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Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation
American location-based entertainment company From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation (formerly known as Bowlero Corporation) is an American location-based entertainment company and the largest operator of ten-pin bowling centers in the world, with over 360 venues across North America, primarily in the United States.[1] It also owns the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), acquired in September 2019.[2]
The company owns and operates venues under a variety of brands—including Bowlero, AMF Bowling, Lucky Strike Lanes, Bowlmor Lanes, Boomers! Parks, and various water parks—offering bowling, food and beverage service, arcades, and league play. Its venue footprint expanded through acquisitions such as Raging Waves, Visalia Adventure Park, and Boomers! Parks.[3]
The company officially rebranded from Bowlero Corporation to Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation on December 12, 2024, and changed its NYSE ticker symbol to LUCK.[4]
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History
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1997-2013: Bowlmor Lanes
Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation traces its origins to 1997, when entrepreneur Thomas F. Shannon, a former real estate developer, acquired and revitalized the historic Bowlmor Lanes in New York City. At the time, the venue was one of the oldest bowling alleys in Manhattan, but it had fallen into disrepair and was struggling to attract customers. Shannon saw an opportunity to reinvent the space—not just as a bowling alley, but as a destination for nightlife, dining, and entertainment. He transformed Bowlmor into a multi-sensory experience, featuring blacklight bowling, retro arcade games, signature cocktails, and a gourmet menu. The venue quickly became a hotspot for young professionals, celebrities, and tourists, blending the nostalgia of bowling with the energy of a nightclub. This innovative concept laid the foundation for a new kind of entertainment experience centered around bowling.[5]
Between 2001 and 2013, the company operated under the name Strike Holdings, LLC, and began replicating the Bowlmor model in other urban markets across the United States. Locations in cities like Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Miami followed, each tailored to local tastes but maintaining the brand’s signature upscale, nightlife-infused atmosphere. During this period, Bowlmor became synonymous with boutique bowling, a term that reflected its departure from traditional alleys toward high-end, experience-driven venues. The brand’s success was driven by its appeal to a younger demographic seeking experiential entertainment—a trend that was reshaping the leisure industry. Bowlmor venues hosted corporate events, birthday parties, and date nights, often featuring DJs, themed decor, and curated food and drink menus. This positioned the company as a pioneer in the fusion of entertainment and hospitality, setting the stage for future mergers and acquisitions that would define its next chapter.[5]
2013: Merger with AMF Bowling
Bowlmor AMF was formed in July 2013 when AMF Bowling Worldwide, which had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2012, reorganized and combined with Strike Holdings LLC, which operated the upscale Bowlmor Lanes. The new company was jointly owned by Bowlmor, certain of AMF Bowling's second lien lenders including an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management, and Credit Suisse. At the time of the merger, the merged company operated 272 bowling centers and had 7,500 employees and a combined annual revenue of approximately $450 million.[6]
Bowlmor CEO Tom Shannon became Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the combined company, and Bowlmor's Chief Financial Officer and former president, Brett Parker, became Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Vice President. Shannon and Parker collectively retained 22% of Bowlmor AMF.[7] and were set to receive bonuses based on their ability to increase the profitability and worth of Bowlmor AMF.[8]
Bowlmor CEO Tom Shannon became Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the combined company, and Bowlmor's Chief Financial Officer and former president, Brett Parker, became Vice Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, and Executive Vice President. Shannon and Parker collectively retained 22% of Bowlmor AMF.[9] and were set to receive bonuses based on their ability to increase the profitability and worth of Bowlmor AMF.[8]
As part of the AMF Bowling reorganization, Bowlmor AMF assumed control of AMF Bowling's 50% interest in QubicaAMF Worldwide, one of the largest manufacturers of bowling products in the world.[6]
When Bowlmor and AMF Bowling combined in 2013, league bowlers at AMF's existing 262 traditional bowling centers worried that the new owner would eliminate league bowling at their centers, too. Some cited a Bloomberg TV interview in which CEO Tom Shannon said, "I don’t think anyone takes bowling seriously – why would you?"[10] Concern grew when Bowlmor AMF significantly cut the operating hours at many centers as a financial measure, and in the process, displaced or eliminated some daytime bowling leagues.
