BOARD GAME CAFE BUSINESS PLAN

I. Executive Summary

Company Description

The business is named Quarter & Oak, a name that evokes tabletop tradition (quarter for casual play; oak for lasting craftsmanship). It operates in the social entertainment and hospitality sector as a board game cafe launching in 2026. The company combines a high-end cafe menu with an extensive board game library and on-floor Game Guides who teach and facilitate play, making the hobby accessible to all skill levels. One-liner: a premium place to unplug and connect over food and games.

Main activities include curated food and beverage service, guided gameplay sessions, library management, and private-event hosting. The offering differs from hobby shops by prioritizing premium ingredients, a refined atmosphere, and trained staff who run play sessions. Target customers are urban adults aged 21–45 who seek social, low-screen entertainment and are willing to pay for quality food and service. Short-term goals: open in 2026 and stabilize operations. Long-term goals: reach sustained profitability and replicate the concept in additional U.S. urban centers. One-liner: deliver guided social play and premium hospitality that competitors don’t provide.

Problem

Urban residents lack accessible, screen-free social venues that combine relaxed dining with hobby-grade games; existing options force people into cramped, uninviting play spaces, leave newcomers confused by complex rules, and make casual collection-building costly because of high retail prices for modern board games.

There is no readily available city offering that pairs a high-quality cafe with an extensive curated game library and trained Game Guides to facilitate play; this gap prevents repeat social outings, limits cross-revenue opportunities (food, beverage, private events), and creates demand for a premium, hosted play experience launching in 2026.

Solution

Consumers face a shortage of dedicated, screen-free social spaces, high purchase costs for modern board games, and barriers from complex rules and unsuitable venues. The solution is a metropolitan community hub that pairs a large on-site board-game library with a full-service café, specialized long-play seating, a professional kitchen, and expert floor staff who teach games and curate inclusive play.

One sentence: a single destination where hundreds of titles, elevated food and drink, comfortable multi-hour seating, and trained hosts remove cost, comfort, and complexity barriers to in-person social play.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to create a premier social sanctuary where people unplug from screens and reconnect through the joy of board games and exceptional food. We commit to making gaming accessible to everyone by offering expert guidance, a welcoming environment, and thoughtful hospitality. We foster community, creativity, and genuine human interaction, aiming to be the leading destination for social entertainment in the United States, one meeple and one meal at a time.

Key Success Factors

These five factors directly drive our profitability, growth, and valuation.

• 3-month breakeven and 11-month payback provide early cash-return evidence.
• Expert Game Guides ensure high satisfaction and repeat visitation across skill levels.
• Strategic urban location enables target of 250 weekend covers in Year 1.
• Low COGS: beverage 4% and food 8% preserve strong gross margins.
• Scalable weekend capacity to 430 Saturday covers by 2030 drives long-term value.

Financial Summary

Financial highlights for the Executive Summary: first-year EBITDA is strong and cash coverage is prioritized.

Financial requirements: Total launch CAPEX $133,000; maintain a minimum cash balance of $826,000 (reach Feb-26); payback in 11 months and breakeven by Mar-26. Anticipated returns: IRR 13% and ROE 2.41.

Overall, the plan projects profitable, cash-positive growth from Year 1 through Year 5.

Funding Requirements

We need $959,000 to fund equipment, leasehold improvements, furnishings, and a minimum cash threshold for launch.

One-liner: Total required funding is $959,000.