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All Posts By

Theresa English

01.12 2026

Designing Profitable Game Rooms for Entertainment Centers in 2026

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January 2026

Visibility Drives Engagement in Entertainment Center Game Rooms

Designing a Game Room within an Entertainment Center is a multi-layered, highly collaborative effort—and it starts with rethinking a common misconception. While walls are necessary for certain skill wall games, fully enclosing a game room or tucking it down a hallway is one of the fastest ways to limit its performance.

Redemption and arcade games thrive on visibility. When guests see others actively playing, celebrating wins, and competing with friends, it creates instant energy. That energy sparks curiosity, draws people in, and drives participation. The game room shouldn’t be hidden—it should be a visual anchor that activates the entire entertainment center.

We witnessed this firsthand at IAAPA while playing Baytek’s new gas-pumping game, Perfect Pump. As we walked the show floor with a client evaluating new attractions, they encouraged us to try it. The goal is simple: hit a specific dollar amount—something we’ve all experienced when running in for a quick $10 fill-up. The arcade version delivers the same pressure and humor (minus the gas smell).

As we played, laughed at our near misses, and groaned when we went over, we noticed people slowing down, stopping, and watching us from across the floor. What began as casual play quickly turned competitive. Challenges emerged. Scores were compared. That’s competitive socializing in action. If a single game can create that level of buzz on a trade show floor, imagine the impact when it’s intentionally placed within your entertainment center.

Flexible Game Room Design and Planning for Power

Flexibility is critical to a successful game room. Games rotate, footprints change, and technology evolves quickly. Refreshing the game mix keeps the experience new and gives guests a reason to return.

Planning for power early in the design process is equally essential. Will power come from above or below? Can the infrastructure support future changes? These decisions, made early, can save significant cost and disruption later.

Game sizes, heights, and technical requirements vary widely, and they continue to evolve. At IAAPA, we saw several games incorporating escape-room-style puzzle solving—without requiring a dedicated, fixed escape room footprint. Designing adaptable layouts allows you to take advantage of these innovations as they emerge.

Active and Movement-Based Arcade Game Trends

One of the biggest advantages of out-of-home entertainment is activity—and this trend was unmistakable at IAAPA. Many new games emphasized motion and physical engagement well beyond traditional joystick-and-button play.

One standout required players to roll a large “boulder” around and over obstacles, engaging the entire body. Melissa tested the modest-sized version, while a larger option pushed the experience even further. Archery games also made a strong return this year, including Lasertron’s Krazy Arrows, which blends traditional archery with gamified scenarios.

We also saw AR and VR experiences that require players to physically move through space, along with modern takes on classics—Dance Dance Revolution-style games for hands and skee-ball reimagined as putting golf. The trend is clear: guests want games that get them moving, competing, and laughing together.

Game Distribution, Redemption Spaces, and Long-Term Profitability

A successful game room doesn’t stop at game selection. The redemption area—worthy of its own dedicated discussion—and collaboration with an experienced game distributor are critical to long-term profitability.

The right distributor helps fine-tune the game mix to match demographics, encourage repeat visits, and maximize revenue per square foot. They also assist with buy-versus-lease strategies and often provide early layouts that evolve as operations grow.

Activating Game Spaces in 2026 Entertainment Centers

As we move into 2026, we invite you to think strategically about how your game space is activated—not hidden away, but integrated as a core driver of energy, engagement, and revenue within your entertainment center.

Check back for more blogs, past and future, from TK Architects that discuss other aspects of Entertainment Center design!

Principal, Theresa English

07.17 2024

Tales from 907 at Bowl Expo 2024

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July 2024

by Theresa English

Flying out under a rainbow is a promising start to any journey, and that’s exactly how my trip to Bowl Expo began. This year’s event was held at the Gaylord in Denver, offering breathtaking views of the mountains. The show took place on Monday and Tuesday before the 4th of July, providing a family-friendly environment with arcade and game vendors generously offering free play on all machines. Operators brought their best testers—their kids! Before the trade show opened, there was a decent line at registration, with a sense of anticipation bubbling among the attendees.

TK Architects shared a booth with our long-time partners at Proctor Companies a relationship that spans over 40 years.  Our booth, 907, was located across from the new product showcase and near the food vendors, with the concession area offering lunch and snacks right behind us.  The camaraderie among the vendors was felt, making the show a truly enjoyable experience.

MONDAY

Monday was pretty busy at the booth with many productive conversations with Bowling and Entertainment Operators.  Some were looking to renovate, a few looking to build new, and a sprinkling who had just completed their renovations.    The energy was exciting and positive, making it refreshing to discuss how people are moving forward and how well their facilities are doing.  

We even had a visit from Ricky Bourgeois and the team at Premier Lanes in Gonzales. They stopped by to say hi and discuss with Proctor about replacing their dishwasher, which has been in use since the original build 13 years ago. (It’s hard to believe that project was so long ago.) Ricky shared a memory about collaborating closely with our design team and engineers to develop their signature “Ball Wall.” He tracked down bowling balls in different colors and weights and helped get them drilled so they would sit perfectly over the structural supports. He still loves that element!

