Franchise Opportunities

So you want to open a game store?

So did we! In early 2006, Paul and I got together and decided that we wanted to open a new kind of game store. I had recently made a trip back to the US to visit my brother in Chicago, during which time I thought it’d be fun to go and check out all of my old game shop haunts. Having played at five or six different places while I lived there some eight years previously, I went around, and around... and what I found was quite disturbing. Every game store that I used to frequent was closed down. Not under new management, not moved across town – closed. Unfortunately, that’s generally the way of game stores. They open and then they close. For a variety of reasons, I’m sure, not the least of which being that it’s certainly harder (and more work) than it appears to be.

Given the rather morbid outlook for the typical game store, we put a lot of thought into what makes a store successful, what the larger issues are, and what we can do differently, so that when you visit one of our stores in ten years, it’s still there.

We think we’ve put together a good plan to enable that to happen. We currently have a variety of stores, all of them quite different in some ways, and very similar in others. Our objective is to cater to the gamer. Full stop. We aren’t a ‘family board game, jigsaw, and novelty store’. We are the game store that gamers go to when they can’t get what they want elsewhere. We aim to have the full range of gaming products, from the popular to the obscure. We aim to enable gamers to play their games to the highest level, with daily events, a massive singles collection (literally millions of cards), and expert knowledge on all gaming subjects.

Good Games is able to provide a rather unique situation when it comes to opening up and running a game store.

  • We currently own and operate the de facto fan sites for the largest games we support (mtgparadise.com, wargamerau.com, ygoparadise.com, etc) and continually work to maintain and expand on that. This provides an unparalleled engine to connect with local gamers with respect to what’s happening at the store, events, new releases, etc.
  • We have ever-increasing buying power. We work hard to negotiate the best deals with all our suppliers to make sure that our margins are better and we can compete on any pricing level. This is not just limited to inventory/stock but also includes reduced rates on a variety of business costs and assistance with lease negotiations.
  • We have, in a relatively short time, developed a brand known by gamers Australia-wide. We attend all the major (and some of the minor conventions) such as Supanova, Gencon, Armageddon, Cancon, etc – with a view to continually push the Good Games name. We have undertaken a variety of advertising situations that are generally not possible by the standalone game store – including cinema advertising, large scale web campaigns, and soon such things as printed catalogues and other new technology advertising.
  • We have a centralised inventory of Magic, YuGiOh, World of Warcraft and other TCG singles of over 2,000,000 cards and growing – an inventory that is accessible and saleable by all Good Games stores – worth in excess of half a million dollars. Secondary singles market operations are generally the hardest part of running a game store due to the pure inventory cost – we’ve alleviated that problem altogether.
  • We currently have over twenty full time and casual staff that compose a network of gaming expertise to draw on that is unrivalled. Given our massive range of opening hours, there is always someone available, somewhere, to help you through the difficult situations
  • Expanding on that – we’re continually looking for new products to market and sell. Keeping track of everything that’s going on in the gaming industry is a job in and of itself – with Good Games, you can be sure that not only will your store have all the latest and greatest gaming products, but even some unique ones that we alone import/distribute.

So that’s what you’d be getting from us, what is it that we need from you?

We’re realistic. We know that most game stores are run by gamers and that the majority of Good Games franchises will be owner-operated. The typical franchise candidate would be someone, probably in their late 20’s to 40’s who has done some other sort of work in life and is ready to make a change/follow a dream and adopt a new sort of lifestyle in owning a game store of their own. Or not. Every store situation is different, and we’re not about to put any limits on what can or can’t happen. Enthusiasm is essential. A good attitude and hard work are critical - knowing how to squeeze an extra point on your gross margin or having a degree in business isn’t – that’s why we’re here.

What will it cost? This would largely depend on the area that you’re looking at, if it’s regional, urban, city center, back of burke, etc. For the smallest of situations, a total initial investment would range from $25-$35,000. For a large, well stocked city store this could range up to $75,000. We have lots of tricks and hints to keep costs low, but as with any business, there are still costs involved.

If you think you’re situation would be on a smaller scale check Good Games Express as that may be another option So, having said all that, we’re happy to discuss things further. Best initial contact is by dropping us an email at franchise@goodgames.com.au

While we’re open to most things, we’re also quite serious – we’d advise that you have a serious think through this before contacting us. Running a game store is by far the best job I’ve ever had, but it’ll damn sure change your life. Something to ponder on a while.

May all your games be Good Games!
Scott Hunstad