What should I check before buying an axe throwing business?

An axe throwing venue is a small business with a physical risk built into it. That makes the checks a little different from a typical entertainment purchase. You are buying a room, a set of equipment, a team of coaches and a customer base, and each of these has to hold up. The general steps in due diligence for an entertainment venue still apply. These checks sit on top of them.

Lanes, targets and equipment

Walk the venue with someone who knows the sport, and ask for the maintenance records. Look at the targets and how often they are replaced, the cages or dividers between lanes, the floor, the lighting and the axes themselves. Ask who supplies the axes and how they are checked, sharpened and replaced. Worn targets and loose fittings cost money to put right, and they affect safety.

Coaches and training

The coach is the main safety control. Ask what training each coach has had, who delivered it, and whether it is written down. Ask for the rules guests sign or are told, and how the venue handles guests who ignore them. If the training sits in the owner’s head, that is a gap you will have to close. Find out how many coaches would stay with you, and what they are paid.

Who actually books

Ask for booking reports that split walk-ins, leagues, parties and corporate events. League nights can give steady midweek traffic, while corporate events often depend on a few organizers. Check how many bookings come from repeat customers and how many from online listings or review sites. Compare what the booking system shows with the deposits in the bank statements.

Insurance and the lease

Ask for the insurance policy, its claims history and any incident reports. Ask whether the insurer will cover you as a new owner on the same terms. Read the lease for the permitted use, the term left, renewal rights and whether the landlord must consent to a sale. Your lawyer should read it. Licensing and permits for the activity are a question for your lawyer too, and they are not covered here.