Class-Action Lawsuit Accuses Bowlero Corp of Antitrust Violations

A class-action lawsuit was filed against Lucky Strike Entertainment and Bowlero Corp 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 plaintiffs claim Bowlero has been gobbling up its competitors through unlawful acquisitions.

U.S. revenue with a market cap of more than $900 million. The company also owns a growing portfolio of outdoor amusement and water parks.

Bowlero has driven the cost of bowling higher at its more than 350 locations across North America. It has as much as tripled the price to bowl at some Lucky Strike locations in recent years. , cost about $60 before food and drink and the lane wasn't even oiled.

Lucky Strike centers use algorithmic dynamic pricing. 47 for four guests to rent a lane for two hours on Friday. m. 66 for four guests for two hours, not counting food, drinks and other games.

M. on the weekends. 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.

The suit claimed Lucky Strike has degraded the bowling experience in an effort to boost its profits. In 2013 the company's former chief financial officer said it wanted to become the Starbucks of bowling. The chain has promoted gambling through its MoneyBowl app.

"This Court has the power to preserve the century-long tradition of operating bowling centers in this country as a fair and honest line of business providing all Americans, regardless of age or socioeconomic status, the opportunity to gather and engage in a national pastime at fair prices," the lawsuit stated.

A spokesperson for Lucky Strike denied the claims in the lawsuit. The spokesperson said the company is confident in our conduct and planning to defend itself against the case.

The spokesperson added that 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.

"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 spokesperson said. 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. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary compensation for an unspecified class of Lucky Strike customers and the unwinding of some of Bowlero's acquisitions. Shares in Lucky Strike are down 15 percent so far this year.

The company reported earnings this week that missed expectations, blaming two major winter storms and a decline in consumer confidence and discretionary spending amid concerns around the Iran war. The suit also pointed to unclean bathrooms, understaffed locations, lanes that often break down, night-club blacklights and extremely loud music that detract from the experience and distract bowlers.

Classic bowling pins at Garage Billiards & Bowl in Seattle were replaced with new pins attached to strings.

Similar changes were noted at acquired centers.