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FT reporters test Sandbox VR, Flight Club, Board & Brush | Franchise News

Have you ever wondered what consumers think about your franchise? Each month, the Franchise Times editorial team examines three brands in a different genre and reports on them in FT Undercover.








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From left: Unleash your inner artist with Board & Brush, Sandbox VR offers top-notch virtual reality gaming, and Flight Club’s games are suitable for all skill levels.


Accompanying craft courses such as those offered at Board & Brush are perfect for aspiring artists or, in this case, total non-artists. Unlike a traditional paint and sip class where students paint step by step, Board & Brush uses stencils, paint and wood. The resulting projects are perfect as gifts and are easy to create while still looking professional. Board & Brush franchisees bring the creative studio to you, as was the case when Franchise Times held a corporate event at its Minneapolis office. The brand offers workshops in its studios and can customize its activities for birthdays, company outings and more, giving franchisees a number of revenue streams. Pre-scheduled workshops offer a choice of media and designs, such as wall hangings, welcome signs and more. The price is $74 per person, including all necessary materials. At a time when companies are trying to get their employees back to the office, Board & Brush and similar franchises can serve as an incentive. FT chose the winter-themed route during their event, with helpful staff guiding the group to ensure everyone went home with a beautiful wooden sign.

The conclusion: Board & Brush was a hit among FT colleagues, and a local shop has bachelorette and birthday parties on its program. —EW


Screams marked a good time in a new Sandbox VR Location near Minneapolis. The virtual reality franchise has 34 units across the United States and features multiple games. Sandbox charges $55 per person, which sounds expensive, but VR headsets are expensive. Each session lasts 45 minutes, and while it’s not marketed as a workout, you’ll work up a sweat. This group of three opted for the zombie-themed Deadwood Mansion, and it was a blast, thanks in part to the full-body gear that isn’t clunky. It slowly eases you into the VR experience before the challenge ramps up. As a beginner in virtual reality, walking in the gear and easing motion sickness takes practice, but this one went smoothly. This location has gained a repeat customer who can’t wait to see what other adventures await. A short video at the end even captured the comedy of the session as we fought zombies that only we could see. The initial investment can approach $2 million, making Sandbox VR one of the more expensive experience franchises. Average sales across its 23 stores last year were $1.9 million, so the high cost may be worth it.

The conclusion: At $55 per person, Sandbox VR isn’t the cheapest way to spend 45 minutes, but it’s affordable as far as virtual reality goes and offers a quality experience. —MG


Are there places to play darts without dingy bars with sticky floors and the foul smell of stale beer and cigarettes? Flying Club proved itself with its polished English saloon ambience, selection of quality cocktails and a menu that skews upscale with dishes like pork belly bao buns and lobster elote dip. This location near Chicago’s Riverwalk was bustling on a Thursday afternoon as happy hour began. Semi-private dartboard areas offer comfortable seating and digital multiplayer games like Demolition and Quack Shot, played with metal darts. For both novice and dart shooters, the experience is just right. Action replays recorded during each game add even more entertainment and are later emailed as Flight Club Stories, adding a social and shareable factor. Venues take bookings for small groups of two to 12 people for $15 per person for a 90-minute session. Private event packages are available. With locations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston and Las Vegas, as well as branches in the UK and Australia, Flight Club is growing in key markets.

The conclusion: With interactive games and an atmosphere enhanced by world-class food and drink, even novices can enjoy the Flight Club experience. —LM

By Bronte

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