Splitsville | It’s not your Daddy’s Bowling Alley
May 16th, 2008 - Splitsville is a restaurant concept that offers “gourmet bowling and billiards.” Bowling is a $10 billion industry and is the largest participation sport in the country. This boutique segment of the bowling industry is the fastest growing in the United States. The previous 1950’s-1970’s model of almost exclusively league players, with very little “open bowling,” is reversing. Splitsville is a restaurant first, with 75%-85% of revenue generating from the sale of food and beverages. From gourmet pizzas and fresh rolled sushi to cut filets, Splitsville offers an eclectic menu, a full bar, and a selection of fine wines. Its innovative floor plan creates a comfortable dining and bar atmosphere with bowling lanes introduced in a unique manner. This creates a dynamic environment, allowing customers to choose their level of involvement and interaction with the bowling activity. The appeal of Splitsville is universal and broad-based. Families can enjoy indoor entertainment where the kids eat pizza, hamburgers, and sodas, while the parents watch or participate and enjoy a cold beer, a glass of wine, or a cocktail. Splitsville is successful in drawing the 23-35 year old “glamorous” crowd. The hip design, upscale finishes, and interactive atmosphere make the concept very relevant to this “see and be seen” demographic. Splitsville is also attractive to the very desirable 35+ demographic with its dining opportunity and non-threatening social atmosphere. The concept has enjoyed tremendous success with private parties, conventioneers, and corporate team building. Groups from 10 to 1000 persons have hosted events at Splitsville, and this business results in high margin sales generated during non-peak hours of operation. It also allows them to introduce the Splitsville concept to a large number of new customers.
Leadership
Mark I. Gibson and J. Guy Revelle are the founders and shareholders of Millennium Management Group, Inc. Millennium maintains offices in Orlando and Tampa and is involved in the development, ownership, and operation of various restaurant and entertainment concepts. Millennium has operated Splitsville-Tampa since its inception in December 2003. Millennium will be the operating partner for company locations. Gibson and Revelle are co-founders and partners in Splitsville. Edward C. Droste is the co-founder and a partner in Hooters Restaurants. Hooters originated in Clearwater, Florida, in 1983. The chain currently has 450 units worldwide, including 27 countries, with annual sales approaching 1 billion and a food products business with products in over 10,000 outlets. In conjunction with Hooters Restaurants, Droste formed Provident Advertising and Marketing to coordinate the restaurant chains' promotional activities. In addition, since the opening of the first Hooters, Drost