Lucky Strike's Bold Rebrand: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire

Podcast Summary: Trends with Friends

Episode Title: Lucky Strike's Bold Rebrand: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire
Date: December 11, 2024
Hosts: Howard Lindzon, JC Parets, Phil Pearlman
Guests: Lev Ekster (Bolero/Lucky Strike), Bobby Levan (Bolero/Lucky Strike)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the bold transformation of Bolero Corp.—the largest operator of bowling centers in America—into Lucky Strike Entertainment. Hosts Howard Lindzon, JC Parets, and Phil Pearlman are joined by Bolero executives Lev Ekster and Bobby Levan to discuss the rebranding, the company’s expansion into a wider entertainment empire, emerging trends in out-of-home experiences post-COVID, use of AI and new technology, and the future of both traditional and modern entertainment models. The crew also explores recent market activity, the psychology of investing, and highlights hidden stock gems in the "Trends With No Friends" segment.

Main Segments & Discussion Points

1. Meet the Team & Icebreaker Banter

(00:07 - 03:49)

The hosts rib each other about age, hoodies, meme coins, and classic TV references.
Introduction of guests: Lev Ekster and Bobby Levan from Bolero/Lucky Strike, brought on to talk about the company’s major rebrand and broader vision.

2. Bolero’s Evolution: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire

(03:49 - 08:38)

Brand History: Bolero started in 1997 when Tom Shannon revamped a Union Square bowling alley in NYC.
Now operates 360 locations, preparing to rebrand as "Lucky Strike Entertainment" and switch ticker from BOWL to LUCK.
“Thursday we take this company, it’s nearly 30 years old, and we transform it to Lucky Strike Entertainment under the ticker LUCK on the New York Stock Exchange.” – Lev Ekster (04:14)
Move aims to signal company’s shift beyond bowling into broader location-based entertainment.

3. COVID’s Acceleration of Out-of-Home Entertainment

(05:09 - 07:59)

Post-lockdown, people craved experiences with friends/family, driving huge surges in demand—often two to four hour waits at peak times.
“People want more experiences, they want less goods...we are a premium experience… This isn’t your grandpa’s bowling alley.” – Bobby Levan (05:30)

4. Premium Experience & Growth Strategy

(08:38 - 11:50)

The new Beverly Hills Lucky Strike: 30k sq ft, 22 lanes, arcade, upmarket food/drink, “old Hollywood meets art deco, modern glam” design.
Ticket prices: avg $35-40 per person; $80-100 for premium lanes/food/party experience.
Company also operates water parks, family entertainment centers–aiming to own location-based entertainment ($100B TAM vs. $4B bowling) (07:18).

5. Bowling Culture, Equipment & PBA Owernship

(10:16 - 13:27)

Locations have pro shops, major bowling brands include Brunswick, Storm, Motive.
Bolero owns the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA); broadcasts on Fox; hosts major tournament series.
“Arguably the most iconic sports clip,” Pete Weber’s “Who do you think you are? I am!” viral moment discussed. (12:48)
[Clip explained]: Pete Weber was yelling at a 10-year-old heckler in the audience (14:09).

6. Brand Renaissance & Cultural Relevance

(13:51 - 16:29)

Bowling is both classic Americana and “invades the coasts” with upscale venues.
Next phase is expansion into “mini golf, go karts, bumper boats… It creates this flywheel for the consumer.” – Bobby Levan (15:03)
Recently acquired Boomers family entertainment centers in CA and FL, plans to modernize and expand arcade and event attractions.

7. Branding, Meme Coins, and the Role of Technology

(17:49 - 22:46)

Fun discussion about the intersection of meme coins and the brand’s rise on social media.
Company leverages technology, including AI for revenue projections (dynamically adjusting marketing/pricing), gamification apps, and even legal sports betting on site ("Money Bowl" app).
- “We use [AI] to project revenue by day, by hour, by center...allows us to be dynamic with pricing, marketing...” – Bobby Levan (19:00)
Future plans for viral, gamified bowling moments—e.g., “Win a Ford F-150 for a 7-10 split” on a Saturday night (22:07).

