What should I ask about an escape room’s game master turnover?

Start with the roster. Ask for a list of current game masters, their start dates and the hours they work. Compare it against a list of former ones, if the seller will share it, and ask why people left. Steady part-time staff is a different situation from a team that changes every few months.

Then look at training. Is there a written guide covering the story, the hints, the safety steps and how to handle difficult groups? Or does each newcomer shadow a veteran informally? A written program makes the business less dependent on one or two experienced people.

Ask how pay and scheduling work, and whether staff are employees or contractors. Your lawyer can explain what applies when ownership changes. Ask the seller who the strongest game masters are and whether they plan to stay after the sale. Talk to them yourself, with the seller’s permission, since their enthusiasm, or lack of it, tells you about the workplace. Finally, read reviews for mentions of individual staff. Guests who name a favourite game master show where the experience lives. Ask what the seller does when two game masters are away on the same weekend, since cover plans show how thin the team really is.

Key takeaways

• Request a staff list with start dates, then ask why former game masters left.
• Look for a written training guide covering hints, safety and difficult groups.
• Meet the strongest game masters and ask about their plans after the sale.