Games2U Press Room

Older operators make a mark on franchising

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

CHICAGO (Reuters.com) - Prior to the economic downturn, Eric Diaz was managing a department that handled futures systems for Merrill Lynch in New York. Today he's a full-time pet groomer, riding around Hudson County, New Jersey in a tricked out Mercedes van replete with two 65-gallon water drums, a hydro tub and a host of shampoos, conditioners and other doggie styling aids.

...That was the case with Bill Johnson, a newly minted operator of a children's mobile party franchise called Games2U. Johnson, who operates near the Gulf of Mexico in the oil-rich town of Lafayette, Louisiana, purchased his franchise outright three months ago for roughly $165,000, including franchise fees. The former owner of an oilfield services company came out of an eight-year retirement after he saw his nest egg take a substantial hit in the stock market. Johnson says he knew it would be difficult to find a job working for someone else at age 59, so he took a chance on the franchise.

Now he spends his days driving a souped-up party van from house to house, as fun-frenzied kids scramble inside to play Xbox and Wii, and jump at the chance to roll around in giant, child-sized hamster balls. Plus, Johnson gets to spend time with his two daughters, who he says are learning valuable lessons about running a business.

"It's an easy sell," said Johnson, who charges about $350 for the average party. "All I have to do is show the van and they book themselves."

Info 101: Games2U, mobile fun for the whole family!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

What do you do when the economy tanks and your main source of income is snatched from under you? You play games! At least, that's what seems to be working well for Greg Nelson, a Games2U franchise owner. Birthday parties for your kids? Fundraisers for the PTO? Need a fun activity for a kids organization or maybe a neighborhood block party that all ages can enjoy? How about a team building activity for your office? Games2U can accommodate it all. I recently crashed one of his neighborhood parties with my two boys and was most impressed with what I saw.

Giant Games2U Robot Destroys New York

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Games2U's David & Stu Pikoff are interviewed on the October 3rd, 2009, episode of Fox & Friends on the Fox News Channel. In this video, the entire line of Games2U's party equipment is showcased, including the Games2U Video Game Theater, exclusive U:bot, outdoor Laser Tag, and Giant Hamster Balls.

The fun continued when the main broacast ended. In Fox's "After the Show" (shown in the second video below), you'll see the Fox & Friends hosts have a blast as they play with the Giant Hamster Balls, U:bot, outdoor Laser Tag, and Games2U Video Game trucks. It's a full-on showcase of the spontaneous fun people of any age can have when Games2U rolls up.

Games2U Interviewed on Atlanta's Fox 5 Good Day Xtra

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Games2U was interviewed on Atlanta's Fox 5 WAGA Good Day Xtra. In the interview, Games2U's David & Stuart Pikoff talk about Games2U's unique and successful franchise opportunities across America. They show off the exclusive U:bot, giant hamster ball, and the Games2U mobile video game theater.

Games2U Interviewed on Better Mornings Atlanta

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Games2U was interviewed by CBS's Atlanta affiliate, WGCL, on their Better Mornings Atlanta broadcast. In the interview, Games2U's Stuart Pikoff shows off the exclusive Games2U U:bot and talks about Games2U's unique franchise opportunities available across America.

Games2U Interviewed on WBTV News Sunday Morning

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Games2U was interviewed by CBS's Charlotte affiliate, WBTV. In the interview, Games2U's David and Stuart Pikoff show off the exclusive Games2U U:bot, outdoor laser tag, and talk about Games2U's unique franchise opportunities available across America. They even do the weather from inside a Giant Hamster Ball!

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Local company unveils giant robot

If there's anything a kid likes more than a giant robot, it's a chance to be the robot. Local children will soon have that chance, thanks to Four Points-based Games2U.

Children lined up excitedly at the headquarters on Wednesday, Sept. 23, as the company unveiled the prototype U:Bot. Once inside the 6-foot, 8-inch cyborg, each child got to drive the machine, steering with a joystick, pushing buttons to make laser sounds and squirt fog at onlookers. As the child spoke into the special microphone, out came a weird robot voice.

Games2U founders David and Stuart Pikoff and their research and development team helped make the machine a reality over an 18-month period with the help of former Dell president and Games2U partner Joel Kocher.

“We are doing our own R&D and constantly evaluating new products,” said Stuart, who lives in Steiner Ranch. “We put a lot of thought and experimentation into this.” The R&D team took the concept, made technical drawings, and molded the body of the robot.

The robot was introduced to the public in two demos prior to the unveiling, at the opening of Seton Hospital in New Braunfels and at the Concert in the Park in Steiner Ranch at the end of August.

