In South Georgia, people want more entertainment options – and that’s okay, because we tend to want more than what we have. Social media does a good job of reflecting this. If you look at the comments of business posts from 229 Life, there’s a recurring theme: “What about a Dave & Busters?” So to get some clarity, I asked ChatGPT about opening a Dave & Busters in Albany and what it would take. I even got citations so I could know what was real. Here’s what I found out.
It all started with one prompt that expanded into some follow up questions. I kept it simple and generic in this case:
The Question: “I live in a place that does not currently have a Dave & Busters nearby. What would it take for a Dave & Busters to open where I live?”
The results were informative and eye-opening, and I’ll be linking the proper citations for reference. Here is a summary of the reply.
The Answer: “For a Dave & Buster’s to open in your area, several factors would come into play, including the following…”
1. Market Demand
- Population Size: Dave & Buster’s typically targets larger cities or areas with high population density. They look for locations where there is a significant customer base of families, young adults, and corporate professionals.
- Demographics: They consider median age, income levels, and a population that enjoys entertainment options like arcades, dining, and sports bars.
2. Competition
- They evaluate the local market to see if there are existing entertainment venues, arcades, or sports bars that might pose competition. If the market is already saturated, they may look elsewhere.
3. Real Estate Availability
- Dave & Buster’s requires large spaces, often over 25,000–40,000 square feet. They typically locate in malls, retail parks, or standalone buildings in high-traffic areas.
- Nearby amenities, parking availability, and accessibility (like being near highways) are also important.
4. Local Business Environment
- Zoning Regulations: The location needs to comply with local zoning laws for a restaurant and entertainment venue.
- Permits and Licensing: Operating a business with arcade games and alcohol requires special permits, which vary by city and state.
- Economic Incentives: Sometimes, cities provide tax breaks or incentives to attract large businesses like Dave & Buster’s.
5. Corporate Strategy
- Dave & Buster’s expansion plans are determined by their corporate priorities and budgets. They tend to focus on cities that align with their growth strategy.
Okay – With this beginning, I now needed to know the following:
- What is the minimum population most-likely needed to facilitate the opening of a new Dave & Buster’s?
- What is the median age and income needed from my local population for a Dave & Buster’s to survive and thrive?
- Would a city of around 100,000 people align with their corporate strategy?
Here is a summary of the reply to these follow-up questions, and I have included links to references.
1. Minimum Population Requirement:
Dave & Buster’s typically seeks locations with a daytime population of 700,000 to 1,000,000 within a 10-mile radius. This criterion ensures a sufficient customer base to support the venue. (Reference)
2. Median Age and Income:
While specific median age and income thresholds are not publicly detailed by Dave & Buster’s, their core customer base includes:
- Age: Primarily individuals aged 21 to 50.
- Income: A typical customer has an annual household income of approximately $61,000. (Reference)
These demographics suggest that areas with a substantial population within this age range and income level are more likely to support a successful location.
3. Suitability of a City with 100,000 Residents:
A city with a population of around 100,000 may face challenges in meeting Dave & Buster’s typical market requirements. However, the company has explored smaller venue formats suitable for markets with populations between 200,000 to 500,000, with an average target of 400,000. (Reference)
Given this information, a city of 100,000 residents might not align with Dave & Buster’s standard expansion strategy. However, if the surrounding metropolitan area or neighboring communities collectively contribute to a larger population base, it could enhance the feasibility of establishing a location in your vicinity.
For a more precise assessment, consider evaluating the combined population within a 10-mile radius of your city to determine if it aligns with the company’s market criteria.
Back to the question: Does South Georgia present a viable spot for a new Dave & Buster’s location?
According to the information we found, even the biggest cities in South Georgia would not likely be selected for a Dave & Buster’s location. As of this writing, the closest Dave & Buster’s location is 150 miles away from Albany, GA.
So what can South Georgia cities do?
This is a great question. And the answer is A LOT. Local and regional developers who don’t have the responsibility of catering to corporate and shareholder interests can much more easily build and succeed in cities across South Georgia.
With fewer needs to be met, developers with the right strategy can essentially “skip the line” since they have little to no corporate hoops to jump through. As long as a business plan is correctly implemented with regard to the population and demographics of South Georgia cities, local and regional developers have a fighting opportunity. And that opportunity is bringing quality and sustainable entertainment choices to places like Albany, Moultrie, Tifton, and beyond.
Additionally, many times business growth is dependent on the current success of other new businesses in the area. Two of the largest projects in the Albany area are the new Academy Sports + Outdoors next to the Albany Mall and the newly divided parcels at the corner of N Westover Blvd and Meredyth Drive in Albany.
The success of these locations and the businesses that occupy them will help determine the future success of the companies and businesses that choose to build next in South Georgia.
What do you think about South Georgia’s prospects for new local entertainment? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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