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White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group, Kansas City, MO, USA

The impact of the declining birthrate on adult-oriented LBEs

We've been providing extensive enewsletter coverage (www.whitehutchinson.com/ news/ agrinews/ 2026/ march/ article105.shtml) of the ongoing decline in the birthrate since 2007 and of its impact on the market for children's entertainment and family entertainment centers (FECs). The 2025 birthrate was one-sixth lower than in 2007. There are 8.1 million fewer children today than there would be if the 2007 birthrate had remained unchanged.

As a result of the declining birthrate, the number of households without children headed by someone under 45, the primary target market for most adult-oriented location-based entertainment centers (LBEs), including competitive socializing and social eatertainment venues, is increasing, while the number of <45 households with children has been decreasing.

Since 2015, the number of <45 households with children has declined by 1.7 million, to 45% of all <45 households, while the number of <45 households without children has increased by 5.0 million, to 55% of all <45 households.

The largest increase in households without children has occurred among households headed by adults ages 25-34, the bullseye target age for most adult-oriented LBEs. Their numbers have increased by 29%, or 3.0 million.

If current trends continue, in ten years, the number of <45 households with children will decline by another 1.8 million, to 39% of all <45 households, while <45 households without children will increase by another 5.0 million, to 61% of all households.

The growing number and share of households without children are affecting the design and operation of many LBEs. It wasn't that long ago that LBE venues targeted both families and adults. This included many bowling centers and family entertainment centers (FECs). Back then, with few truly adult-oriented venues other than Dave & Buster's, adults who preferred not to mix with families and children tolerated going to those venues. That has now changed, as the adult-only market that wants to visit adult-focused LBEs without kids or teenagers is large enough to support adult-only venues. And that includes adults with kids who want an adult night out without the children, so the adult market is much larger than just households without children.

The growth of adult-oriented LBEs has raised adults' expectations, as they now have an alternative to tolerating family-oriented venues. In the U.S., Topgolf (2005), Pinstripes (2007), and Punch Bowl Social (2012) started the trend toward adult-oriented venues. But it wasn't until Flight Club opened in Chicago in 2018 with its social eatertainment concept that adult-focused venue growth really took off in the U.S. Now, adult-oriented venues of many types, including boutique bowling, competitive socializing, and social eatertainment, are opening rapidly throughout the U.S.

Now that alternatives fit their preferences, adults are frequenting the adult venues and visiting the FECs when they want to go with their children. Even so, the adult venues have raised many parents' expectations for the food, beverage, and hospitality they'll find at the family venues. 

This is definitely not good news for family entertainment venues, including FECs and most bowling centers, as the number of children and households with children continues to decline, and they are also losing much of their adult business to newer adult-oriented LBEs.

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