Sandbox VR, the world’s leading provider of premium location-based virtual reality experiences, has announced significant milestones in its franchise program. In Q2, the company saw a remarkable 60% increase in franchise deals, and ambitious plans are underway to establish 280 new franchise locations over the next four years. This growth follows the recent opening of their 50th store, located on the Gold Coast, Australia, marking Sandbox VR’s debut in the country and further expanding its presence across four continents and nine countries.
Since its inception in 2017 with its first store in Hong Kong, Sandbox VR has swiftly expanded globally, now operating across various regions. With a flourishing mix of corporate-owned and franchise-operated locations, the company has become a destination for over 100,000 players each month. In 2023, Sandbox VR surpassed 1.2 million ticket sales, with a 33% rise in year-over-year sales projected for 2024. The company’s corporate stores, now totalling 37, have also achieved notable success, with each location generating an average of $1.9 million annually.
Rapid Franchise Expansion in the US Market
Sandbox VR launched its franchise program internationally in 2019, and in April 2024, it opened franchise opportunities in the US. Within just four months, 33% of Sandbox VR’s available US franchise territories were secured by new and existing partners. The company’s rapid growth, particularly in the US, highlights its position as the fastest-growing location-based VR startup in the world. Despite this expansion, prime franchise locations and exclusive territories remain available across the US for prospective partners.
“When I first envisioned Sandbox VR, I aimed to create the future of entertainment. Our success would not have been possible without the right team and our cutting-edge virtual reality technology,” said Steve Zhao, CEO and founder of Sandbox VR. “As we continue our global expansion, we are focused on collaborating with the right partners. We are thrilled to celebrate the opening of our 50th location in partnership with Bao Phung and Keith Le and look forward to launching hundreds more locations in the years ahead.”
Success Stories Highlight Franchise Strength
The partnership with Bao Phung, the owner of Sandbox VR’s Gold Coast location, underscores the company’s commitment to quality franchising. “After considering several location-based virtual reality franchises, we ultimately decided on Sandbox VR for its dominant position in the industry.” It was the best strategic decision for our business,” said Phung. “The Gold Coast, which welcomes 13 million visitors annually, is an ideal location for our first Australian store, offering an unparalleled immersive gaming experience.”
In the UK and Ireland, Sandbox VR’s franchise partners, VR Entertainment Group, have seen remarkable success. Since opening their first London location in July 2022 and their second in Birmingham a year later, they surpassed $10 million in revenue. London alone saw a 16.8% increase in visitors year-to-date, with projected revenue for 2024 expected to top $5 million.
“Our success is a testament to the strength of our partnership with Sandbox VR,” said Andy Scanlon, co-founder and CEO of VR Entertainment Group. “By combining their world-class VR technology with our local expertise, we’ve been able to deliver truly exceptional experiences for our guests.”
Future of Immersive Entertainment
Sandbox VR is pioneering the future of entertainment through its proprietary virtual reality technology. The company’s patented motion-tracking system, which monitors a player’s entire body, combined with advanced haptics, delivers an immersive experience unlike any other. With eight in-house developed experiences from AAA gaming studios in Hong Kong and Vancouver, players can fully engage in the virtual worlds, using their bodies as controllers in highly interactive social gameplay with up to six participants.
As Sandbox VR continues to push the boundaries of location-based VR, the company remains focused on its mission of delivering the world’s most immersive entertainment experiences, driving innovation, and building lasting partnerships with franchisees worldwide.