Being right across from the New Product Showcase, I had the opportunity to check out some of the new items. This included innovative technology for bowling center operations staff, scoring, and marketing.  There were also new robots that can make crazy cotton candy, balloon animals, specialty marshmallows, and more!  A fun new Ultimate Disk game from Shaffer and the Pixel Games new floor game with a roll up LED that can allows it to be used on the floor. 

TUESDAY

Attendance Tuesday was a little lighter down at our end of the hall but we were still able to have productive conversations with new potential customers and vendors to discuss their needs and opportunities.  The overall show was smaller than last year (no full-size bowling lanes this time) but the optimism of the attendees was invigorating and we are excited to continue those conversations!!

WHERE TO FIND ME NEXT

If you missed the show and would like to discuss your project, please reach out, we’d love to have an in-depth conversation with you.  As always, I can be reached at 816-842-7552 or send me an email at tenglish@tkarch.com   You can find me next at the International Cinema Technology Association Summer Conference in Laguna Beach, July 21st -July 25th. 

Hope to see you there!

Theresa English, Principal

05.30 2024

Exploring the Latest Trends in Entertainment – Chapter 4

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May 2024

by Theresa English, Principal

Not your Grandpa’s Bowling Alley

We started this series with a broad overview of why entertainment centers are important (LINK).  Chapter 2 brought you insights from the structural aspects (LINK) and Chapter 3 followed up with factors to consider from the MEP Engineering perspective (LINK).  Now I want to bring this series to a close with the thread that ties all the components together—learning and networking through entertainment focused trade shows. 

TK Architects has been designing entertainment complexes since our founder’s early days as a solo practitioner.  In fact, indications amongst exhibitors predicting entertainment’s relevance in the evolution of cinemas started long before Covid.  A worldwide pandemic crystalized the need for change to maintain the longevity of cinemas and to provide exhibitors a chance for income independent of the studio’s content supply stream.  The time is here, and more and more exhibitors are seeing the benefits and rewards of adding entertainment to their mix.

Bowl Expo

In recent years, the variety of amenities available for exhibitors/operators have significantly expanded. The appeal to clients is as diverse as the amenities.  By participating in Bowl Expo, we were able to see clients’ reactions in real time. I was not prepared to walk into the trade show hall and discover full bowling lanes set up as part of a trade show booth (little did I know what was in store for me later in the year). Numerous booths interspersed throughout showcased everything needed to run an entertainment center. There was ample networking and idea-sharing about the future of entertainment.  Surprisingly, there were fewer Food & Beverage booths than I expected. Overall, it is a great show I would recommend to anyone interested in bowling and entertainment.

IAAPA

Last Fall I went to IAAPA in Florida.  IAAPA encompasses a wide range of attractions, including entertainment centers, water parks, amusement parks, haunted houses, and arcades.  Walking in was quite an experience; imagine the size of six CinemaCon trade show floors combined into one room. Despite the expansive floor plan laid out before me, I still had to zoom in with my phone to read the names of individual vendors in each booth (thank you, guys, for color-coding the floor plan and the carpet).

There’s even an outdoor component featuring amusement rides, but the continuous rain throughout the week, unlike the typical 20-minute Florida afternoon showers, made viewing them a challenge. Some of the smaller rides are indoors, and the arcade games are set up free to play.  We got to check out some of the latest arcade attractions and hot new games.  Operators made sure to bring their official game testers –the kids!

With a couple days to explore I was able to see different aspects of the show:

  • Racing sims were a pretty hot topic this year and the variety of sizes and types of screens they come with equally varied. 
  • I witnessed a captivating water and laser show that could potentially be used for queuing purposes.
  • Complete bowling and duckpin lanes, including demonstrations of how hard it is to really tangle the string setters.
  • Roller coaster cars being unveiled.
  • Flying sims require fans and some crazy looking gear.
  • Arcade games both coin and redemption of all types and styles for every age.  Even a claw game for mini-booze.
  • Baseball, golf, soccer, cycling and football virtual reality or sims if your guests are looking for something more active.
  • I got to go on my first dark ride, an immersive 3D experience with motion seats and gaming interaction.  The motion seats were powered by a familiar name from the cinema world—DBox.

Networking

Familiar faces at booths of vendors we already work with both in cinema and entertainment were a pleasure to encounter.  Seeing new products and discussing potential use was thought-provoking.  Walking with clients to see what was intriguing to them and hearing why they wanted to know more about a particular amenity or attraction was illuminating.  Experiencing the massive trade show that is IAAPA should be on everyone’s entertainment bucket list but be sure to pack your most comfortable shoes!

Dine-In Cinema Summit

As we reflect on the past year, it’s evident that TKA cultivated an exceptional journey filled with new experiences in the entertainment sector.  We have witnessed the continuous growth and integration of the entertainment side of the business.  We anticipate this integration to expand steadily, merging with other aspects of cinema experience. In fact, Dine-in Cinema Summit has added a day designated to discussing entertainment centers!  I had the opportunity to share with fellow architects and general contractors some of the construction costs associated with entertainment centers at Dine-In. 