Shannon was said to have responded that, "We plan to increase the league bowling business, not shrink it," citing AMF's "large customer base" in league activity for declaring that its league bowling was "very safe."[citation needed] He said his company has "protected and defended 99% of (its) nighttime leagues"[11] and sees its acquisition of the Brunswick centers as "furthering (its) commitment to league play."[12] A company spokeswoman further stated that the company also aims to "introduce a new generation to league bowling" and wants to support professional bowling, including possible sponsorships of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA).[13] In October 2014 the PBA entered into an entitlement partnership agreement that made the company an official partner of the PBA.[14]
2014: Acquisition of Brunswick Corporation
In July 2014, the company announced that it had agreed to acquire all 85 centers of Brunswick Bowling & Billiards in a transaction to be financed by the sale and leaseback of 58 of the centers to iStar Financial, as well as a term loan.[12][15] The acquisition was completed in September 2014.[16]
Shannon was named Bowling Proprietor of the Year in 2014 by Bowlers Journal International Magazine in recognition of his "vision and bold initiatives" to "divide the AMF bowling empire into three distinct brands."[17]
In December 2014 the Qubica founders and partners purchased Bowlmor AMF's 50% interest in Qubica.[18]
Between 2013 and 2015, the company fired 287 managers from its 351 bowling centers. By April 2017, it was facing more than 50 discrimination complaints filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), from employees who claimed to have been terminated for their age or appearance.[19]
2017: Private equity ownership
In June 2017, private equity firm Atairos Group paid in excess of $1 billion to acquire Bowlmor AMF from its previous investors, with Shannon continuing to hold his "significant investment."[20][21]
2018: Bowlero Corporation
Bowlmor AMF changed its name to Bowlero Corporation on January 4, 2018.[22]
On September 10, 2019, Bowlero Corporation announced it had purchased the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA).[23] While retaining current PBA Commissioner Tom Clark, Bowlero also appointed its Chief Customer Officer (CCO), Colie Edison, to the new role of CEO for the PBA.[24] In an interview with Lucas Wiseman, senior editor for the PBA's FloBowling channel, Edison noted that Bowlero had been in talks with the PBA leadership for a number of years, before finally deciding the time was right for the acquisition.[25]
By January 2020, all remaining Brunswick locations were rebranded with either the Bowlero or AMF names.[26]
On October 9, 2020, Bowlero Corporation was featured on the American TV Series Undercover Boss, with Edison in the role of the disguised boss.[27]
In April 2021, Bowlero partnered with sports betting company, BettorView, in order to display sports data and wagering at multiple locations.
2021-2023: Public listing
As of June 23, 2021, Bowlero was in merger talks with Isos Acquisition Corporation, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) led by former WWE executives, to go public through a merger.[28][29] On July 1, 2021, Isos Acquisition Corporation announced it had officially merged with Bowlero, with the intent to take Bowlero public and list it on the New York Stock Exchange.[30]
In May 2023, Bowlero announced they had bought all 14 locations of Lucky Strike Lanes, across 9 states.[31] The acquisition was completed on September 18, 2023.[32]
From 2021 to 2023, the company’s annual revenue increased, from a few hundred million dollars, to more than one billion. By 2023, its revenues represented about one quarter of the industry’s total revenue.[33]
In May 2023, CNBC reported that the EEOC was investigating numerous claims of age discrimination and retaliation, and was seeking $60 million to settle the claims.[34] In May 2024, the EEOC concluded a nine-year investigation into Bowlero regarding age discrimination and retaliation complaints, with the EEOC, declining to sue the company but not clearing it of wrongdoing, thereby allowing more than 70 individual claimants to pursue private lawsuits against the company.[35]
2024-Present: Lucky Strike Entertainment and expansion of bowling and entertainment venues
On December 2, 2024, Bowlero Corporation announced that it would rebrand as the Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation effective December 12, 2024.[36]
Just prior to this, in May 2024, Bowlero purchased the Raging Waves Waterpark in Yorkville, Illinois for $49 million.[37]
From July to November 2024, Lucky Strike (then operating as Bowlero Corp) acquired:
- Boomers Parks, a leading family entertainment brand in California and Florida
- Spectrum Entertainment Complex, a 52-lane bowling and events venue near Grand Rapids, Michigan
- One water park, five family entertainment centers, and one bowling location[38]
“The M&A market is extremely active, and we look to continue to deploy capital at attractive returns through our long-proven underwriting process and operational excellence,” said Shannon. “Raging Waves, the largest waterpark in Illinois, outperformed expectations throughout the summer, in part from an expanded season pass offering.”[38]
This wave of acquisitions brought the company’s total venue count to 361 locations by November 2024, including new Lucky Strike venues in Denver, with flagship locations planned for Beverly Hills and Ladera Ranch, California.[38]
Financial Strategy and Operational Integration
Chief Financial Officer Bobby Lavan emphasized the company’s focus on operational efficiency:
“Cash flow from operations in the quarter was a record for the seasonally small first quarter as we focus on operational efficiencies to expand margins and improve cash flow conversion. Mobile ordering is now available in all locations.”[38]
These acquisitions are part of Lucky Strike’s broader strategy to diversify its entertainment offerings, leverage brand equity, and drive cross-venue synergies through technology, marketing, and guest experience enhancements.
