's physical centers combine bowling, multi-level laser tag, more than 100 arcade games, virtual reality experiences, billiards, and chef-inspired casual dining under a single roof, serving families with children, young adults seeking social entertainment, and corporate groups hosting events and team-building. The company operated 44 centers across 17 US states as of 2020, hosting more than 20 million guests per year and running 50,000+ birthday parties annually, with a stated plan to reach 70+ centers across 18+ states by 2024.
The underlying technology backbone is the FUNcard stored-value platform, a credit-based game-play system used across all locations. In November 2020 this platform was extended into a mobile app that added FUNcard reload, bowling lane booking, real-time promotions, and a 'Dinner Bell' guest-arrival feature. In parallel, Main Event introduced a Virtual Experiences platform in partnership with Two Bit Circus and Wildly Different, enabling remote and hybrid team-building events such as the 'WFH Challenge.' The company is privately held and operates as a subsidiary of Dave & Buster's.
Revenue is generated through usage-based game play on the FUNcard, transaction-based food and beverage (including off-premise delivery through Uber Eats and DoorDash activated in April 2020), package-based birthday events priced at $15.99-$29.99 per person, subscription-style Season Pass products, and professional services for corporate events. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through 44 owned centers, augmented by online booking, the mobile app, third-party delivery marketplaces, and a corporate-events sales motion. Brand reach is reinforced through marketing partnerships with the Dallas Cowboys (announced January 2020) and Special Olympics, and the company has consolidated the legacy PlayAtTheSummit.com web properties into mainevent.com.
The Summit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Summit
- Legal name
- Main Event Entertainment, Inc.
- Website
- https://playatthesummit.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Main Event Entertainment operates 44 family entertainment centers across 17 US states, combining bowling, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, and casual dining under one roof. It serves 20+ million guests annually, including families, young adults, and corporate groups, via FUNcard, party packages, and mobile app.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Summit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Family Entertainment Centers
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), Amusement Arcades (713120), Bowling Centers (71395)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play) (THAAAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Birthday Party Services (HSACACAA), Party Games, Activities & Interactive Entertainment (HSACACAJ)
Keywords
Where The Summit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Centennial
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
The Summit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Game Play Revenue: Credits-based game play system where guests use FUNcards to play arcade games, with various credit costs per game. Includes regular credits, promotional credits, and time play options.
- FUNCard Sales: Stored value cards sold to customers for game play, with optional activation fees. Cards can be reloaded with credits at locations or through the mobile app.
- Food and Beverage: Chef-inspired casual dining including wings, loaded nachos, oven-baked artisan pizza, burgers, and handcrafted cocktails from the sports bar.
- Birthday Party Packages: Five different birthday party packages ranging from $15.99-$29.99 per person, including activities, food, FunCards, and prizes.
- Virtual Experiences: Live-hosted virtual team building and party events priced at $25 per person, including trivia, escape rooms, and interactive games.
- Corporate Events: Team building, holiday parties, and corporate event hosting with all-access passes and catering options.
- Season Passes: Holiday and summer season passes offering unlimited access to activities for a flat fee during promotional periods.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Main Event - Premium birthday package with 4 activity choices |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Teen All Access - Grown-up teen package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Ultimate Gamer - VR-focused immersive package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pancakes & Play - Family-friendly morning package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Your Way - Customizable starter package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Virtual Experiences - Live hosted online events |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Holiday Season Pass - Unlimited activities for one month |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Food & Fun Combo - Dining and game play bundle |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Summer Season Pass - All summer activity access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
The Summit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Main Event Entertainment operates multi-attraction family entertainment centers that combine state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, 100+ interactive arcade games, virtual reality, billiards, and chef-inspired casual dining under one roof. Core paid offerings include customizable birthday party packages ($15.99–$29.99 per person), corporate events and team building services, live-hosted Virtual Experiences for remote groups ($25 per person), and seasonal subscription passes for unlimited access. A stored-value FUNcard system and a first-ever mobile app support the in-center game play experience.
Product overview
Main Event Entertainment is a family and social entertainment center operator offering a multi-attraction experience under one roof. The core product is the entertainment center featuring state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, over 100 interactive arcade games (including the largest Mario Kart collection in the country), virtual reality experiences, billiards, and more. The company operates a platform model with its FUNCard stored-value system enabling game play across all locations, supported by a mobile app launched in 2020. Additional offerings include five customizable birthday party packages, corporate events and team building services, Virtual Experiences (live-hosted virtual party platform), Food & Bar dining services, bowling leagues, and seasonal passes. The company partners with Two Bit Circus and Wildly Different for virtual experiences and offers delivery through DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Virtual Experiences: Live-hosted virtual party and team building platform featuring trivia, escape rooms, and interactive games developed in partnership with Two Bit Circus and Wildly Different.
- Fun Card
- Birthday Wishing Wand
Products and services
- Main Event Entertainment Centers Family and social entertainment centers offering bowling, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, billiards, chef-inspired dining, and a full-service bar under one roof. Each center features 100+ interactive arcade games and serves 500,000+ guests annually.
- Birthday Party Packages Five customizable birthday party packages ranging from $15.99 to $29.99 per person, including activities, food, FUNcards, and Winner's Choice points. Includes Cowboys-themed birthday options through the Dallas Cowboys partnership.
- Virtual Experiences Live-hosted virtual party and team building platform delivered via video, featuring trivia, escape rooms, and interactive games. Priced at $25 per person.
