Bowling Centers NAICS 713950

Oct 29, 2025 - Bowling Chain Pinstripes Closes 10 Locations Amid Bankruptcy

• According to a report in USA Today, Pinstripes, a US-based entertainment venue offering bowling, dining, and bocce, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025, citing $143 million in debt. As a result, the company closed 10 locations and is seeking a buyer to sustain operations at eight remaining venues. The development highlights financial pressures facing hybrid entertainment models and signals potential volatility within the US bowling industry. While traditional bowling centers may not be directly impacted, the closure of upscale, multi-experience venues like Pinstripes could influence consumer expectations and investment strategies. The situation underscores the importance of financial agility and diversified revenue streams in a competitive leisure market.
• Employment and wages for bowling centers rose in July 2025 year over year, increasing 6.2% and 4%, respectively, according to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment by bowling centers rose 15.3% in the past three years, higher than the 3.7% growth in overall private employment. Average wages for nonsupervisory employees at amusement, gambling, and recreational industry firms were $20.40 per hour in July 2025. According to the Consumer Price Index, prices for other recreation services, including leisure and entertainment activities, were up 5.1% in September 2025 year over year.

• Duckpin bowling, a scaled-down version of traditional bowling, has been gaining popularity across the US, with cities such as Lansing and Charlottesville opening their first duckpin bowling alleys in summer 2025. Duckpin bowling, which has been around for more than a century, is coming back into favor due to its user-friendly format, with no special bowling shoes or equipment needed. Duckpin bowling incorporates smaller pins, shorter lanes, and a smaller ball about five inches in diameter. According to a WQRF report, duckpin is experiencing a resurgence, “especially in smaller entertainment venues where its compact size and nostalgic appeal attract a new generation of bowlers.”
• Bowling centers face headwinds as consumers signal persistent economic unease, with confidence and sentiment indexes stuck at multi-year lows amid inflation and job market concerns. In September 2025, the Consumer Confidence Index from the Conference Board fell to 94.2, with job optimism down and inflation expectations high. Buying intentions dropped for cars and travel, while interest in homes and smartphones rose. Confidence declined across most age and income groups, especially among households earning $25,000–$35,000 and over $200,000. The consumer sentiment index held at 55 in October 2025 from the previous month, and was down 22% year-over-year, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. Overall, the data signals cautious consumer sentiment, which could dampen spending heading into the holiday season.