Small escape room center with 2-3 themed rooms

Friend groups, families, date nights, birthday parties, tourists, schools and companies booking team-building events.

Price per player or per room for each session, plus private event bookings, corporate packages and add-ons like photos or party space.

• Puzzle and story design
• Hands-on building and basic electronics
• Customer service and hosting
• Online marketing and review management

• Fire code and emergency exits: check with your local fire marshal, since rooms must let players leave safely at any time
• Certificate of occupancy, zoning and local business license for an entertainment venue
• ADA accessibility requirements for the space, check what applies to your building
• General liability insurance and a signed waiver for every player, ask an insurer familiar with entertainment venues
• Commercial lease terms and build-out costs, which can run over budget
• Whether your state charges sales tax on admissions, check with your state tax agency
• Rooms need new puzzles or themes over time to keep repeat visitors

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your lease, number of rooms and build-out. Build-out costs can run over budget, so check your commercial lease terms carefully before committing.

Check fire code and emergency exits with your local fire marshal, plus certificate of occupancy, zoning, local business license and ADA accessibility for your building. Also look at general liability insurance, player waivers and whether your state charges sales tax on admissions.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, pricing and bookings. Plan on at least about 30 hours a week, and refresh puzzles or themes over time to keep repeat visitors.