Monster Mini Golf

Last updated

Monster Mini Golf
Company type Privately held company
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2004;20 years ago (2004)
Headquarters
Providence, Rhode Island
,
U.S.
Number of locations
31 (29 in U.S. and 2 in Canada)
Area served
 North America
OwnersChristina Vitagliano co-founder/co-CEO
Patrick Vitagliano co-founder/co-CEO
Website monsterminigolf.com

Monster Mini Golf is a franchised chain of entertainment centers. The locations feature an indoor, 18-hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, video and redemption arcade games, three-dimensional animatronic props, an in-house radio station, party rooms for hosting birthday parties and other special events, as well as laser-tag, laser-maze, and bowling in some of the newer, larger facilities. The parent company, Monster Entertainment, LLC is headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, and Las Vegas. As of January 2023 the chain has 31 locations, either open or under construction, across the United States and Canada. [1]

Contents

History

Monster Mini Golf Glow in the Dark Golfer.jpg

Founders Christina and Patrick Vitagliano [2] opened the first Monster Mini Golf in the small community of Danielson, Connecticut, on Memorial Day weekend in 2004. By 2005, they had made the decision to franchise, and were legal to offer franchises by November of that year. Monster Mini Golf has grown organically since inception, and as of January 2023, has grown to 31 locations in the US and Canada.

Before the inception of Monster Entertainment, Christina was the director of marketing for a multi-level entertainment complex in Providence, RI. Patrick was the founder of a sound/lighting/theatrical production company that provided sound and lighting for numerous Broadway theater productions and large concert tours. After marrying in 1997, Christina opened an antique auction house in Connecticut in 1998. Within four years it became one of the largest and most reputable auction houses in the area[ citation needed ]. In 2003 Christina decided to sell the business as the grueling hours and international travel become tiresome. [1]

The concept for Monster Mini Golf was thought up on the way home from a weekend trip to New York City. [2] Patrick sold his production company in 2004 and the couple combined their experience and talents to launch Monster Mini Golf. It took them five months to build the course and props before opening in an 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) space in an old textile mill that had housed Christina's former auction house. Monster Mini Golf became legal to franchise in November 2005. [3]

Locations

All locations incorporate glow-in-the-dark settings with fluorescent golf balls and monsters. The only consistent features in each franchise are the "Enter at Your Own Risk" sign that hangs above the cast-iron gated entrance to the "cemetery," a hole featuring a mole hill with the cup inside the mole hill, a hole with a tricky path (hole in the middle of a hill followed by an animatronic organ player at the top of the hill), and the trademark clown statue that escorts customers out after the last hole (parody of the movie Happy Gilmore it laughs at some locations, but it does not block the ball as it did in movie). Locations typically include two party rooms and an arcade with games such as glow-in-the-dark air hockey tables, custom-made glow-in-the-dark pool tables and arcade games as well as ticket redemption games such as glow Skee Ball. [4]

KISS by Monster Mini Golf

In 2012, the company opened KISS by Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas, Nevada, a facility themed around hard rock band KISS. Currently located in the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, this location features the typical Monster Mini Golf fare (but heavily KISS-themed), a rock and roll themed wedding chapel called "The Love It Loud Wedding Chapel", the world's largest KISS gift shop, and a museum featuring memorabilia from the band's storied career on display. It also hosts regular appearances by KISS band members, both past and present. [5]

Franchise

Monster Mini Golf had been nominated by franchisees for Top New Franchise on Bizzia.com in 2007. [6] Customers have also shown their interest, based on the company’s uniqueness and creativity behind the indoor mini golf concept. [7] Monster Mini Golf sites average 9,000 to 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) and are typically located in strip malls, stand-alone buildings or other commercial spaces. 100% of all franchises are currently owner operated. As of 2017, there are currently 28 franchised locations in the US and Canada. The best location located in Marietta, Georgia. [8]

Monster Cable vs. Monster Mini Golf

Monster Cable brought suit against Monster Mini Golf in 2006. [9] Noel Lee, The CEO of Monster Cable, claimed that the public would be confused by the similarity of the names Monster Cable and Monster Mini Golf. [10] After mediation and royalty suggestions that the owners deemed to be unfair; Monster Mini Golf launched a grassroots campaign against Monster Cable on the Internet, which managed to garner nationwide attention and support. After receiving hundreds of complaints from the public, Monster Cable dropped the lawsuit and agreed to pay up to $200,000 of Monster Mini Golf's legal fees. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capcom</span> Japanese video game company

