Escape Rooms in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: January 2024
NAICS OD6213
Spotlight Report Revenue
$654.5m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
55,980
Businesses
3,590
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Escape Rooms in the US industry analysis
Escape rooms involve a group of friends, family or coworkers working together to play a game and solve puzzles in a specific amount of time. Escape rooms first emerged in the US in 2012 when Scrap Entertainment created the first escape room experience in San Francisco. Since then, consumer demand has surged, as there are now more than 3,000 escape rooms across the US. As a result of social distancing guidelines and concerns about disease transmission related to the outbreak of COVID-19, sharp declines in revenue were observed in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Closures, coupled with volatility in the broader economy, have led to revenue falling at an expected CAGR of 5.8% to $654.5 million through the end of 2024, despite growth of 0.9% in 2024 alone.
Trends and Insights
- Escape rooms gained global popularity in the early 2010s, with the first US location opening in 2012. Revenue has been on the decline in recent years, as a result of the pandemic and restrictions on social gatherings.
- Storytelling games are the most popular type of escape rooms. Consumers tend to prefer rooms with strong theming for an immersive experience.
- The escape room industry endures a high level of competition in major cities. High demand has prevented market saturation, so many new escape room operators have entered the industry in the last few years.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 6.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $654.5m in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Waning enthusiasm from consumers
- Escape rooms gained global popularity in the early 2010s, first gaining traction in Asia before being brought to the US in 2012. Consumer demand initially surged. Within five years of the first one opening, the number of escape rooms in the US shot up to more than 1,000.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The number of establishments will continue to rise
- As the economy recovers from the pandemic and operations continue to return to normal, the number of escape rooms will continue to shoot up. Consumer demand is anticipated to remain strong, encouraging new entrants to open rooms attracting untapped and niche markets.
Biggest companies in the Escape Rooms in the US
There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Escape Rooms in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.
Products & Services Segmentation
Escape Rooms in the US
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Storytelling games through puzzles, Games with a theme but no narrative and Games with a narrative-only. Storytelling games through puzzles is the largest segment of the Escape Rooms in the US.
Trends and Insights
Storytelling through puzzles encourages deeper immersion
- Storytelling games are escape room experiences where a narrative unfolds as players solve puzzles, with each challenge revealing a new element of the overall story.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Amusement Parks in the US
- Arcade, Food & Entertainment Complexes in the US
- Non-Hotel Casinos in the US
- Golf Driving Ranges & Family Fun Centers in the US
Complementors
- Party & Event Planners in the US
International industries
- There are no industries to display.
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes operators that primarily operate escape room facilities and offer puzzle games to be played with a group of people. Industry establishments also typically sell food and beverages. The industry comprises companies that have a physical escape room facility.
What's included in this industry?
Operating escape room facilities and related gamesOffering food and beverages, including alcoholic beveragesProviding party planning services for large groups and eventsCompanies
Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
COMMUNICATION PUZZLEESCAPE RATEGAMEMASTERIndustry Code
NAICS 713990 - Escape Rooms in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Escape rooms gained global popularity in the early 2010s, with the first US location opening in 2012. Revenue has been on the decline in recent years, as a result of the pand...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Factors that influence volatility in the industry
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Storytelling games are the most popular type of escape rooms. Consumers tend to prefer rooms with strong theming for an immersive experience.
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Purchase this report to unlock analyst insights.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The escape room industry endures a high level of competition in major cities. High demand has prevented market saturation, so many new escape room operators have entered the ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
COVID-19 regulations significantly impacted escape rooms in the US. Lockdowns, capacity restrictions and health concerns led to closures that forced escape rooms to adapt wit...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
The cost structure depends on a variety of factors. These include the size and location of the escape room, brand name recognition and quality of services, among others.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
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IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
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IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States is $654.5m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Escape Rooms in the US industry in 2024?
There are 3,590 businesses in the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 11.4 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 6.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What does the Escape Rooms in the US in United States include?
Operating escape room facilities and related games and Offering food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages are part of the Escape Rooms in the US industry.
How competitive is the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Escape Rooms in the US industry in United States.
