This educational post is provided by ROLLER.
Author: Brett Sheridan
Acquiring guests is expensive. You’re investing in ads, community sponsorships, and outreach efforts, all to get people through the door. But if your average spend per guest is low, you’re not maximizing that investment. Industry-wide, customer acquisition costs have been on the rise, putting additional pressure on operators to enhance revenue per visitor. The good news is that boosting per capita spend by just $3–$5 per guest can significantly improve profitability. I love this metric so much that I include it as one of my Magic Metrics when running a venue.
I’ve written this quick guide to give you the fast-five guest-friendly strategies to boost spending per head without blowing up your marketing budget.
1. Pre-visit upsells
Guests are most open to spending when they’re in “planning mode.” Take advantage of this mindset before they even arrive:
- Bundle offers like “unlimited play + meal + socks”
- Upgrades such as private party rooms or arcade credit packs
- VIP perks like early check-in or skip-the-line access
Key takeaway: Guests who buy ahead spend 30% more and arrive more committed to having fun. ROLLER operators use our powerful online checkout to promote compelling add-ons and increase average order value before visit day.
2. Monetize the queue
Waiting is a pain, but it’s also a golden opportunity to drive mid-visit purchases:
- Display QR codes for snack orders and limited-time offers
- Promote birthday packages, passes, and loyalty perks on screens
- Gamify the experience: “Scan to win a $10 arcade card!”
Key takeaway: Engaging guests during wait time can spark unplanned purchases. ROLLER’s mobile F&B feature allows guests to make purchases anywhere you place a QR (like next to busy wait areas!) and can result in a 33% increase in spend per guest.
3. Layout psychology
Your venue’s layout is your silent salesperson. Use it wisely:
- Place high-margin items near exits and entrances
- Use sensory cues like popcorn aroma or spotlighted displays
- Group items that make tempting combos: plushies + treats, socks + souvenirs
Key takeaway: Layout tweaks can lift impulse purchases. ROLLER’s POS reports show which products are hot, so you can organize your displays to capitalize on the data.
4. Train staff to upsell
Even the smartest tech can’t replace a great team. Equip your staff with:
- Simple, friendly upsell prompts like “Add a drink for $1?”
- Clear scripts and cheat sheets
- Incentives and competitions to keep it fun
Key takeaway: Well-trained team members can increase upsells and add-on purchases throughout your guest’s visit. ROLLER makes it easy to track upsells at the POS, so managers can coach in real time and celebrate top performers.
5. Reward repeat visits
Maximizing today’s visit is great — but tomorrow matters too. Keep guests coming back:
- Offer bounce-back deals: “10% off your next visit”
- Promote digital memberships with perks
- Capture emails for future marketing
Key takeaway: Returning guests mean recurring revenue. ROLLER’s CRM and membership tools help operators turn one-time visitors into loyal fans.
Make every visit count
You’ve already done the hard part: getting guests through the door. Now it’s time to turn every visit into serious value. With the right strategies in place, you can unlock thousands in extra revenue without spending a dollar more on marketing. Focus on smarter guest journeys, staff empowerment, and operational clarity to make every visit count for your guests and your bottom line.
Visit roller.software to learn more about how the right tech can help your business grow.
Follow Brett https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-sheridan/