How Family Entertainment Centers Can Thrive with a Leaner Team

How Family Entertainment Centers Can Thrive with a Leaner Team
Staff shortages are hitting the hospitality industry hard, and Family Entertainment Centers (FECs) are feeling the strain. Managing a high-energy venue packed with families, birthday parties, and large groups is already a challenge—now add a thinner workforce, and things can quickly become overwhelming.
But here’s the good news: smart automation can bridge the gap, helping FECs operate smoothly with fewer hands on deck. The secret? Mobile ordering, self-checkout kiosks, and RFID payment systems—game-changing Family Entertainment Center POS solutions that keep guests happy, service seamless, and operations efficient.
Mobile Ordering
Long food and drink lines kill the fun. When guests spend more time waiting than playing, frustration sets in, and your staff is left scrambling.
With mobile ordering for family entertainment centers, guests can order food and drinks directly from their phones, whether they’re watching their kids play or taking a break from the arcade. No need for extra staff to take orders or process payments—everything is handled digitally. Once the order is ready, guests get real-time notifications for pickup.
The result? Faster service, fewer order bottlenecks, and a smoother guest experience.
Self-Ordering Kiosks
Handling transactions manually is a time drain—for both guests and staff. Self-ordering kiosks for FECs allow visitors to check out on their own, whether they’re grabbing a quick snack, reloading a game card, or purchasing tickets.
Strategically placing kiosks at food stands, arcade entrances, and event check-ins means shorter lines, more efficient service, and fewer staff required to manage transactions. A self-ordering kiosk system also reduces human error and speeds up the ordering process, freeing up employees for higher-value guest interactions.
RFID Wristbands
With RFID payments for FECs, guests no longer have to fumble for cash or credit cards. These preloaded, contactless payment solutions let guests tap to pay for arcade games, food, drinks, and attractions—without waiting in line.
For families, this means less hassle tracking multiple purchases. For operators, it means fewer employees handling transactions and higher guest spending, since prepaid balances encourage guests to make the most of their experience.
RFID POS solutions for entertainment venues also offer seamless integrations with loyalty programs, personalized promotions, and real-time guest tracking—giving operators a powerful tool to increase revenue and guest retention.
Automating Group Payments
FECs thrive on birthday parties, corporate events, and group outings—but managing payments for large groups can be a logistical nightmare. Instead of tying up staff with complicated split payments, let group payment solutions handle the heavy lifting.
With GoTab’s shared tab feature, groups can split payments effortlessly—by person, item, or set amount—right from their mobile devices. Parents can easily manage their kids’ spending, and groups of friends can divide costs without the hassle of Venmo requests at the end of the night.
For private events, Prepaid Event Cards for FECs simplify transactions even further by allowing guests to pre-load funds for food, games, and attractions—eliminating last-minute payment headaches.
The Future of FECs
The reality is, FECs don’t need more staff—they need smarter systems. By automating transactions, streamlining orders, and empowering guests with self-service options, operators can cut labor costs, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall guest experience—all without overburdening a short-staffed team.
Ready to take your FEC to the next level? Explore how GoTab’s FEC POS system can streamline your operations and enhance guest experiences.
Learn More About Our Family Entertainment Center POS Solutions

Tap Room Playbook Episode 2:
When you really think about it, with everything managers need to do in a tap room, the hospitality aspect is often overlooked.
Watch Now →.webp)
Tap Room Playbook Episode 3:
The best breweries pay attention to what their brand stands for. How do the best brewers bring their brand to life?
Watch Now →