Class-Action Lawsuit Accuses Bowlero Corp of Illegal Monopoly in Bowling Industry
Eleven longtime bowlers filed suit Wednesday in Washington federal court alleging Bowlero Corp, owner of Lucky Strike Entertainment, has built a monopoly through unlawful acquisitions and tripled prices at some locations. The plaintiffs seek damages for customers and the unwinding of certain Bowlero deals. Lucky Strike called the claims meritless.
New York PostA class-action lawsuit was filed against Lucky Strike Entertainment on Wednesday in Washington federal court. The suit was brought by a group of 11 plaintiffs who are longtime bowlers from around the country. The lawsuit accuses Lucky Strike Entertainment of operating an illegal monopoly of bowling centers across the country.
It alleges Bowlero Corp has been gobbling up its competitors through unlawful acquisitions. Bowlero Corp owns Lucky Strike. Bowlero has driven the cost of bowling higher at its more than 350 locations across North America.
The suit alleged Bowlero has as much as tripled the price to bowl at some Lucky Strike locations in recent years. The lawsuit accused Lucky Strike of running a mousetrap business designed to squeeze as much money as possible out of hard-working families once they are in the door. Lucky Strike centers use algorithmic dynamic pricing.
47 for four guests to rent a lane for two hours on Friday. 66 for four guests for two hours, not counting food, drinks and other games. m.
On the weekends. Lucky Strike centers often include bowling alleys, arcade games, pool tables and full bars. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary compensation for an unspecified class of Lucky Strike customers and the unwinding of some of Bowleros acquisitions.
Bowlero is the worlds largest owner and operator of bowling centers, controlling roughly 35% of the industrys US revenue. Bowlero has a market cap of more than $900 million. The company also owns a growing portfolio of outdoor amusement and water parks.
A spokesperson for Lucky Strike denied the claims in the lawsuit. The Lucky Strike spokesperson said the company is confident in our conduct and planning to defend itself against the case. The Lucky Strike spokesperson said this lawsuit is a meritless attempt by a startup plaintiffs firm to generate headlines at the expense of a company that has spent more than three decades expanding opportunities for the sport of bowling and the communities we serve.
The Lucky Strike spokesperson said Lucky Strike Entertainment has a small share of a market with thousands of bowling operators and new competitors entering the space on a continual basis. The legal firm behind the complaint is Simonsen Sussman. Simonsen Sussman was formed in June by former Federal Trade Commission officials who worked for the agency under antitrust crusader Lina Khan.
Shares in Lucky Strike are down 15% so far this year. The company reported earnings this week that missed expectations. The company blamed two major winter storms and a decline in consumer confidence and discretionary spending amid concerns around the Iran war for missing earnings expectations.
In 2013 the companys former chief financial officer said it wanted to become the Starbucks of bowling.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
5 events- 2026-05-07
Class-action lawsuit filed in Washington federal court by 11 longtime bowlers against Lucky Strike Entertainment
3 sourcesNew York Times · New York Post · unattributed facts - 2026-05-06
Lucky Strike reported earnings that missed expectations, citing winter storms and decline in consumer confidence amid Iran war concerns
1 sourceunattributed facts - 2026-05-05
Lucky Strike Times Square charged $156.47 then $270.66 for four-guest two-hour lane rental
1 sourceplaintiffs via New York Post - 2013
Former chief financial officer stated desire to become the Starbucks of bowling
1 sourceplaintiffs via facts - 2025-06
Simonsen Sussman law firm formed by former FTC officials
1 sourceunattributed facts
Potential Impact
- 01
Lucky Strike shares have declined 15% year-to-date following missed earnings
- 02
Possible monetary damages paid to class of Lucky Strike customers
- 03
Increased scrutiny of algorithmic dynamic pricing in recreational venues
- 04
Potential unwinding of Bowlero acquisitions if plaintiffs prevail
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