8. Media, Brand, and Entertainment as a Platform

(37:30 - 39:07)

Lucky Strike’s brand has massive recognition (better than Bolero) and attracts celebrity clientele.
Company is exploring further media expansion (potentially a Barstool/Drive-to-Survive-type content for bowling).
- "We want to be an entertainment platform... cameras at every lane so that when you hit a strike, video of you...you can automatically upload it to Instagram." – Bobby Levan (38:41)

9. Market Trends & Perspectives

(29:04 - 39:57)

JC Parets gives a deep dive into recent tech, commodity, and small-cap rotations—underlining that “sector rotation is the lifeblood of a bull market.”
- "If you're betting against technology here, you're saying that's it, bull market canceled and this is over." – JC Parets (33:02)
The team discusses how real-time info has changed investing psychology and how stories drive both stock and business success (27:12).
- “Stories need to connect with the brand outside of the financials… That’s why meme coins work.” – Howard Lindzon (27:12)

10. AI, Quantum, & Big Tech Updates

(40:28 - 47:32)

Michael Parekh explains Google's quantum computing breakthrough: an error-correction milestone that could massively change computation over decades but has little short-term effect on Nvidia or current AI infrastructure.
- "Quantum computing…will fundamentally change how we do computations...We're using computation at the subatomic level." – Michael Parekh (41:04).
Google launches “Genie 2” (text-to-interactive-worlds), advances in AI subscriptions, parallels to SaaS and Bloomberg’s model.

11. Psychology, Markets, and Slow Adoption

(47:35 - 51:35)

Discussion of cognitive conservatism: the market often reacts late to big, complex technological news (Google quantum chip), demonstrating built-in market inefficiencies.
- “There's an inefficiency, a psychological and information processing inefficiency that's built into the market.” – Phil Pearlman (47:35)

12. Trends With No Friends: Under-the-Radar Stock Picks

(51:35 - 54:39)

Riley Roseby spotlights Price Smart (PSMT), the “Costco of Latin America,” quietly hitting all-time highs with only 480 followers on social.
- “The bigger the base, the higher in space in this chart right here.” – Riley Roseby (52:53)
Fun facts: Costco inspired Amazon Prime, major retailer with parallel strategies.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Pete Weber Bowling Clip:
- “Who do you think you are? I am!” – Pete Weber, recalled at (13:47), pointing out legendary sports virality and bowling’s cultural reach.
Brand & Market Wisdom:
- “Stories need to connect with the brand outside of the financials… That’s why meme coins work.” – Howard Lindzon (27:12)
Tech as a Feature:
- “You don't have to build a tech company, you build a business and tech becomes…a garnish of every business as fantasy and gambling become a garnish of every bit.” – Howard Lindzon (22:46)
On AI and Automation:
- “We use a lambda model to project revenue by day, by hour, by center… and be dynamic with pricing, marketing…” – Bobby Levan (19:00)
On Bowling’s Cultural Revival:
- “Bowling’s not going anywhere. In fact, I think it’s growing. I think it’s having this kind of renaissance moment right now.” – Lev Ekster (24:31)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

03:49 – Introduction of Lev and Bobby, Bolero’s origin
05:30 – Post-COVID boom in experiences, “Disney World of location-based entertainment”
07:18 – Name change to Lucky Strike; entry into $100B location entertainment market
10:56 – Bowling brands, ownership of PBA, league/bowling culture
12:48 – Pete Weber’s viral clip discussion
15:03 – Growth into family entertainment centers, modernizing arcades
19:00 – AI use in operations, dynamic pricing, and gamification
21:48 – Gambling/fantasy betting at bowling centers
27:12 – Branding, story-telling, comparison to meme coins and public company marketing
33:07 – JC on sector rotation and the health of the bull market
38:41 – Lucky Strike’s media ambitions, social sharing of bowling milestones
41:04 – Quantum computing explained, Google’s breakthrough
47:35 – Market psychology, cognitive conservatism on tech news
51:35 – “Trends with no Friends” pick: Price Smart (PSMT)

Takeaways & Overall Flow

Lucky Strike’s rebrand is far more than a name change—it’s a signal for expansion into the broader “experience” economy, leveraging technology, gamification, and cultural marketing.
COVID permanently shifted consumer preference toward shared, real-world experiences; Lucky Strike is capitalizing on this with upmarket venues, entertainment diversification, and data-driven operations.
Bowling, once “old school,” is undergoing a renaissance as a cultural touchstone, with the professionalization of its league and integration of pop culture and social media trends.
Broader market insight: Tech’s comeback (driven by sector rotation), the enduring importance of story and behavioral finance, and the hidden gems away from the headlines (Price Smart) are all top-of-mind.
Fun and irreverence: The episode maintains a lively, bantering tone, combining actionable insights with running jokes, pop culture, and peer-to-peer ribbing.

Podcast Summary: Trends with Friends

Episode Overview

Main Segments & Discussion Points

1. Meet the Team & Icebreaker Banter

(00:07 - 03:49)

The hosts rib each other about age, hoodies, meme coins, and classic TV references.
Introduction of guests: Lev Ekster and Bobby Levan from Bolero/Lucky Strike, brought on to talk about the company’s major rebrand and broader vision.

