Monster Mini Golf is a franchised chain of entertainment centers. The locations feature an indoor, 18-hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, video and redemption arcade games, three-dimensional animatronic props, an in-house radio station and party rooms for hosting birthday parties and other special events. The parent company, Monster Entertainment, LLC is headquartered in Colorado USA. As of January 2011 the chain has 29 locations, either open or under construction, with more planned across the United States.
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History
Founders Christina and Patrick Vitagliano opened the first Monster Mini Golf in the small community of Danielson, Ct., on Memorial Day weekend in 2004.
Before the inception of Monster Entertainment, Christina was the director of marketing for a multi-level entertainment complex in Providence, RI. Patrick was the founder of a sound/lighting/theatrical production company that provided sound and lighting for numerous Broadway theater productions and large concert tours. After marrying in 1997, Christina opened an antique auction house in Connecticut in 1998. Within four years it became one of the largest and most reputable auction houses in the area. In 2003 Christina decided to sell the business as the grueling hours and international travel become tiresome.
The concept for Monster Mini Golf was thought up on the way home from a weekend trip to New York City. Patrick sold his production company in 2004 and the couple combined their experience and talents to launch Monster Mini Golf. It took them five months to build the course and props before opening in an 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) space in an old textile mill that had housed Christina's former auction house. Monster Mini Golf became legal to franchise in November 2005.
Locations
All locations incorporate glow-in-the-dark settings with fluorescent golf balls and monsters. The only consistent features in each franchise are the "Enter at Your Own Risk" sign that hangs above the cast-iron gated entrance to the "cemetery," and the trademark clown statue that escorts customers out after the last hole. Locations typically include two party rooms and an arcade with such things as glow-in-the-dark air hockey tables, custom-made glow-in-the-dark pool tables and arcade games as well as ticket redemption games such as glow Skee Ball.
In 2012, the company opened KISS by Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas, Nevada, a facility based on legendary classic rock band KISS. In addition to the typical Monster Mini Golf fare, the facility also boasts a wedding chapel, a KISS gift shop, and tons of memorabilia on display. The facility also has a number of events, including KISS tribute bands and open mic nights.
Franchise
Monster Mini Golf had been nominated by franchisees for Top New Franchise on Bizzia.com in 2007. Customers have also shown their interest, based on the company’s uniqueness and creativity behind the indoor mini golf concept. Monster Mini Golf sites average 9,000 to 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) and are typically located in strip malls, stand-alone buildings or other commercial spaces. 100% of all franchises are currently owner operated.
Monster Cable vs. Monster Mini Golf
Monster Cable brought suit against Monster Mini Golf in 2006. Noel Lee, The CEO of Monster Cable, claimed that the public would be confused by the similarity of the names Monster Cable and Monster Mini Golf. After mediation and royalty suggestions that the owners deemed to be unfair; Monster Mini Golf launched a grassroots campaign against Monster Cable on the Internet. After receiving more than 200 complaints from the public, Monster Cable dropped the lawsuit and agreed to pay up to $200,000 of Monster Mini Golf's legal fees.