Now, the billiards industry is booming, with more and more young people getting involved in this sport. Spike Billiard Table Factory not only sells billiard tables and related supplies but also has independently developed an unmanned self-service payment system. Let’s share the operating experience of our partners.
Three years ago, I opened an 80-square-meter self-service billiard hall near an office building. Now, it steadily generates over 20,000 yuan in monthly profits, with repeat customers accounting for more than 60%. This transformation from a “newcomer” to a “light-asset owner” is due to solving industry pain points and, more importantly, choosing the right tool – the self-service consumption system from Spike Billiard Table Factory, which has turned 24-hour unmanned operation from a concept into a sustainable business.
Choosing the Right Equipment: The “Invisible Manager” of a Self-Service Billiard Hall
When I first researched traditional billiard halls, I found that labor costs could make up 35% of monthly expenses, and business hours were limited by employee schedules, completely wasting the prime time of late night and early morning. After deciding to adopt the self-service model, equipment became the first obstacle: ordinary billiard tables paired with scattered billing systems were not only unstable but also required frequent manual reconciliation.
When I got in touch with Spike Billiard Table Factory, their integrated solution addressed my core concerns. Their self-service consumption system is directly embedded in the billiard table hardware: customers scan a code to turn on the lights, which starts the timing, and the system automatically settles the bill when the game ends, with no manual intervention throughout the process. More importantly, the system is seamlessly connected with WeChat and Alipay, supporting member deposits, coupon redemption, and time-based pricing – for example, setting a 30% rate increase after 22:00, making nighttime revenue a profit highlight.
I remember that in the first month of opening, there was a heavy rain. I saw through the backend that Table 3 had been in use for 4 consecutive hours. The system automatically sent an overtime reminder, and I remotely sent a drink redemption coupon. Later, this customer became a member who spends more than 10 times a month. This kind of “unmanned but not unfeeling” service is exactly the flexibility brought by the Spike system.
Space Design: Reducing Operating Costs with “Self-Service Logic”
There is a principle in the spatial planning of a self-service billiard hall: let customers “have no need to ask for help”. Following the layout plan provided by Spike Factory, I divided the 80-square-meter area into 3 independent billiard zones, each equipped with code-scanning lockers and self-service vending machines. The billiard tables used are 9-foot Chinese eight-ball tables from Spike. Their wear-resistant table cloth and silent steel rail design can remain free of major repairs for half a year even with high-frequency use, greatly reducing the maintenance frequency.
The detailed design of the system is more thoughtful: after scanning the code, customers receive a graphic “user guide” that includes the table activation process, cue rack location, and emergency contact information; the backend can monitor the status of the billiard tables in real-time. Once, the system indicated that the light of Table 2 was abnormal. When I contacted a technician to come over, it was found that the circuit was loose, avoiding customer complaints. This “preventive maintenance” saves nearly 50% of after-sales costs compared to handling problems passively.
Customer Acquisition and Retention: The “Traffic Engine” Built into the System
The self-service model does not mean “unmanaged”; instead, it frees up manpower for customer management. The member management function of the Spike system helped me achieve precise segmentation: launching a “9.9 yuan for 1 hour of unlimited play on weekdays” lunch package for nearby office workers, and locking in long-term customers through deposit incentives. Currently, member consumption accounts for 75%.
What is most surprising is the system’s social sharing capability. During the World Cup last year, I set up an activity where “a group of 3 players gets 1 free”. Customers automatically grouped through the link generated by the system, and the number of daily table activations exceeded 50, twice the usual number. This LBS-based local sharing is 10 times more efficient than traditional leafleting.
Pitfall Avoidance Guide: 3 Key Insights for Self-Service Operation
Among the mistakes I made, there are three lessons worth sharing: first, I initially bought 16 tables, thinking more was better, leading to a high vacancy rate. Later, Spike provided a layout plan and reduced the number to 12, which actually increased the per-square-meter efficiency by 40%; second, nighttime security must be emphasized. I installed smart monitors in addition to the Spike system, which are linked to the system to trigger “automatic alarms for abnormal door openings”; third, do not overlook offline details, such as equipping each table with alcohol wipes and spare chalk. These low-cost investments can significantly improve the repurchase rate.
The after-sales team of Spike Factory also provided great help. When the system was launched, they sent professionals to debug it on-site. Later, they sent weekly business data reports, informing me that “2-4 pm on Thursdays is a low period” and suggesting a “ladies’ half-price” promotion, which increased the utilization rate of that period from 20% to 65%. This combination of “equipment + service” makes it easy even for technical novices to get started.
Now, my billiard hall has 30-40 stable table activations every day, with labor costs accounting for only 8% of expenses, truly realizing the original intention of “making money effortlessly”. The core of a self-service billiard hall is not “unmanned” but using the system to replace repetitive work, allowing more energy to be focused on understanding user needs. Choosing a manufacturer with mature solutions like Spike is equivalent to starting a business based on industry experience – this is perhaps the most reliable shortcut for the light-asset model.