Texas FEC operator bought by Australian firm

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

A Dallas operator of six family entertainment centers in Texas has been acquired by an Australian concern in a cash deal worth up to $51 million. The purchase means the company could see its concept launched Down Under within a year. Main Event Entertainment was sold for $45 million to Macquarie Leisure Trust Group. The deal includes a $6 million "earnout" provision, meaning Main Event could receive that extra cash if it meets certain profitability targets in fiscal 2007.

Read more from Dallas Business Journal via MSNBC.

The article didn't mention this, but Macquarie Leisure is the company which owns and operates Dreamworld and the new WhiteWater World (with the LIM rocket slide).

This was announced back in August but I didn't think it coaster-related enough to submit it. They're a good company who know that this is a long-term industry and aren't out to make a quick buck. They operate with higher profit margins than most park operators, which comes at the expense of park and attraction quality, but I shouldn't think this will negatively affect this style of indoor amusement centre.

Although this doesn't mean a lot to the amusement park world, it does have a tremendous effect on the bowling industry. Neil Hupfauer was the recipient of the bowling proprietor of the year a couple of years ago for his new business model involving bowling and FECs. It is also of note that Macquarie is diversifying some, but still in the recreation industry.

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