What Your Business Needs

What it is

Choose a structure; confirm registration, tax accounts, zoning and required business permissions.

Why it matters

A concept or lease does not establish permission to operate.

When it applies

Every concept; exact filings depend on location and structure.

Confirm locally: State business registry, revenue agency and city/county licensing or planning office

What it is

Confirm the proposed use, occupancy limits, buildout approvals and required inspections before opening.

Why it matters

Avoid committing to a site or unit that cannot support the operation.

When it applies

New venues, changes of use and applicable alterations.

Confirm locally: City/county planning and building office, fire authority; mobile-food regulator and transport authority when applicable

What it is

Review permitted use, insurance limits, maintenance duties, signage, hours and approval conditions.

Why it matters

Contractual obligations can be a condition of access or opening.

When it applies

Where the business leases a site or trades under a host agreement.

What it is

Confirm activity permits, inspections, operating restrictions and any applicable prize/game rules.

Why it matters

Attraction and gaming definitions vary; the activity name alone does not establish the rules.

When it applies

Only obligations triggered by the selected activity and local law.

Confirm locally: State/local amusement or gaming regulator, building and fire authorities

What it is

Assess liability, property, business interruption and activity-specific risks; arrange coverage appropriate to the business.

Why it matters

Protect guests, people and continuity; coverage is not identical across concepts.

When it applies

Every concept; include liquor, attractions or mobile exposures when selected.

What it is

Confirm statutory coverage and the insurance conditions of leases, lenders, hosts and equipment agreements.

Why it matters

Missing a required policy can prevent lawful operation or breach an agreement.

When it applies

Only policies triggered by the applicable law or signed agreement; workers’ compensation thresholds vary.

Confirm locally: State insurance or workers’ compensation authority; landlord, host and lender

What it is

Provide safe power, water, sanitation and guest circulation; plan evacuation, first response and incident reporting.

Why it matters

The team needs a safe operating environment and a clear response when something goes wrong.

When it applies

Every concept; mobile units require a utility and fuel safety plan.

What it is

Confirm code requirements, inspections, capacity, extinguishers and any suppression or alarm systems.

Why it matters

Required systems depend on the site, cooking, fuel and occupancy.

When it applies

When the authority requires them; this does not mean every venue needs every system.

Confirm locally: Local building official, fire marshal and sanitation authority

What it is

Review accessible routes, service access, restrooms where provided, policies and reasonable modifications.

Why it matters

Covered U.S. public accommodations have federal obligations in addition to applicable local rules.

When it applies

Covered U.S. public accommodations; other countries need their own review.

Confirm locally: DOJ ADA resources, qualified accessibility professional and local building official

What it is

Provide maintained games, clear play pricing and a workable credit/coin process. If offering prizes, plan stock and redemption controls.

Why it matters

Guests need an experience that is safe, functional and consistently delivered.

When it applies

Arcade and redemption areas; a cashless system is not mandatory for every arcade.

What it is

Staff the actual demand; train service standards, equipment use and escalation responsibilities.

Why it matters

A system does not replace capable people or clear ownership.

When it applies

Businesses with employees; attraction roles need activity-specific training.

What it is

Confirm hiring records, wage and hour rules, youth work restrictions, required training and workplace safety obligations.

Why it matters

Employment requirements depend on the workforce, jurisdiction and job duties.

When it applies

When employing people; tipped roles and hazardous tasks need additional review.

Confirm locally: Labor department, applicable OSHA/state-plan authority and employment counsel

What it is

Set prices, accept the payment methods you offer, issue receipts and reconcile sales.

Why it matters

The business must be able to transact and keep accurate records. A premium POS is optional.

When it applies

All concepts; ticketing, game cards or timed access depend on the experience.

What it is

Confirm applicable card-data security obligations, device setup and incident responsibilities with your processor.

Why it matters

Payment contracts can impose security requirements; scope depends on your payment flow.

When it applies

When accepting cards under a merchant or payment-provider agreement.

What it is

Plan routine cleaning, secure chemical storage, waste removal and pest prevention.

Why it matters

Basic cleanliness protects the guest experience and keeps the business usable.

When it applies

All concepts; grease and food waste services depend on the menu.

What it is

Budget the opening, working capital, bills and tax obligations; keep sales and spending records.

Why it matters

Opening-day cash is not enough if the business cannot cover its next operating cycle.

When it applies

All concepts; a basic system can work before advanced software is justified.

What it is

Assign responsibility for safe opening, secure closing, cleaning and defect escalation.

Why it matters

A repeatable check makes the operation dependable.

When it applies

All concepts; tailor checks to the unit, venue and experiences.