NAICS 713950 Quarterly Industry Report
Bowling Centers
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 713950Sector: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 713950 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[7], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], and the Small Business Administration[8]. Our research team analyzes revenue per lane, food and beverage ratios, and league participation metrics to build valuation benchmarks for bowling center operations. This report on NAICS 713950 is updated quarterly to reflect entertainment format trends and consumer recreation spending patterns.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the bowling centers industry.
NAICS Sector
71
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Industry Definition & Overview
Bowling Centers (NAICS 713950) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in operating bowling centers, bowling lanes, and duckpin or candlepin bowling facilities. These venues generate revenue from lane rental fees (by the game or by the hour), league bowling fees, shoe rental, food and beverage service, arcade games, pro shop merchandise, and private event hosting for birthday parties, corporate outings, and social gatherings.
League bowling provided the historical revenue foundation, with teams paying weekly lane fees during multi-month seasons. Open play and casual bowling now generate the larger share at most centers as league participation has declined. Modern bowling entertainment centers combine lanes with full-service dining, bars, arcade gaming, laser tag, and lounge areas to attract a broader demographic beyond traditional league bowlers. Boutique and upscale bowling concepts charge premium per-hour rates and emphasize food, cocktails, and atmosphere.
The Census Bureau[5] tracks bowling center revenue within the recreation sector. Most Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] reports employment for lane mechanics, front desk staff, food service workers, and managers. Pin-setting and scoring equipment requires ongoing maintenance and periodic replacement. Facilities are distributed nationwide, with concentrations in suburban markets where family entertainment demand supports multi-lane operations. Seasonal patterns peak during fall and winter months when league play is most active and outdoor recreation alternatives are limited.
What's Included in This Industry
- Bowling lane rental and game fee collection
- League bowling program management
- Bowling shoe and equipment rental
- Pro shop bowling ball and gear sales
- Food and beverage service at bowling venues
- Arcade gaming and entertainment attractions
- Birthday party and private event hosting
- Corporate team building and group outing packages
- Automated scoring and pin-setting system maintenance
- Cosmic bowling and themed entertainment programming
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 71 |
| Subsector | Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | 713 |
| Industry Group | Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | 7139 |
| NAICS Industry | Bowling Centers | 71395 |
| National Industry | Bowling Centers | 713950 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 713120 | Amusement Arcades | Amusement arcades frequently operate within bowling centers as supplemental entertainment and revenue generators alongside lane operations |
| 713990 | All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | Other recreation businesses including laser tag, mini-golf, and trampoline parks compete for the same family entertainment dollar in suburban markets |
| 713940 | Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | Fitness and sports centers compete for active recreation spending, though bowling appeals to a broader age range and lower physical intensity level |
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-service restaurants increasingly operate within bowling centers, converting traditional snack bars into full dining experiences |
| 722410 | Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) | Drinking places share the social entertainment market and some bowling concepts position bars as the primary attraction alongside lanes |
| 339920 | Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing | Sporting goods manufacturers produce bowling balls, shoes, and accessories sold through pro shops located within bowling center facilities |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 6.5% | 215 |
| 2 | Ohio | 6.4% | 212 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 6.3% | 210 |
| 4 | Illinois | 6.0% | 197 |
| 5 | Michigan | 5.9% | 194 |
| 6 | California | 5.6% | 184 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 5.0% | 166 |
| 8 | Texas | 4.2% | 137 |
| 9 | Indiana | 3.4% | 112 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 3.2% | 106 |
% Of Establishments
0%
7%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
456
Total SBA Loans
$325.7M
Total Loan Volume
$714K
Average Loan Size
15 yrs
Average Loan Term
9.38%
Average Interest Rate
6,320
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[9] for NAICS 713950 is $12.5 million in average annual receipts, classifying bowling centers below this threshold as small businesses for federal programs. Operators can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for equipment, facility renovations, and working capital, while SBA 504 loans[11] support property acquisition. Most bowling centers are independently owned single-location businesses.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Huntington National Bank | 144 | $75.5M | $524K |
| 2 | Waldo State Bank | 16 | $43.2M | $2.7M |
| 3 | Newtek Bank, National Association | 24 | $23.4M | $973K |
| 4 | Brookline Bank, a Division of Beacon Bank and Trust | 8 | $22.4M | $2.8M |
| 5 | Bank Five Nine | 16 | $20.8M | $1.3M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 713950?
NAICS 713950 covers bowling lane operators. This includes traditional league bowling centers, entertainment bowling concepts, duckpin and candlepin facilities, upscale boutique bowling lounges, and multi-activity centers anchored by bowling lanes.
How is NAICS 713950 different from 713990?
NAICS 713950 specifically covers bowling center operations, while 713990 covers broader recreation like mini-golf, go-karts, and trampoline parks. Bowling centers operate lanes as the primary attraction; 713990 covers non-bowling activities, per Census Bureau classifications[12].
What is the SBA size standard for bowling centers?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 713950 at $12.5 million in average annual receipts. Centers below this threshold qualify as small businesses, per the SBA size standards table[9].
What NAICS codes are related to bowling centers?
Related codes include 713120 (arcades), 713990 (other recreation), 713940 (fitness), 722511 (restaurants), 722410 (bars), and 339920 (sporting goods). Each connects through entertainment, dining, or equipment supply.
What industries are closely related to bowling?
Closely related industries include arcades (713120), family entertainment (713990), food service (722511), bar operations (722410), and bowling equipment manufacturing (339920).
What activities are included in bowling operations?
Activities include lane management, league coordination, shoe rental, pro shop sales, food and beverage service, arcade gaming, party hosting, cosmic bowling events, and scoring system maintenance. The Census Bureau[5] tracks bowling revenue.
Can bowling centers get SBA loans?
Where are bowling centers concentrated?
Bowling centers operate nationwide in suburban retail corridors and commercial districts. Higher densities appear in the Midwest, Northeast, and Texas, where league bowling traditions remain strong, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[13].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [8]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [9]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [12]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [13]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
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