July 2025: Acquisition of Water Parks and Family Entertainment Centers
In July 2025, Lucky Strike announced the acquisition of two water parks—Raging Waters Los Angeles and Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe—alongside three high-performing family entertainment centers: Castle Park in Riverside, Boomers Vista, and Boomers Palm Springs.[39]
“This acquisition accelerates our vision to build the leading platform of location-based entertainment destinations in North America,” said Thomas Shannon, Founder, Chairman, and CEO. “Each of these properties has deep roots and established guest loyalty in their communities. We see tremendous opportunity to elevate the guest experience and continue our playbook of strategic investment in high-return opportunities to expand our portfolio, create network economies between the assets, and reshape the future of entertainment.”[39]
- Raging Waters Los Angeles: The largest water park in California, spanning 60 acres with over 50 attractions. It draws approximately 450,000 visitors annually.
- Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe: Located in Greensboro, NC, this 40-acre park features over 40 attractions and is a top seasonal destination in the Southeast.
- Castle Park: A 24-acre amusement park with nostalgic charm and over 250,000 annual visitors.
- Boomers Vista & Palm Springs: Popular family entertainment centers offering go-karts, laser tag, mini golf, and arcades.
These venues collectively attract over 1.5 million guests annually, reinforcing Lucky Strike’s growing presence in the amusement and waterpark sectors.[39]
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Brands
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Lucky Strike Entertainment Corporation operates bowling and entertainment centers under several banners:
- Lucky Strike venues are high-end entertainment destinations that blend boutique-style bowling with immersive social experiences. These centers feature sleek, modern interiors, full-service bars, chef-driven menus, curated music playlists, and ambient lighting. Many locations include private event spaces, billiards, and lounge areas, catering to corporate gatherings, parties, and nightlife. The brand emphasizes elevated hospitality and experiential entertainment, appealing to young professionals and urban audiences.[40]
- Bowlero centers are positioned as fun, accessible bowling venues for open play, group events, and leagues. Originally launched in 2014 with the renovation of AMF Woodlands Lanes in Texas, Bowlero centers feature retro-modern decor, arcade games, and inventive food and beverage offerings in a nostalgic setting.[41] Most Bowlero locations are converted AMF or Brunswick Zone centers, though some are newly built or acquired from other operators.[42]
- Bowlmor Lanes is a legacy brand known for upscale, lounge-style bowling venues focused on group events and open play. These locations offer recreational games, private party facilities, sports bars, and full-service restaurants in a stylish, nightlife-inspired setting.[40]
- AMF centers were inherited from the acquisition of AMF Bowling and are positioned as traditional bowling alleys with a strong emphasis on league play. While many AMF locations have been rebranded as Bowlero, some remain under the AMF name or have been sold for non-bowling use.[42][40]
- Boomers! Parks are family entertainment centers (FECs) offering attractions such as go-karts, miniature golf, bumper boats, laser tag, and arcade games. These venues are designed for all-ages amusement and are popular for birthday parties, family outings, and group events.[40]
Lucky Strike Entertainment also operates a few venues under their original names, acquired from private owners. Examples include Revel & Roll in Michigan and The Garage in Washington state.[42]
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References
External links
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