A new article in Forbes says it best: “Millennials are driving the experience economy; they would rather pay for an experience than a product.” They are also fans of dining out – in fact, the article points to a Bankrate survey that found that the average millennial goes out to eat or purchases take-out food five times a week.

However, despite their frequent food purchases, millennials are getting pickier about where they choose to spend their money and time. And, they are looking to make shareable memories, driven by trends and fads on social media. That’s why the “eatertainment” industry is gaining ground throughout the U.S. Such venues combine eat, drink and play – and while Dave & Buster’s may have been one of the original pioneers in this space (and is forecasting a 14% growth in 2019, according to CNBC), many more have entered the scene in recent years. Take, for example, the arcade-inspired Punch Bowl Social concept, Top Golf, and Denver-based Ace Eat Serve, a ping-pong hall serving Asian street food.

What’s clear from the growth of the eatertainment industry is that younger generations are not only craving social experiences; they are also calling for quality fare that goes way beyond bar food and taps into vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and other diet trends. They also desire greater convenience when it comes to creating experiences at these establishments. Robert Thompson, Founder and CEO of Punch Bowl Social, underscores that point in the Forbes article, stating that “for a business to remain relevant in an ever-changing society that transitions quickly from one fad to the next, you must be adaptable and move with the consumer…[we] are furthering our role as a lifestyle brand by embodying the interests, attitudes, and opinions of our customers.”

Technology is crucial for eatertainment concepts to continue providing the experiences their customers expect. Amicis Lifestyle can help. Our innovative, one-stop-shop solution enables customers to make reservations and appointments, participate in classes or activities, book an event, rent equipment or products and then to receive email confirmations and push-notification reminders with just a few clicks on their smartphone or mobile device. For example, a guest at a Top Golf or similar establishment could book a lesson, rent equipment, or opt to try out a club before purchasing, then book a party and pay for it all using Amicis Lifestyle’s seamless platform.

The solution’s capabilities run the gamut, from labor schedule enforcement to table management, to reservation management, to rentals and services. Learn more by visiting the Amicis Lifestyle product page on our website, or by contacting us today.

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