Bowling-themed chain in nine states makes major shake-up as CEO admits to ‘beefed up’ activities to lure customers

Following a drop in sales, a major chain of restaurants with a bowling motif has acknowledged a reorganization of part of its operations.

While enjoying some of their favorite foods and beverages, customers can anticipate finding more activities to engage in.

Elevated “eatertainment” has become incredibly popular with American customers in recent years, and this is no secret.

In essence, eatertainment is a dining experience that mixes entertainment and dining.

Minigolf venues, dine-in movie theaters, and bowling alleys are a few simple examples.

With its emphasis on bocce ball and bowling in addition to dining, Pinstripes has contributed to that movement.

Dale Schwartz, the company’s current president and CEO, launched it in 2006, and a year later, its first and flagship site opened in Chicago.

It has twelve bocce courts, eighteen bowling lanes, a wine cellar, a café, a bar, and a banquet space.

The most recent Pinstripes facility opened on November 15 in Walnut Creek, California, approximately 25 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco. As of 2024, there are 18 Pinstripes locations in nine states.

Despite the fact that Pinstripes is still growing, with at least four new locations scheduled for 2025, Schwartz claimed that sales were declining due to inflation and shifting economic conditions.

POWERING THROUGH

“Consumer wallets remain pressured, and we are seeing this most pronounced in our open-play business, which was down approximately 13% year-over-year in Q2, while our event business was only down approximately 6%,” he stated in a November earnings call.

In comparison to the $7.7 million loss in 2023, Pinstripes reported a net loss of $9.3 million for the second quarter that concluded on October 13.

Additionally, revenues increased to $26.5 million from $24.6 million in the previous year’s second quarter.

Schwartz responded by stressing important adjustments, such as additional “beefed up” activities outside of bocce ball and bowling, which have been somewhat successful at Pinstripes sites.

“Our local-store marketing campaigns have seen exciting success as we have introduced activities such as kids clubs, comedy nights, line dancing, yoga classes, trivia nights, and many other community activities that complement our F&B and gaming offerings,” Schwartz reassured investors.

In order to boost sales for the brand, it is likely that all 18 locations will use the format.

OPENING PROMISE

Following the grand opening last month, Schwartz said the Walnut Creek store was moving in the right direction.

“Eight bowling lanes, two indoor bocce ball courts, and a private event space for groups of up to 1,500,” the CEO said, are among its amenities.

Like other Pinstripes, the two-story site has a total area of roughly 25,000 square feet, with a maximum of 38,000 square feet.

“Our opening to date has been very promising, and our initial private event bookings have been very strong, complementing the continued success of our San Mateo location,” Schwartz said.

According to the CEO, the business had roughly $3.2 million in cash on hand and anticipated “significant positive cash flow” throughout the holiday season.

During the earnings call, he also stated that Pinstripes was now seeking “additional external capital, which could include funding from new outside sources, as well as additional funds from our existing lenders.”

The company would survive “through most of calendar ’25” in its current financial situation, according to Pinstripes CFO Tony Querciagrossa.

Additionally, a number of additional entertainment chains are growing.

An upgraded experience for patrons is promised by a pickleball concept restaurant that is expanding its outlets around the West.

Baseball fans are also going crazy over BatBox, a Topgolf-style baseball simulator that plans to open several locations around the country soon.

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