You’ve probably seen the neon signs. Maybe you’ve even waited an hour for a lane at their Seaport location while nursing a pricey cucumber martini. But behind the retro-chic bowling lanes and the massive platters of Buffalo wontons, there’s a serious business machine churning. People always ask, how much money does Kings Dining and Entertainment make 2024, especially as the "eatertainment" sector starts to feel a little crowded.
Honestly, the numbers are higher than most people think for a brand that feels like a local boutique spot.
While Kings isn’t a massive, publicly traded behemoth like Bowlero (which owns hundreds of centers), it occupies a very specific, high-revenue niche. Based on current industry tracking and financial modeling for 2024, Kings Dining & Entertainment is pulling in an estimated $52.8 million to $60 million in annual revenue. That’s a lot of bowling shoes.
Breaking Down the 2024 Revenue Model
To understand why they're hitting these numbers, you have to look at the math of a typical Friday night. Most bowling alleys make their money on lane rentals. Kings flipped that. They are a restaurant first that happens to have bowling lanes in the back.
In 2024, the "dining" part of the name is doing the heavy lifting. Industry insiders like Kona Equity have pegged their baseline at around $52.8 million, but that’s likely a conservative floor. Why? Because their average check size is significantly higher than a traditional alley.
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- Food and Beverage (F&B): This accounts for roughly 50-60% of their total take. At Kings, you aren't just getting a soggy slice of pizza. You’re getting $18 cocktails and $25 steak tips.
- Gaming and Bowling: This brings in the remaining 40%. It’s the "hook" that keeps you in the building for three hours instead of one.
- The Corporate "Golden Goose": This is the secret sauce. A huge chunk of that 2024 revenue comes from private events. Companies like Google, Wayfair, and Fidelity rent out entire sections for "team building." These packages often start at $50-$80 per person, and they’re booked months in advance.
Why 2024 Was a Pivot Year
The post-pandemic boom for "going out" hasn't slowed down as much as experts predicted. However, costs have skyrocketed. In 2024, Kings had to navigate massive increases in labor and food costs.
Patrick Lyons and the Lyons Group (the powerhouse behind the brand) have always been smart about location. They don't just put a Kings anywhere. They put them in high-traffic, high-rent districts like the Burlington Mall or International Drive in Orlando. This means their overhead is astronomical, but their "revenue per square foot" is some of the highest in the leisure industry.
There's a reason they haven't expanded to 500 locations. They are picky. They focus on "luxury" bowling. By keeping the footprint relatively small (around 10-12 flagship locations), they maintain a sense of exclusivity that allows them to charge premium prices.
Competition and Market Share
It's tough out there. You’ve got Dave & Buster’s eating up the casual gamer market and Bowlero buying up every mom-and-pop alley in sight. Then there's Pinstripes, which is basically the sophisticated cousin of Kings.
Despite this, Kings stays profitable by leaning into the "nostalgia" factor. Their 2024 strategy has been about "social gaming"—adding more than just bowling. You'll see billiards, shuffleboard, and vintage arcade games. It’s about "dwell time." The longer you stay, the more $14 craft beers you buy.
The Estimated Profit Margins
Revenue is one thing; profit is another. In the world of high-end hospitality, margins are usually thin—think 10% to 15% if you’re lucky.
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For Kings, the 2024 profit margin likely sits around 12%. If they're doing $55 million in top-line revenue, they might be walking away with roughly $6.6 million in EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization).
That might not sound like "King" money, but for a hospitality group operating a dozen venues, it’s incredibly healthy. It allows them to reinvest in the "vibe"—new lane tech, updated menus, and those fancy lighting systems that make everyone look good on Instagram.
What This Means for the Future
If you’re looking at the business side of things, Kings is a "lifestyle brand." They aren't trying to be the biggest; they want to be the coolest.
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As we move toward 2025 and 2026, the challenge will be staying relevant to Gen Z, who seem to prefer "competitive socializing" like axe throwing or high-tech golf (think Topgolf). Kings has already started integrating more "interactive" elements to keep the 2024 momentum going.
Actionable Business Insights:
If you're an entrepreneur or just curious about the model, here is what Kings does better than almost anyone:
- Don't rely on the activity: The bowling gets them in the door, but the kitchen pays the rent. Always prioritize the highest-margin item (alcohol and food).
- Corporate is King: Diversify away from just "walk-in" traffic. Pre-paid events provide a stable cash flow that protects the business during slow Tuesday afternoons.
- Location is everything: It is better to have one high-performing location in a premium area than three mediocre spots in the suburbs.
The bottom line? How much money does Kings Dining and Entertainment make 2024? Enough to keep the pins falling and the cocktails flowing, even in a shaky economy. They've built a "recession-resistant" fun house by focusing on the one thing people won't give up: a good night out.