2. Bolero’s Evolution: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire

(03:49 - 08:38)

Brand History: Bolero started in 1997 when Tom Shannon revamped a Union Square bowling alley in NYC.
Now operates 360 locations, preparing to rebrand as "Lucky Strike Entertainment" and switch ticker from BOWL to LUCK.
“Thursday we take this company, it’s nearly 30 years old, and we transform it to Lucky Strike Entertainment under the ticker LUCK on the New York Stock Exchange.” – Lev Ekster (04:14)
Move aims to signal company’s shift beyond bowling into broader location-based entertainment.

3. COVID’s Acceleration of Out-of-Home Entertainment

(05:09 - 07:59)

Post-lockdown, people craved experiences with friends/family, driving huge surges in demand—often two to four hour waits at peak times.
“People want more experiences, they want less goods...we are a premium experience… This isn’t your grandpa’s bowling alley.” – Bobby Levan (05:30)

4. Premium Experience & Growth Strategy

(08:38 - 11:50)

The new Beverly Hills Lucky Strike: 30k sq ft, 22 lanes, arcade, upmarket food/drink, “old Hollywood meets art deco, modern glam” design.
Ticket prices: avg $35-40 per person; $80-100 for premium lanes/food/party experience.
Company also operates water parks, family entertainment centers–aiming to own location-based entertainment ($100B TAM vs. $4B bowling) (07:18).

5. Bowling Culture, Equipment & PBA Owernship

(10:16 - 13:27)

Locations have pro shops, major bowling brands include Brunswick, Storm, Motive.
Bolero owns the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA); broadcasts on Fox; hosts major tournament series.
“Arguably the most iconic sports clip,” Pete Weber’s “Who do you think you are? I am!” viral moment discussed. (12:48)
[Clip explained]: Pete Weber was yelling at a 10-year-old heckler in the audience (14:09).

6. Brand Renaissance & Cultural Relevance

(13:51 - 16:29)

Bowling is both classic Americana and “invades the coasts” with upscale venues.
Next phase is expansion into “mini golf, go karts, bumper boats… It creates this flywheel for the consumer.” – Bobby Levan (15:03)
Recently acquired Boomers family entertainment centers in CA and FL, plans to modernize and expand arcade and event attractions.

7. Branding, Meme Coins, and the Role of Technology

(17:49 - 22:46)

Fun discussion about the intersection of meme coins and the brand’s rise on social media.
Company leverages technology, including AI for revenue projections (dynamically adjusting marketing/pricing), gamification apps, and even legal sports betting on site ("Money Bowl" app).
- “We use [AI] to project revenue by day, by hour, by center...allows us to be dynamic with pricing, marketing...” – Bobby Levan (19:00)
Future plans for viral, gamified bowling moments—e.g., “Win a Ford F-150 for a 7-10 split” on a Saturday night (22:07).

8. Media, Brand, and Entertainment as a Platform

(37:30 - 39:07)

Lucky Strike’s brand has massive recognition (better than Bolero) and attracts celebrity clientele.
Company is exploring further media expansion (potentially a Barstool/Drive-to-Survive-type content for bowling).
- "We want to be an entertainment platform... cameras at every lane so that when you hit a strike, video of you...you can automatically upload it to Instagram." – Bobby Levan (38:41)

9. Market Trends & Perspectives

(29:04 - 39:57)

JC Parets gives a deep dive into recent tech, commodity, and small-cap rotations—underlining that “sector rotation is the lifeblood of a bull market.”
- "If you're betting against technology here, you're saying that's it, bull market canceled and this is over." – JC Parets (33:02)
The team discusses how real-time info has changed investing psychology and how stories drive both stock and business success (27:12).
- “Stories need to connect with the brand outside of the financials… That’s why meme coins work.” – Howard Lindzon (27:12)

10. AI, Quantum, & Big Tech Updates

(40:28 - 47:32)

Michael Parekh explains Google's quantum computing breakthrough: an error-correction milestone that could massively change computation over decades but has little short-term effect on Nvidia or current AI infrastructure.
- "Quantum computing…will fundamentally change how we do computations...We're using computation at the subatomic level." – Michael Parekh (41:04).
Google launches “Genie 2” (text-to-interactive-worlds), advances in AI subscriptions, parallels to SaaS and Bloomberg’s model.

