You’ve invested in a top-tier venue. The activities are thrilling, the staff is great and the vibe is right. But there’s one silent revenue killer that most operators underestimate: the wait.
Whether it’s a queue at the reception desk, a gap between booking and activity start or just the time it takes to process a large group – every idle minute is a missed opportunity. Guests who feel bored or frustrated during wait times are more likely to spend less, leave early and never come back.
The good news? With the right tools and strategies, that idle time becomes engagement time – and engagement time becomes revenue.
We’re here to show you what actually works.
1. Let Guests Do It Themselves with Smart Self-Service Kiosks
When guests don’t want to wait in line, give them an alternative they actually enjoy using. Self-service kiosks (SSKs) let visitors register, sign waivers, book activities, pay, cross and upselling and even top up cashless accounts.
Beyond convenience, kiosks have a proven impact on spend: Xtreme Action Park saw a 50% increase in repeat purchases after deploying BMI’s kiosk system, while reducing potential payroll costs by up to 75%.
It’s a win for your guests, your team and your bottom line.
2. Keep Their Eyes Busy – TV Displays & Live Leaderboards
Perceived wait time is often more important than the actual wait time. The truth is: when guests are entertained, 15 minutes can feel like 5.
For karting centers, displaying live leaderboards and upcoming heats on screens throughout the venue is highly effective. When guests see their names on the “upcoming” list or follow the lap times of current racers, they stay mentally engaged with the experience, even before they step into a kart.
3. Turn Their Phone Into Part of the Experience with a Mobile App
Waiting doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. With a mobile app, your guests are never truly idle – they’re already inside your world.
Push notifications sent at the right moment create anticipation, build excitement and drive in-venue purchases. For example, a notification saying “Your race starts in 10 minutes, grab a snack at our café!” does more than sell food. It makes guests feel taken care of.
With the BMI Leisure mobile app, guests can:
- Register and book activities from anywhere
- Track their loyalty points and achievements in real-time
- Check live race rankings and timing results
- Receive personalized push notifications and exclusive offers
- View upcoming reservations and redeem vouchers
4. Cashless Payments for Guest Engagement & Revenue Boost
Engaged guests spend more. And the easier you make it to spend, the more they will.
Cashless payment systems remove friction from in-venue purchases. Guests top up a balance once and use it for everything – buy food, arcade games, merchandise. No digging for cash, no hesitation at the counter.
For operators, cashless payments also mean better data, less cash handling and a more controlled environment. Combined with our mobile Point of Sale (POS) (where staff can take orders and process payments anywhere in the venue), upselling becomes a natural part of the guest journey – not a pressure tactic.
5. Offer Food & Drinks with Smart F&B Integration
Waiting guests are prime customers. Make it easy – and tempting – for them to spend.
- Place restaurants near waiting areas
- Offer quick, grab-and-go options
- Promote combo deals or limited-time offers
A well-placed menu or digital screen can significantly boost per-guest revenue.
On the other side, in a modern entertainment center, your hospitality offering is just as important as your attractions.
Speed is the essence of guest satisfaction in F&B. At BMI Leisure, we provide a connected ecosystem where your kitchen, bar, and floor staff work in perfect synchronization.
- Integrated POS & Kitchen: Orders taken at any Point of Sale (POS) terminal are automatically routed to the kitchen for immediate preparation.
- Print Routing: The system uses smart print routing to send orders to specific prep stations, including critical details like allergies and special guest requests.
- Real-Time Availability: Track table status, active bills, and reservations through a live interface.
And more!
Idle time Is costly. Engaged time is profitable.
The entertainment venues winning today aren’t just the ones with the best attractions. They’re the ones that have made every moment of the guest journey – including the wait – part of the experience.
