Cross Roads Escape Games
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAnaheim, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Cross Roads Escape Games does
Cross Roads Escape Games is a private, founder-owned experiential entertainment company founded in January 2016 by husband-and-wife team Luke and Madison Rhoades. The company operates a single venue in Anaheim, California — six miles east of Disneyland — offering three permanently installed, high-production-value escape rooms: The Hex Room (horror-movie themed, ages 16+, with a proprietary 'Hex Box' individual-puzzle system and physically separated team rooms), The Fun House (a circus/magic-themed all-ages room with a KIDS variant for ages 8–12), and The Weeping Witch (a supernatural horror room featuring live actors and animatronics with Disney-grade technical integration). Sets are built from the ground up with theatrical backgrounds, custom lighting, and integrated hint systems with no penalty for assistance. The company also operates a private lounge for parties and team building and runs a milestone award program for repeat escape room enthusiasts.
The business model is direct-to-consumer transactional entertainment: standard 60-minute tickets priced at $42 per person, team-building rates of $35–$42 per person, private lounge rental at $50/hour, plus ancillary merchandise (trophies $15–$25, t-shirts, cupcakes $39/dozen via partner The Gateaux Shoppe, and gift cards). Customer segments include families and general consumers, corporate team-building groups, birthday celebrants (especially kids 8–13 and teens/adults), and dedicated escape room enthusiasts; all games are private, meaning players are never grouped with strangers. Marketing is organic-driven via Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, blog content, podcast appearances, community events such as National Escape Room Day, and seasonal promotional campaigns.
The company is bootstrapped with no external funding, employs 1–10 people, and expanded in December 2023 into a sister brand, Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales, a horror-themed axe-throwing bar in Costa Mesa, CA, applying the same elevated theatrical treatment to a new experiential category. Cross promotion between the two venues is in place. The company has accumulated multiple industry recognitions, including USA TODAY Top 10 Best Escape Rooms (2017, 2018, 2021), TERPECA Top Rooms in the World, Golden Lock Award from Room Escape Artist, and Best of Morty recognition.
Cross Roads Escape Games firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cross Roads Escape Games
- Legal name
- Cross Roads Escape Games
- Website
- https://crossroadsescapegames.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cross Roads Escape Games industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Escape Room Entertainment
- NAICS
- Amusement Arcades (71312), Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Escape Room Games & Mystery Puzzle Boxes Retail (CRALALAM)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play) (THAAAAAD)
Keywords
Where Cross Roads Escape Games is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Anaheim
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cross Roads Escape Games business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Escape Room Ticket Sales: Per-person ticket sales for 60-minute escape room experiences. Tickets are $42 per person for standard games. Group events and team building sessions range $35-$42 per person. Private lounge rental available for $50/hour. Additional revenue from cupcakes ($39/dozen), merchandise (trophies, t-shirts), and maze box gift packaging ($5).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard escape room ticket |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Team building group rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Party lounge rental |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Milestone award merchandise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Gift cards with maze box upgrade |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Cross Roads Escape Games product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cross Roads Escape Games operates a purpose-built, multi-room escape room venue in Anaheim, California, offering three themed 60-minute live-action game experiences—The Hex Room, The Fun House, and The Weeping Witch—where groups of 2–10 players solve puzzles to escape within a time limit. The business sells timed entertainment sessions, plus merchandise and party/event bookings, directly to consumers.
Product overview
Cross Roads Escape Games is an escape room entertainment company operating three distinct horror and adventure-themed escape rooms: The Hex Room (horror movie-themed, 5-10 players, ages 16+), The Fun House (magic/circus-themed, 3-8 players, all ages, with a KIDS version), and The Weeping Witch (supernatural horror with live actor, 4-8 players, ages 14+). The company is co-founded by Luke and Madison Rhoades, who opened in January 2016 and have since expanded with a sister company, Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales in Costa Mesa. Additional offerings include gift cards, private lounge rentals for parties and team building events, and a milestone award program for dedicated escape room players. All games are private (no strangers), run 60 minutes, and are priced at $42 per person.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales: Horror movie-themed axe throwing bar located in Costa Mesa, CA, featuring interactive projection targets, combat shovels, knives, hatchets, and horror-themed drinks. Same creators as Cross Roads Escape Games.
Products and services
- The Hex Room One of three themed 60-minute escape room experiences operated by Cross Roads Escape Games in Anaheim, CA, designed by founders Luke and Madison Rhoades for groups of players to solve puzzles and escape within the time limit.
- The Fun House Themed 60-minute escape room experience operated by Cross Roads Escape Games, offering an additional puzzle adventure alongside The Hex Room and The Weeping Witch.
- The Weeping Witch Themed 60-minute escape room experience operated by Cross Roads Escape Games, expanding the venue's portfolio of puzzle-based adventures.
