Sandbox VR, the operator of a sequence of location-based digital actuality experiences, plans for a giant enlargement with franchisees.
The corporate stated it noticed 60% progress in franchise offers within the second with plans to open 280 new franchise areas within the subsequent 4 years.
This announcement comes on the heels of opening Sandbox VR’s fiftieth retailer on August 15. Positioned on the Gold Coast, the brand new location is the primary Sandbox VR in Australia, increasing its world presence to 4 continents and 9 international locations.
Since opening its first retailer in Hong Kong in 2017, Sandbox VR has quickly grown its world footprint with thriving corporate-owned areas and a strong franchising program. In the present day, its world areas see over 100k gamers month-to-month.
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In 2023, the corporate topped 1.2 million tickets bought and has seen a 33% year-over-year improve in 2024 ticket gross sales. Sandbox VR’s company areas—37 in whole—hit a income milestone with a mean retailer topping $1.9 million yearly.
Sandbox VR’s franchise program launched in 2019 for worldwide markets and opened up for U.S. territories in April of this yr. In these 4 months, 33% of accessible Sandbox VR U.S. franchise territories have been claimed by new and present franchise companions.
Franchising has been instrumental in making Sandbox VR the quickest rising location-based VR startup
globally, and this U.S. momentum indicators continued speedy progress, the corporate stated. Restricted alternatives for prime areas and territory exclusivity are nonetheless out there within the U.S.
“When I started building Sandbox VR, I set out to build the future of entertainment. I never would have succeeded without the right team of people helping me build the world’s most immersive experiences using bleeding edge virtual reality technology.” stated Steve Zhao, CEO of Sandbox VR, in a press release. “As we set our sights on expanding globally, we know it’s critical to work with the right partners.”
Zhao added, “We are thrilled to announce the 50th Sandbox VR location in collaboration with our franchise partners, Bao Phung and Keith Le, and look forward to working with passionate franchise partners from around the globe to open hundreds more in the next four years.”
Sandbox VR’s United Kingdom and Eire franchise associate, VR Leisure Group, is proof of the energy of the Sandbox VR franchise program, the corporate stated. Since launching its first retailer in London in July 2022—and its second in Birmingham a yr later— it has surpassed $10 million in income.
“We considered a different location-based virtual reality company when it came to exploring our franchise opportunities but ultimately determined that we wanted to partner with Sandbox VR, the leader in the category,” stated Bao Phung, proprietor of Sandbox VR Gold Coast, in a press release. “Partnering with Sandbox VR was the most advantageous and strategic decision for our business, allowing us to introduce Australia to immersive games you can’t play anywhere else on the world’s most immersive full-body VR platform. The Gold Coast, which attracts 13 million visitors annually, is the natural choice for our first location. We look forward to introducing locals and visitors alike to a whole new reality.”
In London alone, VR Leisure Group has seen a 16.8% improve in company year-to-date and initiatives their 2024 income to prime $5 million.
“I believe our success is due to the strength of our partnership with Sandbox VR,” stated Andy Scanlon, CEO of VR Leisure Group, in a press release. “Their world class VR, brand, and wider corporate team, with our local expertise and determination to build Sandbox VR into the leading immersive entertainment brand in the UK & Ireland, has led to a nexus delivering truly amazing experiences for our guests.”
Sandbox VR is creating the way forward for leisure by constructing the world’s most immersive which captures the actions of a participant’s complete physique, combines with high-quality haptics to offer gamers with unprecedented realism and full immersion that’s not doable with dwelling VR or different location-based VR platforms. Visitors’ personal our bodies act as their sport controllers; all they must do is step into the digital world and take part within the motion unfolding throughout them.
All Sandbox VR experiences—eight in whole—are developed by in-house gaming studios in Hong Kong and Vancouver, led by sport business veterans and are particularly designed for teams to play as social experiences. Groups of as much as six freely roam and discover digital worlds collectively, whereas counting on one another to succeed.