Episode 55 - Operator Spotlight: Quarters SLC

PodcastAnalysis updated 3d agoNov 4, 202449 min listen

Highlights

Quarter Drop took three years from conception to opening in early 2018
Quarter Drop downtown location generates 80% revenue from alcohol, 20% from games, ~1% from food
Sugar House location (2 miles from downtown) generates ~75% from bar, ~20% from games, ~5% from food
The two Quarter Drop locations cannibalize each other due to proximity, with downtown dominating
Utah requires all spirits to be metered through a 'Berg' measuring device for auditing purposes
Utah state conducted alcohol audit on Quarter Drop two days before this podcast episode
Utah law prohibits two drinks with the same base spirit being served simultaneously
Utah liquor laws became more lenient after hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics
Opening a second location succeeded operationally but the Sugar House location doesn't make significant profit

“We were trying to get the bar open for three years before it actually opened.”

Mike

“running an arcade bar is like a very it's super hard”

Alan

“I'm a business I own a profitable business and I get treated like I'm throwing a house party while my parents are away”

Mike

“no people want twins man...people want to hear Radiohead play Creep. Yeah, exactly.”

Mike and Alan

“Downtown is where I make all my money, which, you know, as long as I'm making some money and I don't have to go out of business, I'm fine with it.”

Mike

“we didn't want to commute to the suburbs...I like living in the city.”

Mike

“Stern Pinball, give it to us. Everyone wants it. No more brewing company badges. I don't care about badges. Give me a payment method.”

Alan

“there's no way it is market competitive there's no way...they're doing it because they love pinball”

Alan