Sandbox VR shows off what players looked like in their “third act” in and out of game.
At Sandbox VR, guests can transport to a zombie apocalypse, a pirate ship or even Netflix’s hit series “Squid Game” through virtual reality gaming technology.
The brand initiated its United States franchising plans and it’s making waves in the Middle East with a 25-unit deal inked by Apparel Group.
“It has been a whirlwind, to say the least,” said Lee Hebditch, director of global franchise operations. “We’re the fastest-growing location VR concept in the world.”
Sandbox VR provides a virtual reality experience for its customers. All games are developed in-house at studios in Vancouver and China.
Unlike typical VR experiences, which can cause motion sickness and disorientation, Sandbox has a custom motion-capture set up that responds to in-game actions. A gaming session takes place over 45 minutes with up to six people, with the final step being a mock movie trailer of the best in- and out-of-game scenes.
Over the past 18 months, the brand was hard at work developing new stores, now up to 46 locations globally.
“We did that for a number of reasons, actually,” said Hebditch. “As we speak, we have a pipeline of international franchise locations over 100 across the globe.”
The proven model through both international franchises and U.S. corporate locations made Sandbox interested in the franchising model. As for the newest deal with Apparel Group, the partnership will bring locations across the Middle East. Apparel Group operates over 80 brands across the Middle East and the surrounding countries.
Sandbox VR recently launched its U.S. franchising initiative, already signing deals for Florida.
Sandbox is signing deals all over the United States, with deals signed in Florida and other leads in the works. Fourteen units are set to open in the U.S. this year.
In terms of franchisees, Sandbox looks for experienced entrepreneurs looking to try something new and unique in the entertainment space. Operators who are willing to engage with the community are also high priority, as community involvement fits with the value of social engagement. Hebditch encourages franchisees to experiment with community engagement, whether that’s traditional marketing or local initiatives.
“In a post-pandemic era, there’s a heightened emphasis on fostering connections and that kind of social-shared experience,” said Hebditch. “I think location-based entertainment and VR entertainment hits that nail on the head.”
As for the games, Hebditch is partial to “Deadwood,” a zombie shooter and survival game, and wants to discover if the rumored “nightmare mode” is true. He enjoys the teamwork aspect of “Squid Game” to complete the tasks (and if you’ve seen the show, you know what happens if you don’t).
To own a Sandbox franchise requires an initial investment of $764,000 to $1.02 million. According to its franchise disclosure document, U.S. gross unit sales in 2022 ranged from $82,722 to $2.69 million.
“Our goal is to bring people together through world-class experiences,” said Hebditch. “We love to focus on the social aspect, and the whole approach really captures that social interaction with the players.”