Capcom Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game company. It has created a number of critically acclaimed and multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Street Fighter, Mega Man, Devil May Cry, Dead Rising, Dragon's Dogma, Ace Attorney, and Marvel vs. Capcom. Established in 1979, it has become an international enterprise with subsidiaries in East Asia, Europe, and North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chuck E. Cheese</span> US arcade / themed pizza entertainment chain

Chuck E. Cheese is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded in 1977 by Atari's co-founder Nolan Bushnell. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, each location features arcade games, amusement rides and musical shows in addition to serving pizza and other food items; former mainstays included ball pits, crawl tubes, and animatronic shows. The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese. The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, thus being one of the pioneers for the "family entertainment center" concept.

Nickelodeon Universe is the name of two indoor amusement parks located at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota and American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with a third location under construction at the Mall of China in Chongqing, China. The parks consist of attractions and rides based on Nickelodeon’s popular franchises. The amusement parks are owned and operated by the Triple Five Group with licensing rights from Paramount Global, which owns Nickelodeon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audio-Animatronics</span> Trademark for a form of robotic animation

Audio-Animatronics is the registered trademark for a form of robotics animation created by Walt Disney Imagineering for shows and attractions at Disney theme parks, and subsequently expanded on and used by other companies. The robots move and often synchronise with audio by the assistance of an external sound system on the stage.

Relic Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian video game developer based in Vancouver, founded in 1997. The studio specializes in real-time strategy games and is known for series such as Homeworld, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War and Company of Heroes. Acquired by THQ in 2004, the company was sold to Sega on January 22, 2013, as part of THQ's bankruptcy and operated under its European division. By May 2024, Relic had secured a partnership with an external investment group, allowing it to split from Sega and operate independently.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miniature golf</span> Offshoot of golf focusing solely on the putting aspect

Miniature golf is an offshoot of the sport of golf focusing solely on the putting aspect of its parent game. The aim of the game is to score the lowest number of points. It is played on courses consisting of a series of holes similar to those of its parent, but the courses are characterized by their short length.

Malibu Grand Prix (MGP) is an entertainment company that was popular during the 1970s and 1980s as a franchised miniature indy car racing track. The typical complex included a 3000-4000 sq ft. arcade with a concession stand and a race track outside, covering around 10,000 to 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m2) altogether. It was acquired by Warner Communications in 1976 which in turn sold it in late 1983 to a group of Canadian developers and a local entrepreneur whose background included Chuck E. Cheese’s. There were a total of 40 locations at the time of acquisition including 32 tracks and 8 family entertainment centers featuring miniature golf, batting cages, bumper boats and more. As part of the acquisition, Malibu acquired seven (7) parks from Castle Entertainment which was in bankruptcy. These locations were located in North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, and Redondo Beach, California; El Paso, Texas; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. A location in Tulsa was acquired in late 1984 that included a small waterpark and a Malibu-like racing facility. The California partner sold out in 1986, and the Canadians sold the chain to Mountasia in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls</span> Tourist area in Niagara Falls, Ontario

Clifton Hill is one of the major tourist promenades in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The street, close to Niagara Falls and the Niagara River, leads from River Road on the Niagara Parkway to intersect with Victoria Avenue, and contains a number of gift shops, wax museums, haunted houses, video arcades, restaurants, hotels and themed attractions. It is a major amusement area and centre for night life, particularly for families and teenagers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster Energy</span> Energy drink

Monster Energy is an energy drink that was created by Hansen Natural Company in April 2002. As of 2022, Monster Energy had a 30.1% share of the American energy drink market, the second-highest after Red Bull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster Cable</span> American consumer electronics manufacturing company

Monster Inc. is an American company that manufactures and markets about 6,000 products, but is best known for audio and video cables. It also produces speakers, headphones, power strips, mobile accessories and audio devices for automobiles. The company was founded by an audiophile and engineer, Noel Lee, in 1979 by experimenting with different ways to build audio cables. It grew by doing demonstrations to convince the industry that audio cables made a difference in audio quality and by establishing relationships with retailers that were attracted to the cable's profit margins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bullwinkle's Restaurant</span> American family entertainment center chain

