Savane Kids is celebrating its first anniversary, and it’s the perfect opportunity to review this first year of operation. Opening an indoor play area is always a challenge, but for Jérémy Villette, it has been a successful venture. By building a loyal customer base, organizing consistently sold-out events, and fostering fruitful collaborations with works councils, Savane Kids has managed to charm both children and adults.

How did the park overcome the challenges of its first year? What lessons were learned, and what are the upcoming projects? In this article, Jérémy Villette shares the behind-the-scenes story of this great success and reveals the prospects for the future of Savane Kids.

How was Savane Kids’ first year of operation?

Jérémy Villette: The first year was a real success. We managed to build a loyal customer base, which exceeded our expectations. Everything went very positively. Thanks to our loyalty program, we see many familiar faces, but we also attracted new customers, especially tourists during the summer season.

What loyalty system have you implemented?

Jérémy Villette: We implemented a loyalty card where the 10th entry is free. Each child receives a stamp with each visit, and it works very well. We have many free entries thanks to this system, which shows that loyal customers return regularly.

What have been your main successes and challenges?

Jérémy Villette: Regarding challenges, we worked hard to develop birthday parties, and it has been a success. Today, we organize many of them, and they represent a significant portion of our revenue. We also started collaborating with works councils (CEs) who purchase bulk entries for their employees. This works really well; CEs often ask for more.

Furthermore, we launched themed evenings, and they are always fully booked. Events like casino nights or board game nights where parents can play among themselves while their children have fun in the play area. These evenings are a great success. We also decorate the park for special occasions like Christmas, Easter, or Halloween, and again, we are always fully booked.

How has park attendance evolved over the year?

Jérémy Villette: We didn’t really have a slow period during the first year. Our results often exceeded our forecasts. This summer, however, we saw a decrease in attendance of about 30% compared to the previous summer, but that doesn’t worry me. We worked so well before this period that the recovery is already underway, with many birthday party bookings starting in September.

What feedback have you received from customers and parents?

Jérémy Villette: The feedback is very positive. We are often told that the place is beautiful, welcoming, and that the atmosphere is pleasant. Customers also appreciate that the team, whether it’s me or my employees, is always attentive.

What advice would you give to those considering opening an indoor play area?

Jérémy Villette: If you truly believe in your project, you can achieve great things. The key is never to rest on your laurels and always make families want to come back. It’s also crucial not to neglect the comfort of parents, because they are the ones who bring the children. If parents feel good, they will return.

What are your future plans for Savane Kids?

Jérémy Villette: We plan to expand the play area with the help of Play In Business. After that, I might want to install a laser tag in the region, because currently, you have to travel 40 km to find one.

Have you noticed any seasonality in attendance (slow or busy periods)?

Jérémy Villette: As mentioned, this summer was quieter with a 30% decrease, but generally, we don’t have truly slow periods.

What is the average spend per customer?

Jérémy Villette: It’s difficult to define a precise average spend, as each customer is different. For example, grandparents tend to spend more on their grandchildren. A parent with a single child will often spend more than a parent with several children. Moreover, when a customer receives a free entry, they are more inclined to spend on other services like catering. So, it really varies depending on the families.

Thank you for your trust!

Are you considering creating a play area as successful as Savane Kids? Contact us today and launch your project!