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A bowler in Seattle is heading up a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Lucky Strike Entertainment —which formerly operated under the name Bowlero — of buying up existing bowling alleys and throttling the ability of smaller, independent alleys to compete.
Benjamin Doehr and 10 other plaintiffs from other states said in a complaint that they have been harmed by the company’s practices.
The plaintiffs are accusing Lucky Strike Entertainment of intentionally buying up and consolidating bowling alleys in local markets with the intention of then raising prices, which they argue has reduced the quality of their bowling experience, King 5 Seattle reports.
According to the complaint, Bowlero only operated six centers in the U.S. in 2012, but then exploded in the following years. It now operates nearly 350 bowling alleys, primarily from purchasing independent operators and bowling chains.
Doehr said in the complaint that he is an avid bowler in Seattle and noticed a quality drop in the lanes owned by Lucky Strike Entertainment despite the higher prices the company charges. The lawsuit claims the company’s aim is to “squeeze as much money as possible out of hard-working families once they are in the door,” according to the New York Post.
The plaintiffs said that league registration fees, food prices, and the general cost of renting a lane have all increased under Lucky Strike Entertainment’s ownership. Doehr also claimed that the company had cancelled league events at the alley to make room for corporate events.
“This lawsuit is a meritless attempt by a startup plaintiffs’ firm to generate headlines at the expense of a company that has spent more than three decades expanding opportunities for the sport of bowling and the communities we serve,” a Lucky Strike Entertainment spokesperson told The Post in a statement.
Lucky Strike Entertainment’s location in Times Square was charging $156.47 for four bowlers to rent a lane to two hours on Friday. After 4 pm, the price jumps to $270.66 — and that’s before buying any food or drinks, thePost reports.
The complaint further accuses the company of failing to properly oil its lanes and degrading the bowling experience by replacing traditional pins with “string” pins — bowling pins with nylon cords attached to their heads.
The proposed lawsuit also takes aim at Lucky Strike Entertainment’s business practices, accusing it of using its larger size to negotiate better terms from suppliers, which gives it an advantage over independent operators. The plaintiffs argued that Lucky Strike raising its rates also encouraged other local bowling alleys to increase their prices as well.
The lawsuit demands a jury trial, and the plaintiffs are seeking damages, restitution and injunctive relief. They want the court to reverse the company’s acquisitions of bowling centers and to block it from future acquisitions. It also wants to block the company from using supplier agreement that it argues hurts independent operators.
“This Court has the power to preserve the century-long tradition of operating bowling centers in this country as a fair and honest line of business providing all Americans, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, the opportunity to gather and engage in a national pastime at fair prices,” the lawsuit said.
The Independent has requested comment from Lucky Strike Entertainment.
