Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104120699
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX/ SPECIAL TO ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Since then, he has sold his Eden franchise. He said he continues to make a profit despite the recession.
His Roanoke Putt-Putt Golf and Games, he said, increased profits 26 percent in 1990 over 1989, and was ranked third in the nation among 36-hole Putt-Putt Golf and Games courses for number of plays and dollars. Although his Greensboro location has not done quite as well, he said that it still is growing - about 6-8 percent. It also is ranked in the top 25 among 54-hole courses, according to Franklin, "but there are so many more 54-hole courses, and some are charging as much as $5 when we still charge $3."
The locations' actual admission prices differ - Roanoke's franchise, which remained the same over the last two years, charges $3 for one game, $5 for three, and $15 for 10. The Greensboro location charges $3.50, $6 and $18 for the same number of games.
Two years ago, Franklin was on the brink of creating a jungle motif in his Peters Creek Road location. Since then, he has put in a mountain, water falls, a water run and a number of imitation African animals - according to him, two giraffes, two zebras and "one humongous elephant. We also put in a jungle village to make a backdrop and added video games for rental approximately a year ago."
If there is one regret, this is where it lies. "Nowhere are [the video rentals] doing as well as I liked, and I would not do it again - but I've got my money invested in tapes, and I've got the computer set up." To realize a return on his investment, he said, takes a long time.
However, six years ago when he relocated to Peters Creek Road, he did put in a video game room, and this has done well. "The people come to play Putt-Putt, see the video games, and play for a quarter," he said.
He has nothing but praise for this franchise, because its sole purpose, he said, "is to protect and help people in this field. We work together, meet every year and set plans." Right now, they are talking about incorporating batting cages, but at about $100,000 for the investment, he is not going to act on this immediately.
Donna Lloyd, director of public relations for Putt-Putt Golf and Games, said there are 286 locations, which is down from two years ago because Australian locations have been eliminated. Three are under construction. She said that the video game rooms, which Franklin said helped his business, enabled Putt-Putt franchises to move to all-weather operations. The start-up franchise fee remains at $15,000, with a 3 percent royalty fee. "We never had a year that we didn't experience growth," said Lloyd.
Franklin said that 32 years ago, he did less than $9,000 in business. This year he will do more than $100,000, just in the golf course alone. "The recession has hurt us, but we are still showing a profit. We have practically cut out advertising," he said, "but our best advertising is by far our satisfied customer. That is the point that will make anybody's business go. Just make sure that what you do is what your customer is looking for, if you're in the service end of it. If he's satisfied, chances are you'll see him again."
He said that he runs a clean, neat operation with soft music, friendly service and the best prices.
"They didn't come here to give me money, they came here to have a good time."
CORRECTION
PUBLISHED CORRECTION RAN THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1991 AND RAN IN ALL FOUR NEIGHBORS EDITIONS
Because of information furnished to the newspaper, the cost of games at Putt-Putt Golf and Games was incorrect in the April 11 editions of Neighbors. The correct charges are: one game for $3.50; two for $5; three for $6; 10 for $17; and 12 for $18.
Memo: correction