Intercard, the cashless payment provider, has provided its cashless technology solutions to Fun Plaza Family Fun Center in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Intercard is proud to have introduced a cashless solution to another much-loved family attraction, which will allow arcade visitors to enjoy both vintage and modern games at Fun Plaza Family Fun Center without any hassle. With the summer season in full swing, revenues at the popular arcade are up 30-40% since the installation.
Fun Plaza is home to over 200 games and is well-loved by visitors to the resort of Myrtle Beach. Families have been coming to the attraction for generations. The open-air arcade caters for both young and old audiences, with modern games such as Tomb Raider positioned alongside classic favourites like Skee-Ball and 1957 Williams baseball pinball.
Modernising, without losing the charm
Third-generation owner Jimmy Waldorf wanted to make life easier for his loyal customers by installing cashless technology but did not want to compromise the charm of the arcade, which began in 1938 and has been in the family ever since.
Waldorf chose Intercard because of its advanced technology and reputation for great service. “Everybody was telling me the difference between Intercard and the others is the service,” says Waldorf. “I call Intercard and they answer the phone, boom, boom, boom. So I said, well that’s what I need to do, so I went with Intercard.”
Cashless technology eliminates frustrating coin and ticket jams, which slow down gameplay for visitors. Waldorf was also able to lower his labour costs and use his staff more efficiently. Fun Plaza’s new Intercard system has over 300 iReaders as well as five Intercard iTeller kiosks. It also includes five Balance and Recycle Stations. These let customers easily check their redemption points between plays.
Fun for all
Waldorf was initially unsure installing card readers on his prized baseball machines, not wanting to impact on the nostalgic experience. “But I come to find out that maybe 90% of the people that come into the arcade are using the card and only 10% are using quarters,” says Waldorf. “So only 10% of my people are playing the baseballs and you know, some of my baseballs are losing out.”
The flexible Intercard system allowed him to set up the machines to take both cards and quarters. “I went ahead and put card readers on the baseball machines and now I got back to 100% of the people having the ability to play the games, whether they use quarters or they use card swipe.”
The system was installed in February 2019 during the off-season, and Waldorf saw a 25% jump in revenue from card play. Now that the summer season is underway, he says revenues are up 30-40%, although some of that can be attributed to having added air-conditioning as well.
“Jimmy has an amazing place. I think it’s one of the best arcades I have seen anywhere,” says Todd DeMott, Waldorf’s Intercard sales rep and a veteran arcade operator. “It’s right on the boardwalk and now that he has a cashless system, it’s an unbeatable place for fun and convenience.”
Intercard recently has installed its latest systems at all four Farah family entertainment centres in Qatar. Now, paying for rides, games and attractions at these FECs is seamless thanks to the cashless technology.