CinemaCon

The conversation continued at CinemaCon this year where I was able to participate in a panel hosted by the International Cinema Technology Association.  Each panelist shared different pieces of the puzzle of what it means to put an entertainment center together. Whether for new construction or renovation projects, participants shared wonderful information for the attendees.

Conclusion

We are so excited to engage with an increasing number of owners on the intersection of cinema and entertainment.  Exploring the potential for designing distinctive and personalized experiences at that intersection is thrilling. Additionally, we are delving back into what standalone entertainment entails. Whether, you are just starting your entertainment journey or refining your path, we encourage you to reach out to us!

What’s next?

We are looking forward to another Bowl Expo coming up in July, this year in Denver Colorado.  Conference is June 29-July 3rd, Trade Show is July 1st and 2nd.  This time we will be sharing a booth with our vendor friends from Proctor Company, booth #907 .  If you plan to attend, we would love to schedule a meeting.  Please stop by and say hello when you are there. 

Check out the article in the Cinema Technology Magazine from last winter (ARTICLE)!

Theresa English, Principal

02.20 2023

Reflection and Recap

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by Theresa English, Principal

February, 20 2023

For TK Architects, the gift of 2022 was growth.  After two very difficult years, we saw our efforts pay off with work from new clients.  We added a new Principal, Trevor Ruhnke, which is very exciting.  Leading the next generation of owners will be an architect, a Structural Engineer and a MEP Engineer.  We also doubled our staff including  some fantastic interns.  The talent that has joined us is so exciting and fresh.  We are seeing their growth daily. 

Cinema projects have started to reappear on our drawing boards (okay, monitors but that isn’t quite as elegant of an image).  Entertainment is showing growth too.  Renovation to update and augment amenities is widespread and growing.

Our F& B clients are kicking off national growth programs and expanding their franchisee rosters.  We’ve been working with them to develop their prototypes to allow this growth to be efficient and cost effective while offering the best guest experience.  I was able to attend the Food Service Equipment and Design Thought Leadership Summit conference in Chicago for the first time.  It was great to spend a couple days thinking about what the customer experience of the future restaurant will be.

We have further expanded our project types to include convenience stores.  These clients growth was being hampered by not being able to roll out drawings fast enough.  We were able to help them accelerate and increase their growth and surpass their desired location count by end of this year.

We are happy to leave the early 2020’s in the past.  In 2023, we look forward to adding new clients and more staff to help them achieve their goals.  Stay tuned for further developments!

Theresa English, Principal

02.23 2022

Restaurants of the Future: Experience and Technology

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by Theresa English, Principal

February 23, 2022

Restauranteurs and designers are rethinking how they will be designing in the future. Some of the trends you see now started prior to the Pandemic.  Self-ordering, kiosks, and grab and go were a few but some, like AI-assisted ordering, were accelerated by technology developments that happened during the Pandemic.  The typical time frame for technology development was greatly compressed by the need for innovation created by the Pandemic.   The events of the last couple of years are leading the way for these changes. Curbside is here to stay. Drawing people into a physical restaurant becomes more of a challenge.  Combining automation with the dining experience makes a new experience to pull customers away from their couch and the drive-thru.

Creating the experience: Customers want to be entertained. Food prep is one source of great entertainment. My nieces and nephews favorite restaurant was an open kitchen wood-fired pizza place. They would drag chairs over and press their noses against the sneeze guard. When they were watching, instead of pressing the dough into the pan, staff would toss it in the air and the kids would go wild. They were amazing and patient and would answer questions and chat with their audience. That kindness kept us coming back.  Panera announced their “Bakery Theater Experience” earlier this year.  The Krispy Kreme in Times Square includes an amphitheater.  The flagship Starbucks in Chicago includes roasting that patrons can see.  These restaurants create an allure for guests that can keep them coming back.

Automation:  The pandemic has already advanced apps, artificial intelligence, and online ordering, the next innovations will be staff efficiency. The push for increasing food industry wages has been exacerbated by the shortage being seen now.  The staff shortage contributes to the need for efficiency.  Automation is key for the future. Automation development has accelerated and now there are more options for preparing any type of food. Whether it is artisanal coffee or a full meal with sauces and a variety of ingredients. And do not forget the alcohol. One of the benefits of automating alcohol-related services is widening the pool of potential hires because you no longer need staff to be older.  Japan has probably the most extensive existing automation in restaurants, including arcades that are all claw machines for food.  The intrigue of seeing automation at work ties directly into the new experiences restaurants are looking to create.

The combination of curbside and automation makes for a great kitchen theater for those patrons dining in. Curbside makes for more food being prepared which provides more activity during a guest visit. Making the process visible provides something for guests to watch and enjoy.  Adding in automation imbues it with curiosity and allows staff to be more customer-oriented.  The patron experience will continue to expand. Design is the thread that will allow the multiple aspects to be woven together.

Have more questions about the future of the restaurant experience? Ask! Email me at tenglish@tkarch.com

Theresa English, Principal