Topgolf Franchise vs. Other Entertainment Franchises

Topgolf has been a popular golf franchise in the marketplace for a few years now, and when you’re looking to own a business in the entertainment industry, it’s not surprising that it catches your attention. As a brand that’s also in the entertainment industry, Altitude Trampoline Park has talked to many franchisees who first looked at the Topgolf opportunity before turning their interest in our direction. Here’s a bit of background on this golf franchise and our trampoline park franchise.

Topgolf: A Golf Franchise First

Topgolf brands itself as a sports entertainment complex. It’s heavily focused as a golf franchise offering hitting bays, a variety of golf training and playing opportunities, onsite golf lessons, and even Callaway golf clubs at some locations. For non-golfers, there are also opportunities to play Angry Birds or Jewel Jam, or just hang out for a social event. Topgolf offers food and drinks, and you can book parties and events at your facilities.

Despite the massive real estate footprint, not all locations offer the same amenities, so you are encouraged to see what is available at the Topgolf location you choose to visit.

The Topgolf Business Model

Topgolf consists of driving ranges where people can play games, including Angry Birds, while they enjoy table service from the bar and restaurant. A substantial number of customers are non-golfers. Callaway Golf acquired Topgolf in 2021 for $2.5 billion.

The company also generates revenue by licensing Toptracer, its proprietary ball-tracking technology, to independent driving ranges, golf courses, and for use in golf broadcasts. Today, Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp. has a portfolio of global brands including Topgolf, Callaway Golf, TravisMathew, Toptracer, Odyssey, OGIO, Jack Wolfskin, and World Golf Tour.

All this is to say that it is most definitely a golf-focused franchise.

Inside the Topgolf Franchise Cost

You will have a difficult time evaluating the Topgolf franchise fee or other important financial information because Topgolf is exclusively owned and operated in the United States and the UK – this means there are no franchise partnerships available in either of those countries. However, you can establish a franchise partnership if you’re a leading global operator in Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Central Europe, Greater China, South East Asia, the United Arab Emirates, and the Iberian Peninsula.

If you consider yourself to be a leading global operator, the minimum Topgolf franchise requirements for developers include the following:

The ability and willingness to open five or more Topgolf venues

Access to at least $150 million in capital

Experience in entertainment, food and beverage, and/or hospitality industries

Success in bringing other USA-UK brands to your territory

Experience with large-scale commercial real estate development

Strong local market knowledge and connections

Even if you meet these criteria, their website reports that as of January 2024, Topgolf is not currently seeking additional franchise developers as they focus on opening existing assigned territories.

The bottom line: If you’re interested in how to open a Topgolf franchise, it’s likely a non-option for you. A better opportunity, and certainly a more affordable and accessible one, might be Altitude Trampoline Park.

Altitude Trampoline Park Franchise

Altitude Trampoline Park offers multiple revenue streams including jump time, special event hosting, memberships, birthday parties, vending and concessions, and an arcade. While we’re often recognized as a kid’s entertainment franchise, we are more broadly a family-friendly businesses that welcome all ages of children and adults, regardless of their physical abilities or skill level.

Altitude Trampoline Park promotes a healthy and active lifestyle by encouraging people to move and connect as part of everyday fun or to celebrate life’s special moments.

Jump into Some Strong Financials

Altitude Trampoline Park has been franchising since 2016. With nearly 80 parks in operation in the U.S., franchisees reporting a $2.18 million average unit volume (AUV) and the brand boasts a 20.5% EBITDA as a percentage of gross sales. The cost of goods sold (COGS) for the park is 10.9%.

Our startup costs range from $1.6 million to $2.8 million, and franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $1.5 million and a cash requirement starting at $400,000. We offer exclusive territories and absentee ownership, so you don’t need to run the day-to-day operations. In addition, we offer both single- and multi-unit development options.

Take a Look at Altitude Trampoline Park

We invite you to see what owning an Altitude Trampoline Park is all about by filling out our franchise form, which connects you to a franchise development member of our team. We’ll reach out to you and start the conversation about how this business could take your portfolio to new heights!

FILL OUT THE FORM