Games2U was founded in 2007 and has since expanded to 80 franchises in 20 states. The company provides state-of-the-art, interactive entertainment for parties and events. It will unveil a new product in October.

“Innovation is a cornerstone of Games2U,” said Stuart. “It helps us stay fresh.”

Hot New Franchise Opportunities

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Franchisors and franchisees alike have found great success following their passions, their entrepreneurial spirits, and their instincts in building their businesses. Here we share the stories of a handful of standouts, whose experiences offer inspiration and advice to those entrepreneurs interested in pursuing franchising.

Each year countless entrepreneurs contemplate launching new franchise opportunities that they hope will become the next hot business. But how many are really new? More importantly, how many have the potential to become the next big thing?

Franchise consultant Michael Seid says that the uniqueness of a concept by itself is not the best way to assess the promise of a franchise opportunity. "What we're looking for today are things that meet market needs," says Seid.

Demographics drives two market needs Seid sees as ripe for new business opportunities. The first is our aging population. This creates openings for a variety of services tailored to meet the health and other needs of a mushrooming population of senior citizens. A second trend concerns the needs surrounding the proliferation of two-earner families that require assistance with the education, entertainment, and care of children.

To fulfill its promise as a future business star, a concept also needs infrastructure. That means a management team with the talent and experience to grow it, the standardized systems that will enable franchisees to emulate the success of others, and the capital to fund continued development of management, systems, and product offerings. Not many new franchise systems have that combination. Here are nine that might.

Games2U

Games2U is a concept that, on the other hand, brings itself to kids, in the form of mobile gaming theater--vans stuffed with high-end video gaming systems, plus outdoor activities like laser tag, air cannons that launch t-shirts and candy and giant inflatable hamster balls.Co-founder brothers David and Stuart Pikoff started selling franchises for the Austin, Texas, company in 2008 and already have 41 operating in 18 states.

The concept is a natural for kids' birthday parties, but also appeals to corporate training and teambuilding events, video game maker demonstrations, fairs, family nights, and many other events, David Pikoff says. They plan to continually expand the offerings, most recently with a patented six-anda-half-foot tall motorized gadget called the Ubot that lets kids climb inside and pilot a smoke-emitting, light-flashing robot. "It's a simple great way to throw a party," David Pikoff says. "However, we're never done. We're always challenging ourselves to do something new and different and keep it fresh and unique."

Two entrepreneurs score big with a fleet of mobile arcades

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:00:00 CDT

Game Boys

Two entrepreneurs score big with a fleet of mobile arcades.

David and Stuart Pikoff want to see your kids spending more time outdoors... playing Halo, Guitar Hero 3 and laser tag. The brothers' two-year-old Austin company, Games2U, brings truck-mounted video game theaters and laser tag gear to birthday parties. Last year Games2U started selling franchises; the Pikoffs project revenues of $15 million to $20 million this year.

Games2U has signed up 38 franchisees to handle 13 territories in 16 states. New franchisees pay the Pikoffs a $35,000 fee up front and a 6% royalty on sales. For each territory, a franchisee must also buy a branded Games2U trailer or vehicle from the Pikoffs, brining the startup cost to between $89,000 and $200,000. Each Games2U unit is outfitted with screens and video-game consoles that allow 12 to 24 gamers to compete at once. Clients typically pay a flat fee of $300 to $350 for a two-hour party appearance.

"I wouldn't be so bold as to say we're recession-proof," says David Pikoff, 42. "But franchisees are hearing that while people aren't purchasing big houses or cars, they won't cheat their kids out of a childhood memory for a few hundred bucks."

Games2U's biggest obstacle? The credit crunch, which makes it harder for would-be franchisees to get financing. And particularly in a down economy, it's not easy for franchisees to cover the deprecating value of the vehicles and to purchase new games, says Jack Plunkett of Plunkett Research, a market research firm in Houston. "You need to get hired for weekday events, not just birthdays," he says. "That takes networking and marketing skills."

Mobile video game party spices up boring birthdays

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:00:00 CDT

When invited to a Hawaiian birthday party, there's no surprise what the afternoon will hold - beach park with picnic tables and barbecue pits, an inflatable castle, Costco balloons and Auntie serving up her best malasadas. One Hilo woman has a different vision for the future of Big Island birthday parties, and it looks a little like Laser Tag competitions and Guitar Hero face-offs.

"Kids are tired of going to a bowling alley or roller skating for their birthdays. We are offering everyone the chance to have a rock star birthday party at an affordable price," said Paula Thorne the owner of Games2U on the Big Island.