For years, FEC operators worried about rent, payroll, redemption costs, and game prices. But in 2025, one of the biggest hits to profitability isn’t coming from your vendors or your labor line… it’s coming from something most operators overlook: Credit-card processing fees, Tap-to-pay surcharges, Mobile wallet interchange changes, and Massive increases in small-ticket swipe volumes. This might be the single most overlooked expense on an FEC’s P&L today and most operators don’

Labor Shortages & Wage Inflation: The Operational Reality FECs Can’t Ignore in 2025 If there’s one issue every FEC operator is feeling, from arcades to trampoline parks to bowling entertainment centers, it’s labor. The combination of higher wages, tighter hiring pools, and higher expectations from guests has created one of the most difficult staffing environments the industry has ever seen. Why Labor Is So Hard Right Now 1. Minimum wage increases in many states - Many regions

Insurance Premium Spikes: The Unexpected Cost Surge Hitting FECs in 2025 While FEC operators are busy managing labor, pricing, credit-card fees, and game uptime, another major cost has quietly surged: commercial insurance premiums. Across the U.S., operators are seeing 18%–35% increases on renewal and in some cases even higher. This is one of the most painful cost jumps because it’s mandatory, non-negotiable, and heavily impacted by broader trends outside an operator’s contro

Betson.com Ghostbusters Wheel (Leasing Special) Betson Enterprises SuperBlaster 2‑Seats (Leasing Special) Betson Enterprises Godzilla Deluxe (Walk-Away / FS Special) Betson Enterprises Jackpot Racer (Walk-Away / FS Special) Betson Enterprises Betson’s Financial Specials: Unlock the Games You Want, on Terms That Work For operators, timing is everything, both on the floor and in the books. That’s why Betson has rolled out a wide range of Financial Specials, making it easier tha

SURESHOT REDEMPTION   If you’re looking to refresh your redemption counter with an item that actually moves , look no further than SureShot Redemption’s Licensed Backpacks. These things absolutely popped at IAAPA 2025, not just because of their eye-catching designs, but because they hit the sweet spot every FEC operator cares about: high perceived value, strong margins, and nonstop kid appeal. Name-brand recognition. Kids and teens gravitate toward licenses they know. These b

At Alpha-Omega Sales, we take pride in bringing you behind the scenes of some of the most exciting family entertainment centers (FECs) in...