Bullwinkle's Entertainment, previously known as Family Fun Centers & Bullwinkle's Restaurant and formerly Bullwinkle's Family Food n' Fun is a chain of family entertainment centers. Locations feature a sit-down restaurant, complemented by arcade games, go-karts, bumper boats, mini golf, laser tag, a ropes course, a zip line, and small rides for children. Games and activities are generally themed around the company's namesake, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mystery Fun House</span> Attraction complex in Orlando, Florida, United States

Mystery Fun House was an attraction complex in Orlando, Florida, United States. It was founded with the help of David A. Siegel on March 27, 1976, and operated through February 18, 2001. Located near International Drive on Major Boulevard across from Universal Orlando Resort, the fun house expanded over time to include a laser-tag facility, an arcade, a dinosaur-themed mini golf course, and other attractions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pleasure Island (Massachusetts amusement park)</span> Massachusetts amusement park

Pleasure Island was an amusement park located in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The park, billed as the "Disneyland of the Northeast", was in business from 1959 to 1969. During its short existence it went through several owners and was financially handicapped by New England's relatively short summers.

Putt-Putt, LLC is an American franchiser of Par 2 miniature golf businesses in several states as well as locations abroad. The franchise was originally branded as Putt-Putt Golf, but with franchise expansion into family entertainment centers, many locations are currently branded as Putt-Putt Fun Centers.

3D Ultra Minigolf is a series of arcade-style miniature golf titles. It began in 1997 with 3D Ultra Minigolf, with 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures and its sequel, 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures 2 developed by Wanako Games. 3D Ultra Minigolf Adventures has been released for Microsoft Windows and Xbox 360. The sequel was released for Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ShowBiz Pizza Place</span> Defunct arcade/restaurant pizza chain

ShowBiz Pizza Place, often shortened to ShowBiz Pizza or ShowBiz, was an American family entertainment center and restaurant pizza chain founded in 1980 by Robert L. Brock and Creative Engineering (CEI). It emerged after a separation between Brock and owners of the Chuck E. Cheese franchise, Pizza Time Theatre. ShowBiz Pizza restaurants entertained guests through a large selection of arcade games, coin-operated rides, and animatronic stage shows.

Valhalla Entertainment Productions, Inc. is an American film and television production company. Their productions include AMC's The Walking Dead television series, its companion series, Fear the Walking Dead, and the spin-off, The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Fechter</span> American engineering entrepreneur (born 1953)

Aaron Fechter is an American mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, voice actor, singer, and musician who owns and operates Creative Engineering, Inc. (CEI). He is best known as the creator of The Rock-afire Explosion, an animatronic show featuring a variety of characters created primarily for Showbiz Pizza Place restaurants throughout the 1980s. A fallout between Showbiz and CEI, along with the chain's dwindling revenue, led to the show's decline and eventual removal by the early 1990s.

<i>Five Nights at Freddys</i> Media franchise created by Scott Cawthon

Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF) is a video game series and media franchise created by indie game developer Scott Cawthon. The franchise features ten main video games, several spin-off games, novels, and a film adaptation.

Ghost Golf is a humorous horror-themed indoor miniature golf course and arcade located on North Blackstone Avenue in Fresno, California.

References

  1. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on October 18, 2008. Retrieved April 23, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 30, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ↑ "Everything You Need to Know About Franchises". Franchises.about.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  4. ↑ KELLY, ASHLEY. "For alien sightings, try Monster Mini Golf". Recordonline.ocm. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Kissminigolf". Monsterminigolf.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Franchisees Are So Happy, It's Scary : Franchise Pick - Picking the Perfect Franchise". Archived from the original on April 12, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  7. ↑ "MONSTER MINI GOLF: Trademark Infringement Suit Has Happy Ending : Franchise Pick - Picking the Perfect Franchise". Archived from the original on April 11, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Monster Mini Golf Franchise Information". Entrepreneur. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Monster Cable Sues Mini Golf Company for Trademark". Bigscreen.com. November 6, 2008. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  10. ↑ Chen, Jason (May 27, 2008). "Monster Cable Sues Monster Mini Golf For, You Guessed It, Name Confusion". Gizmodo.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. ↑ Stecklow, Steve (April 4, 2009). "The Scariest Monster of All Sues for Trademark Infringement". Wsj.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.