The Most Popular Escape Room Black Friday Deals Around the World
Hello, escape room owners and data geeks!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are massive opportunities for escape rooms to bring in new customers and boost bookings. This year, escape rooms across the globe used a mix of creative and classic promotions, each tailored to their local markets. From discounts to unique bundles, there’s much to learn about what works and why.
Let’s dive into the data to explore the most popular deals, regional trends, and a few standout examples that might inspire your future promotions.
Discounts on bookings
Offering a discount is the most popular Black Friday deal globally, with around 60% of escape rooms using this strategy. Discounts ranged from 10% to 50%, with the average being 20% off.
Examples by region:
UK: Escape rooms offered a flat 20% discount on all bookings for Black Friday weekend, with some increasing discounts for off-peak hours.
Europe: Some businesses experimented with progressive discounts, offering 15% off for bookings in December and 20% for January.
Australia: Discounts focused on quieter weekdays, reducing prices by 25% to encourage more mid-week visits.
US: Many escape rooms ran 30% off promotions but only for same-day bookings.
Intriguing examples:
A venue in Asia tied its discount to the time of booking: 25% off morning games, 15% off afternoon slots, and 10% off evening games.
In Canada, one escape room offered a surprise discount based on a puzzle customers solved on their booking page.
Why it works: Discounts are straightforward, appeal to a wide audience, and create an immediate sense of value.
BOGOF (Buy-One-Get-One-Free) deals
BOGOF offers were adopted by around 25% of escape rooms, especially in countries where group activities are highly popular.
Examples by region:
North America: BOGOF offers were commonly tied to group sizes, such as “Buy 4, Get 2 Free.”
Scandinavia: Escape rooms leaned on “Bring a Friend Free” deals, ideal for smaller markets with fewer group bookings.
Australia: “Buy One, Gift One Free” vouchers were promoted as ideal Christmas presents.
Intriguing examples:
In parts of Eastern Europe, BOGOF deals came with a twist: participants in the “free” game had to solve a bonus puzzle to unlock their participation.
A venue in South America used BOGOF deals exclusively for new rooms, helping showcase their latest experiences.
Why it works: BOGOF promotions encourage larger group sizes, increase booking volumes, and boost word-of-mouth marketing.
Gift voucher promotions
Gift vouchers were a big focus for 15% of escape rooms, appealing to customers looking for unique holiday presents. These promotions often included bonus credit or discounts.
Examples by region:
UK: Customers who bought £50 gift cards received an extra £10 credit, valid for any room.
Asia: Escape rooms bundled gift vouchers with small branded items, like mugs or puzzles.
US: Some venues allowed customers to “pre-book” gift cards for a specific time slot, simplifying redemption.
Intriguing examples:
In Germany, escape rooms sold vouchers valid for both their physical location and their online escape room games.
A venue in Japan offered gift vouchers with a free “behind-the-scenes” tour of how their rooms are made.
Why it works: Vouchers provide upfront revenue, encourage future bookings, and are a thoughtful gift for puzzle enthusiasts.
Themed packages and add-ons
Themed bundles were used by 10% of escape rooms, offering customers more value with their bookings.
Examples by region:
Europe: Some escape rooms included complimentary themed photos and exclusive props as souvenirs.
Australia: Packages were paired with drinks or snacks, offering a “date night” or “family adventure” feel.
Middle East: Escape rooms offered packages that included customised birthday or event setups for private bookings.
Intriguing examples:
In South Africa, some escape rooms bundled discounted tickets with local tourism experiences, like museum or safari vouchers.
A Nordic escape room included a free coaching session for aspiring escape room designers as part of their bundle.
Why it works: These packages appeal to customers looking for a unique, premium experience, while adding value to your brand.
Flash sales and limited-time offers
Flash sales were used sparingly, but their impact was significant. Around 5% of escape rooms leveraged this method.
Examples by region:
US: Flash sales offered 50% off for bookings made during a one-hour window.
UK: Cyber Monday flash sales focused on online bookings, with discounts up to 40%.
Asia: Some escape rooms limited discounts to the first 10 bookings of the day, creating a sense of urgency.
Intriguing examples:
In the UAE, one escape room offered a flash sale for customers who solved a pre-game riddle on their social media.
Why it works: Time-sensitive deals trigger immediate decision-making and create buzz for your business.
Regional variations
While common strategies like discounts and vouchers appeared globally, regional preferences shaped the deals:
North America: Heavy emphasis on BOGOF deals and group-focused discounts.
UK and Ireland: Flat-rate discounts and gift voucher bonuses were most popular.
Western Europe: A mix of discounts and innovative gift voucher promotions, with added-value options like tours or merchandise.
Eastern Europe: Unique challenges tied to offers, such as puzzles that unlock discounts.
Asia: Flash sales and morning-time discounts dominated.
Australia and New Zealand: Family-focused packages with food and entertainment add-ons were prominent.
Middle East: Private bookings and custom-themed packages were popular.
South America: Discounts combined with community-driven initiatives, like donations to local causes.
What these trends mean for escape room owners
Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t just about short-term revenue. They’re an opportunity to:
Attract new customers who might not have otherwise visited.
Experiment with new offers and measure their impact.
Build long-term loyalty through unique and memorable experiences.
Insights for smarter decisions
If you’ve run a Black Friday or Cyber Monday deal this year, now’s the time to evaluate its success. Did it boost bookings? How did it impact your bottom line? What could you improve next time?
My Insight Report Service can help answer these questions. By diving into your booking data, I’ll uncover trends, identify opportunities, and show you how to optimise future promotions. Whether you’re planning next year’s Black Friday or looking to grow your business overall, data is the key to success. Read more about other insights that every escape room owner should learn about their business here.
Conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions aren’t just about filling time slots—they’re about building a thriving escape room business. Use these insights to design smarter deals, attract loyal customers, and make your next promotion even better.
Chi / Sam
Your Escape Room Bookkeeper
