The People’s Choice Family Fun Center recently implemented a complete conversion from its legacy point-of-sale system and technology software to Semnox Solutions, a provider of software solutions for the entertainment and amusement industry. With over 80,000 square feet of arcade games, a large redemption center, individual attractions and hard rides, the entire process of transforming this Chicagoland Area venue took only 4 days to finalize, marking a significant achievement with no downtime for the facility as Semnox installed a modern system.
Semnox’s suite of features implemented at The People’s Choice includes a POS system, cashless payments, data reporting across all platforms, inventory management with redemption, and RFID functionality in the arcade with card roaming between Bertrand Lanes, a bowling alley under the same ownership that converted to Semnox in 2022.
Over 150 arcade games and attractions were converted to Semnox RFID card readers at The People’s Choice. They also added 13 kiosks created and customized by Semnox with technology specific to the venue.
Two Semnox Klassic Kiosks were installed near the front admission counter. They also strategically added one by its roller coaster ride, one by the bumper cars, and one near the birthday party rooms. “Doing so has not only increased our sales because of the sheer convenience of how we positioned them but adding them has dramatically improved guest satisfaction especially when they have children in tow,” said John Sarantakis, President of The People’s Choice. “Having the kiosks throughout our facility also keeps our employees free to manage other guests’ needs.”
While the Klassic Kiosk has made a major positive impact, the Semnox Klaimprize Kiosk has been the biggest game-changer for The People’s Choice. A Klaimprize Kiosk allows guests to redeem their arcade card tickets for prizes. Guests tap the arcade card on the kiosk where prizes are displayed on the kiosk screen along with how many tickets are needed for each prize and how many tickets the card has accrued. Once a guest picks out the prizes, they receive a claim ticket printed from the kiosk, and then a redemption counter employee retrieves the prizes for the guest. The People’s Choice originally invested in four Klaimprize Kiosks. They liked the initial results so well that they added two more.
“Beyond running the successful operations at The People’s Choice and Bertrand Lanes, John Sarantakis is a well-known subject matter expert in the Family Entertainment industry,” explains Bepin Jose, President of Semnox America, located in Dallas. “So, it was a privilege for Semnox when John decided to implement the Semnox Parafait suite of technology solutions to manage his venues. John has leveraged self-service technology from Semnox to enhance guest experience and operating efficiencies. The use of the Klaimprize for self-service redemption is a great example for the industry to follow. A large part of the functions previously performed by staff members holding scanners and displaying the progress of redemption on a TV screen have shifted seamlessly to the guests picking their prizes using a touch screen. We wish John and his team the very best as we look forward to accomplishing greater things together,” Bepin continues.
“Reporting is at my fingertips,” Sarantakis explains. “Before Semnox, our reports were less sophisticated but harder to understand.”
Two more kiosks have been installed to offer “express checkout” for The People’s Choice pizzeria and ice cream shop as well as two more registration kiosks, Semnox’s Kustomer Kiosk, that allow new customers to register their cards.
“Working with Semnox has been a great experience. During the conversion, they brought in their people making the installation seamless,” added Sarantakis. “We didn’t lose any revenue and that just doesn’t usually happen, especially when switching over to a new system.”