- Corporate Events & Team Building Corporate event hosting including team building activities, company holiday parties, group events, and meetings, with personal party hosts, all-access passes, and catering options.
- FUNcard / Game Card Stored value card with magnetic strip used to play games at Main Event locations, supporting arcade games, photo booth, virtual reality, and mini golf. Includes Regular Credits, Promotional Credits, and Time Play options with credits that never expire and no maintenance fee.
- Main Event Mobile App Mobile app for iOS and Android offering FUNcard management with direct reload, the Dinner Bell feature to pause arcade play, bowling lane booking, real-time promotions, and location-specific activity information.
- Season Pass Subscription passes granting unlimited access to gravity ropes, laser tag, bowling, and other activities during specific promotional periods (Holiday Season Pass and Summer Season Pass).
- Leagues Recurring bowling leagues with Open Lane Socials offering perks and laneside experience. No skills required.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20 million+ guests served annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Summit
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Summit technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
The Summit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Two Bit CircusminorCollaboration for Virtual Experiences platform development. Two Bit Circus provides trained live hosts for virtual team building and party events including escape rooms, trivia, and interactive games.
- Wildly DifferentminorCollaboration for Virtual Experiences platform providing play-based team building activities for live events and remote games.
- Uber EatsminorDelivery partnership allowing customers to order food and at-home game items (laser tag, Velcro darts, mini bowling) through Uber Eats platform.
- Dallas CowboyscoreMulti-year marketing partnership including full marketing rights and designations. Co-development of Cowboys-themed birthday party packages with branded party favors, gear, and player/Cheerleader/mascot messages. Main Event integrated into marketing, promotions, and mascot appearances at schools and events.
- Special Olympics InternationalcorePremier sponsor of Special Olympics International, supporting via fundraising and serving as a venue for Special Olympics events nationwide. Hosts hundreds of athletes and events annually.
- The Birthday Party ProjectminorQuarterly events and fundraising partnership. Main Event hosts celebrations for children living in homeless and transitional living facilities. Donates $10 from every birthday package booked during promotional periods.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Summit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dave & Buster's: Direct parent and closest comparable operator of large-format entertainment centers combining arcade gaming, sports bar dining, and group events. Operates a national chain that overlaps directly with Main Event's positioning, and serves as the parent platform for Main Event.
- Bowlero: Largest operator of bowling-anchored entertainment centers in North America, offering bowling, arcades, food and beverage, and event hosting. Directly competes with Main Event for bowling leagues, family outings, and corporate events.
- Chuck E. Cheese: Family entertainment center chain focused on children’s birthdays, arcade games, and casual dining. Directly competes in the kids' birthday party market that accounts for 50,000+ Main Event parties annually.
- Andretti Indoor Karting & Games: Multi-attraction family entertainment centers featuring karting, arcade, laser tag, bowling, and dining under one roof. Closely mirrors Main Event's 'all-in-one entertainment destination' positioning.
- Cinergy Entertainment Group: Operates multi-attraction entertainment centers combining bowling, movies, axe throwing, arcade games, and dining. Comparable to Main Event in offering breadth and family/corporate event focus.
- K1 Speed: Indoor karting and entertainment center chain with food, arcade, and event offerings. Comparable multi-attraction FEC model targeting similar family and corporate group segments.
- Urban Air Adventure Park: National franchise of family adventure parks featuring trampolines, climbing, arcade, and party/event hosting. Directly competes for family birthday parties and group events.
- Round One Entertainment: Operates indoor entertainment complexes featuring bowling, arcade, karaoke, billiards, and food. Closely overlaps Main Event's attraction mix and family/group positioning.
- Lucky Strike Entertainment: Bowling-centric entertainment and event venues with F&B and event programming. Compares directly to Main Event's bowling and corporate/party event vertical.
Emerging players
- Two Bit Circus: Tech-forward amusement and virtual experiences operator; partnered with Main Event to supply live hosts for the Virtual Experiences platform. Comparable in the VR/arcade attraction space but at a smaller, more experimental scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Summit social profiles
Digital presenceThe Summit compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
The Summit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Summit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Summit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Summit 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 The Summit
What does The Summit do?
Main Event Entertainment operates multi-attraction family entertainment centers that combine state-of-the-art bowling, multi-level laser tag, 100+ interactive arcade games, virtual reality, billiards, and chef-inspired casual dining under one roof. Core paid offerings include customizable birthday party packages ($15.99–$29.99 per person), corporate events and team building services, live-hosted Virtual Experiences for remote groups ($25 per person), and seasonal subscription passes for unlimited access. A stored-value FUNcard system and a first-ever mobile app support the in-center game play experience.
Is The Summit a public or private company?
The Summit is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was The Summit founded?
The Summit was founded in 1998. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is The Summit based?
The Summit is headquartered in Centennial, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Summit make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Game Play Revenue is the primary driver. The others are FUNCard Sales, food and Beverage, birthday Party Packages, virtual Experiences, corporate Events and season Passes.
Who are The Summit's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dave & Buster's, Bowlero, Chuck E. Cheese, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Cinergy Entertainment Group, K1 Speed, Urban Air Adventure Park, Round One Entertainment and Lucky Strike Entertainment. Two Bit Circus is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Summit have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Summit.
What industry is The Summit in?
The Summit's product category is Family Entertainment Centers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAAAD, Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play), with a secondary code of HSACACAA, Birthday Party Services. Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7900.