- Birthday Parties
Quantifiable outcome
- 60-minute immersive escape room experiences with integrated hint systems and no penalty for hints
Companies that use Cross Roads Escape Games
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cross Roads Escape Games technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Cross Roads Escape Games partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Slashers Axe Throwing & AlescoreSlashers is a sister company created by the same founders (Luke and Madison Rhoades), located in Costa Mesa, CA. Horror movie-themed axe throwing bar with theatrics, special effects, interactive projected targets, and craft beer. Tickets $40/person (1-hour) or $65/person (2-hour). Cross Roads and Slashers cross-promote each other (e.g., Easter golden egg prizes include free tickets to both). The founders describe this as applying the same elevated level of immersive experience from Cross Roads to axe throwing.
- The Gateaux ShoppeminorThe Gateaux Shoppe provides specialty-designed cupcakes for parties at Cross Roads Escape Games. Cupcakes are $39 + tax per dozen. Orders must be placed at least one week in advance. Customization available including game-themed designs and personalized toppers.
- Mendocino FarmsminorRecommended catering partner for group events and team building sessions at Cross Roads Escape Games. Catering permitted with rental of the private lounge.
- Panera BreadminorRecommended catering partner for group events and parties. Cross Roads recommends Panera Bread catering for groups using the private lounge.
- Pepz PizzaminorRecommended food delivery option for parties. Cross Roads suggests Pepz Pizza as a food option for birthday celebrations.
- Olive GardenminorRecommended catering partner for group events. Cross Roads suggests Olive Garden catering for events in the private lounge.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cross Roads Escape Games competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Meow Wolf: Large-scale immersive art/entertainment company operating permanent interactive exhibits in multiple US cities. Adjacent to Cross Roads' theatrical immersive model at much larger scale and ticket price points; signals the direction location-based entertainment is heading.
- Stir Crazy Throwing Co. Multi-location axe throwing and immersive entertainment venue. Comparable to the founders' Slashers Axe Throwing brand and indicative of the broader experiential entertainment category Cross Roads' founders are expanding into.
Direct peers
- Breakout Games: Multi-location US escape room chain with several Southern California venues, offering similarly themed adventure rooms to corporate teams, families, and birthday groups at comparable per-person pricing.
- Exodus Escape Rooms: Southern California escape room operator with private theatrical rooms and horror-themed productions, positioned similarly to Cross Roads on quality, pricing, and Southern California destination appeal.
- Escape Room Era: Anaheim-area escape room operator with themed rooms targeting corporate team building, birthday parties, and general consumers in the same geographic market as Cross Roads.
- 60out Escape Rooms: Los Angeles-based escape room operator with multiple themed rooms and immersive theatrical production, directly comparable to Cross Roads on game design philosophy, Southern California footprint, and ticketing model.
- Escapology: Globally franchised escape room brand with private gameplay, themed rooms, and corporate team-building offerings that overlap directly with Cross Roads' value proposition and customer segments.
- Maze Rooms: Los Angeles-area escape room operator with multiple themed games and immersive set design, competing for the same SoCal group entertainment and corporate team-building customer.
Broad incumbents
- The Escape Game: The largest US escape room chain, operating multiple locations nationwide with high-production-value themed rooms. Direct competitor in the same product category but at a far larger scale; Cross Roads competes against TEG's California locations on quality and awards.
- Disneyland Resort: Adjacent anchor tourist attraction 6 miles from Cross Roads. While a different category (theme park), Disneyland drives the regional tourism demand and customer flow that Cross Roads monetizes for group entertainment spend.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cross Roads Escape Games social profiles
Digital presenceCross Roads Escape Games financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cross Roads Escape Games leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Cross Roads Escape Games subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Cross Roads Escape Games funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cross Roads Escape Games 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 Cross Roads Escape Games
What does Cross Roads Escape Games do?
Cross Roads Escape Games operates a purpose-built, multi-room escape room venue in Anaheim, California, offering three themed 60-minute live-action game experiences—The Hex Room, The Fun House, and The Weeping Witch—where groups of 2–10 players solve puzzles to escape within a time limit. The business sells timed entertainment sessions, plus merchandise and party/event bookings, directly to consumers.
Is Cross Roads Escape Games a public or private company?
Cross Roads Escape Games is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cross Roads Escape Games founded?
Cross Roads Escape Games was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Cross Roads Escape Games based?
Cross Roads Escape Games is headquartered in Anaheim, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cross Roads Escape Games make money?
One revenue line is on record: escape Room Ticket Sales.
Who are Cross Roads Escape Games's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Meow Wolf and Stir Crazy Throwing Co.. Direct peers are Breakout Games, Exodus Escape Rooms, Escape Room Era, 60out Escape Rooms, Escapology and Maze Rooms. Broad incumbents are The Escape Game and Disneyland Resort.
Does Cross Roads Escape Games have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cross Roads Escape Games.
What industry is Cross Roads Escape Games in?
Cross Roads Escape Games's product category is Escape Room Entertainment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRALALAM, Escape Room Games & Mystery Puzzle Boxes Retail, with a secondary code of THAAAAAD, Family Entertainment Centers & Indoor Amusement (Arcades, Trampoline Parks, Indoor Play). Its NAICS code is 71312 and its SIC code is 7900.