Monster Mini Golf, a family entertainment franchise, has 13 locations open across the country and is currently negotiating with a new franchise owner in White Plains.
The indoor mini golf concept incorporates glow-in-the-dark, 18-hole mini golf, three-dimensional props, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, animatronics and special effects. The Rhode Island-based chain plans to add at least three locations throughout Westchester over the next two years and is actively seeking qualified franchisees.
Founders Christina and Patrick Vitagliano opened the first Monster Mini Golf in Danielson in 2004.
“The whole thing started with something we had been hearing from the average family trying to find something that”™s less expensive than going to movies,” said Christina Vitagliano.
“With a whole family, the movies can become $100 or more. Mini Golf is fun; it”™s inexpensive; and everyone likes it. You sell fun all day long.”
Westchester and Fairfield were exactly the types of areas that the Vitaglianos wanted to be.
“We look for areas that are heavily populated and family oriented,” said Christine Vitagliano. “Our business is about family entertainment. What makes us who we are is so little about mini golf. We have a cool concept, but the reason we have families coming in and people returning is because of the business and how we operate it. When we get good potential franchisees, they are people who have read every word on that Web site. When I ask them what made them call us, they say, ”˜I read your site and you are the kind of people that I want to work with and a business that I want to be a part of.”™”
According to Christine, the franchise features prize give-aways and a constant supply of ”™60s and ”™70s party music.
“There are a lot of family entertainment options out there and we always have to be a step ahead of everyone else,” said Christine.
She and Patrick hope to add the White Plains location to their presence in New Jersey, Middletown, N.Y., and a franchise opening in Long Island.
“We”™d love to be in Fairfield, as well,” said Vitagliano. “We”™d like to be in any market we think could work. We need to find the right people and qualified franchisees. I think based on population and drive time we could have three franchises in the area, though we”™re still searching for interested and qualified franchisees.”
The sites of Monster Mini Golf average 9,000 to 12,000 square feet. According to Christine Vitagliano, the franchise has proved particularly well suited for husband-and-wife teams.
