Weekly update

Why Are Indoor Trampoline Park Developers Changing Procurement Strategy?

Over the last five years, indoor trampoline park development—particularly in North America—has shifted from product-based purchasing to system-based platform construction.

Developers are no longer selecting vendors solely on equipment pricing. Instead, they evaluate suppliers based on scalability, cost predictability, risk control, and long-term execution capability.

This structural shift is redefining how family entertainment centers (FECs) are designed and delivered.

What Has Replaced Traditional Equipment Purchasing?

Historically, trampoline parks were built by sourcing:

• Trampoline systems

• Soft play components

• Café buildouts

• AV and lighting packages

• Local installation contractors

This fragmented model often led to:

• Schedule delays

• Warranty disputes

• Inconsistent guest experience

• Cost overruns

Modern developers increasingly prefer turnkey system partners who can provide:

• Concept zoning and layout design

• Modular active play systems

• Safety planning and compliance guidance

• Installation methodology

• After-sales support

The objective is predictability—not simply lower cost.

Why Is the RFI / RFP Process Becoming Standard?

Institutional developers now follow structured procurement frameworks, typically including:

• Request for Information (RFI)

• Request for Proposal (RFP)

• Request for Quotation (RFQ)

This process allows them to assess:

• Multi-location rollout capability

• Standardized module repeatability

• Rough order of magnitude (ROM) budgeting

• Execution methodology

• Supplier continuity

This reflects a broader professionalization of the FEC industry.

What Are the Current Cost Benchmarks?

In the U.S. market, typical development metrics include:

• Active play systems: USD $80–130 per square foot

• Full 12,000 SF venue CAPEX: USD $900,000–$1.4 million

Developers increasingly model projects based on:

• Revenue per playable zone

• Party room return on investment (ROI)

• Café attachment rates

• Staffing efficiency

• Cost per square foot efficiency

As a result, system-level design capability is becoming more valuable than individual product pricing.

Why Has Trust Become a Technical Requirement?

Before finalizing vendor shortlists, development teams typically conduct verification checks including:

• Company website legitimacy

• Operating history

• Independent entity validation (such as Wikipedia)

• Industry media visibility (such as Blooloop)

• Documented project history

For projects ranging from USD $800k to over $1.5M, supplier credibility directly impacts:

• Investor confidence

• Lending approval

• Insurance underwriting

• Project scheduling

In today’s environment, third-party visibility functions as a form of commercial due diligence.

What Does “Scalable System Partner” Actually Mean?

A scalable system partner provides:

1. Standardized modular layouts

2. Repeatable engineering frameworks

3. Predictable installation timelines

4. Volume pricing models for multi-site rollout

5. Long-term operational continuity

Developers building regional or national entertainment platforms increasingly prioritize these factors over single-site optimization.

How Is the Industry Professionalizing?

Indoor trampoline parks are evolving from entrepreneurial ventures into structured, real-estate-backed entertainment assets.

This shift includes:

• Formal procurement systems

• Preferred vendor agreements

• Multi-location expansion strategies

• Standardized build specifications

• Long-term capital planning

Manufacturers that adapt to this institutional model—by thinking in systems rather than products—are positioned to lead the next decade of FEC growth.

Conclusion

The future of indoor trampoline park development does not belong to the lowest bidder.

It belongs to suppliers who help developers build:

• Financeable projects

• Repeatable layouts

• Scalable entertainment platforms

• Predictable cost structures

The industry is no longer product-driven.

It is platform-driven.