Foundations is proud to announce the addition of ‘Hero’s-the party experience’ to our family of Elite Sponsors in the exclusive special category of ‘turnkey party business facility.’

HEROS IS NOT A FRANCHISE but has all of the pluses: “systems, training, protected territory and experience, without the ongoing royalties and restrictions.” Hero’s is for people who want to work only 3 to 4 days a week (only when there is guaranteed business), make some serious money, and be the best in the world at birthday parties! (see Hero’s Unique Factors List).

The Hero’s philosophy is to help people start their own business that also includes time off to do things that are important to them. The phrase ‘invest in your life, not just a business,’ is the foundation upon which the Hero’s concept is built. A typical workweek for a Hero’s is Thursday-Sunday. Hero’s is the brainchild of Laurien and Chester Henry of Calgary (Alberta Canada) and Frank Price of Birthday University. Laurien and Chester have been operating Family Entertainment Centers for the past 12 years. Laurien is currently the Immediate Past President of IALEI and has extensive financial and management experience from her former career as a bank manager. Chester’s background is in engineering and project management. Frank Price, before he became the undisputed King of birthday parties, majored in business and entertainment and worked in the Health and Fitness industry. Together this team of experts has eliminated the frustrations and challenges of running a small birthday party business.

SO GIVE US THE DETAILS…

A typical Hero’s is 6000 sq. ft.-8000 sq. ft. and located in light industrial zones with lower rents, as walk in traffic is not necessary, and most birthday parties will take place during daylight hours. The complete turnkey investment is $120,000.00 to $170,000.00, depending on size, attraction selection, and leasehold improvements. That’s it! Everything else is included in the Turnkey License Package (see ‘Turnkey License Package’). After the first year, there is an annual license renewal of $1500 that provides you with continuing future revenue growth opportunities.

An average Hero’s birthday party is $225 for 10-12 kids. Hero’s is set up to handle up to 4 parties per hour with 4 party rooms. Parents are free. If food and games are included, additional revenues would be generated but there would be an additional investment. An average of 34 parties per week during the first year of operation is easily attainable. This would result in a annual gross of $380,000.00, assuming that there would be some parties with additional children as well as other revenue generating services to make up for the reduced number of birthday parties during the summer months. It is quite reasonable to see a return on the investment in 18-24 months. The number of parties per week can be increased to 50 as the business grows.

The attractions include an inflatable stadium, sandlot gymnasium (climbing wall, storage cabinets, age appropriate games and activities, oversized sports games-soccer, basketball, floor hockey, dodge-ball, Spiderman tag--‘all kids are winners’), and of the most popular ‘miniaturized carnival group games’ (‘Poop Hoops’-toilet seat like basketball toss game, ‘Ring a Cola’-toss rings onto soda bottles, and ‘Muffin Toss’-bean bag toss. Frank Price emphasizes, “The Hero’s environment simply is a stage to facilitate the group into creating their own brand of fun.”

Hero’s proven party manual recommends asking the birthday party child and mom and/or dad which activities and Hero character traits are most important to their family. What are their expectations for the party and what are their most favorite activities. Laurien, smiling as always, says “It’s our goal to someday be that one memory that towers proudly above all the rest…for each and every child who has a party at Hero’s.”

When the initial members of the birthday party group arrive, they are greeted by the Party Hero, issued nametags, and immediately begin an organized activity (coloring a tee-shirt for example…) until the entire group has arrived. The chosen Hero’s character interacts with the children for the entire party and emphasizes the positive emotion that surrounds this important family milestone. Each Party Hero considers themselves to be ‘birthday party memory builders.’ They are trained to realize that they have the power to make a difference in the life of a child. The group moves around to the different areas, privately using each space for 20-40 minutes.

The first two ‘Hero’s’ in the U.S. are scheduled to open in 2006: Prescott Valley, Arizona (January 2006) and Buffalo, NY.

For more information on Hero’s: PH 403-561-9024, email: ohenry@shaw.ca

Hero’s Unique Factors

• Semi-private birthday party facility open by appointment only.
• Party Hero remains with the group and facilitates the entire party.
• Great human interaction for social, psychological transformation, trough age appropriate, interactive group games and fun activities.
• Unexpected entertainment-table magic, balloon hats.
• Personalized games and entertainment using the children’s imaginations, props, language, face paint and costumes-customization.
• Sensory and special effect ‘wows’ in the party rooms.
• Awesome, unique party concepts in a fun, festive environment.

Turnkey License Package

• Business plan template-leasing opportunities-discount on equipment, insurance, and party supplies.
• Location suggestions, interior layout, flow and design assistance, proven systems and operations including manuals.
• Marketing templates-how to use direct mail-brochure, postcard, radio copy, ad template, website template.
• Internal party forms, letters, proprietary birthday party systems.
• Territory protection.
• Use of name, logo and trademarks that are well recognized
• Initial training with opportunities for additional training at your location.
• Internet based training for training the Party Heroes as new staff members are hired.
• Additional Revenue Streams: team gatherings, team parties, family reunions, group field trips, sleepovers, mom & me programs, special themed events open to public for 1 month, fundraisers, weekday facility open to private groups-schools-teams-clubs.
• Yearly Hero’s conferences-additional training, new products
• Future growth opportunities: science field trips, out door company picnics, and home birthday party programs.