11. Psychology, Markets, and Slow Adoption

(47:35 - 51:35)

Discussion of cognitive conservatism: the market often reacts late to big, complex technological news (Google quantum chip), demonstrating built-in market inefficiencies.
- “There's an inefficiency, a psychological and information processing inefficiency that's built into the market.” – Phil Pearlman (47:35)

12. Trends With No Friends: Under-the-Radar Stock Picks

(51:35 - 54:39)

Riley Roseby spotlights Price Smart (PSMT), the “Costco of Latin America,” quietly hitting all-time highs with only 480 followers on social.
- “The bigger the base, the higher in space in this chart right here.” – Riley Roseby (52:53)
Fun facts: Costco inspired Amazon Prime, major retailer with parallel strategies.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Pete Weber Bowling Clip:
- “Who do you think you are? I am!” – Pete Weber, recalled at (13:47), pointing out legendary sports virality and bowling’s cultural reach.
Brand & Market Wisdom:
- “Stories need to connect with the brand outside of the financials… That’s why meme coins work.” – Howard Lindzon (27:12)
Tech as a Feature:
- “You don't have to build a tech company, you build a business and tech becomes…a garnish of every business as fantasy and gambling become a garnish of every bit.” – Howard Lindzon (22:46)
On AI and Automation:
- “We use a lambda model to project revenue by day, by hour, by center… and be dynamic with pricing, marketing…” – Bobby Levan (19:00)
On Bowling’s Cultural Revival:
- “Bowling’s not going anywhere. In fact, I think it’s growing. I think it’s having this kind of renaissance moment right now.” – Lev Ekster (24:31)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

03:49 – Introduction of Lev and Bobby, Bolero’s origin
05:30 – Post-COVID boom in experiences, “Disney World of location-based entertainment”
07:18 – Name change to Lucky Strike; entry into $100B location entertainment market
10:56 – Bowling brands, ownership of PBA, league/bowling culture
12:48 – Pete Weber’s viral clip discussion
15:03 – Growth into family entertainment centers, modernizing arcades
19:00 – AI use in operations, dynamic pricing, and gamification
21:48 – Gambling/fantasy betting at bowling centers
27:12 – Branding, story-telling, comparison to meme coins and public company marketing
33:07 – JC on sector rotation and the health of the bull market
38:41 – Lucky Strike’s media ambitions, social sharing of bowling milestones
41:04 – Quantum computing explained, Google’s breakthrough
47:35 – Market psychology, cognitive conservatism on tech news
51:35 – “Trends with no Friends” pick: Price Smart (PSMT)

Takeaways & Overall Flow

Lucky Strike’s rebrand is far more than a name change—it’s a signal for expansion into the broader “experience” economy, leveraging technology, gamification, and cultural marketing.
COVID permanently shifted consumer preference toward shared, real-world experiences; Lucky Strike is capitalizing on this with upmarket venues, entertainment diversification, and data-driven operations.
Bowling, once “old school,” is undergoing a renaissance as a cultural touchstone, with the professionalization of its league and integration of pop culture and social media trends.
Broader market insight: Tech’s comeback (driven by sector rotation), the enduring importance of story and behavioral finance, and the hidden gems away from the headlines (Price Smart) are all top-of-mind.
Fun and irreverence: The episode maintains a lively, bantering tone, combining actionable insights with running jokes, pop culture, and peer-to-peer ribbing.

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Summary

Podcast Summary: Trends with Friends

Episode Overview

Main Segments & Discussion Points

1. Meet the Team & Icebreaker Banter

2. Bolero’s Evolution: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire

3. COVID’s Acceleration of Out-of-Home Entertainment

4. Premium Experience & Growth Strategy

5. Bowling Culture, Equipment & PBA Owernship

6. Brand Renaissance & Cultural Relevance

7. Branding, Meme Coins, and the Role of Technology

8. Media, Brand, and Entertainment as a Platform

9. Market Trends & Perspectives

10. AI, Quantum, & Big Tech Updates

11. Psychology, Markets, and Slow Adoption

12. Trends With No Friends: Under-the-Radar Stock Picks

Notable Quotes & Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Takeaways & Overall Flow

Summary

Podcast Summary: Trends with Friends

Episode Overview

Main Segments & Discussion Points

1. Meet the Team & Icebreaker Banter

2. Bolero’s Evolution: From Bowling to Entertainment Empire

3. COVID’s Acceleration of Out-of-Home Entertainment

4. Premium Experience & Growth Strategy

5. Bowling Culture, Equipment & PBA Owernship

6. Brand Renaissance & Cultural Relevance

7. Branding, Meme Coins, and the Role of Technology

8. Media, Brand, and Entertainment as a Platform

9. Market Trends & Perspectives

10. AI, Quantum, & Big Tech Updates

11. Psychology, Markets, and Slow Adoption

12. Trends With No Friends: Under-the-Radar Stock Picks

Notable Quotes & Moments

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

Takeaways & Overall Flow