Starting An Escape Room Business: The Ultimate Guide

The Origins of Escape Rooms

Escape rooms draw inspiration from the popular “point and click” adventure games from the 80s. These digital escape games inspired the creation of real-life escape rooms, bringing the challenge and entertainment of virtual puzzles into the physical world. The creation of escape rooms required the creative juices of innovators like Takao Kato, who transformed digital adventures into real-life experiences.  An avid manga fan, Takao Kato wanted to recreate the adventures he read in books. In 2008, he developed the first Real Escape Game (REG) in Kyoto, Japan.

These immersive and entertaining escape room experiences evolved from digital games, offering participants a unique way to engage with puzzles and stories in a real-world setting.

Today, escape rooms have become a rapidly growing industry.

What is an escape room?

An escape room game is designed for small groups (2–10), testing problem-solving skills as teams work together to solve puzzles and hidden object hunts. There are many types of escape room games, each offering unique challenges, themes, and immersive experiences for players.

Popular for corporate team building, birthday parties, and special events, escape rooms challenge players to collaborate as they uncover hidden clues, crack codes, and use keys to open locks on boxes, containers, or doors. These interactive experiences develop teamwork and logical thinking as players interpret each clue, bringing them closer to the solution needed to progress.

Escape games often create puzzles around storylines, such as escaping captivity or foiling a crime, set in diverse locations like castles, prisons, or space stations. These puzzles may use certain words or symbols to guide players from one clue to the next. Different types of lighting are used to create immersive atmospheres that match the escape room's theme-such as dim lights for spooky settings or vibrant lighting for energetic adventures.

You can even create a home escape room for a fun and engaging activity. The ultimate goal is to escape the room before time runs out. Escape rooms combine teamwork, creativity, and excitement for a truly memorable experience.

Why Are Escape Rooms So Popular Today?

Escape games have become a popular choice for families, friends, and large groups looking for something fun and different to do together. From the moment you step into your first escape room, you get to play as a team, create solutions, solve clever clues, and decide your next move under pressure. Each game puts you inside a mystery story—far more exciting than any box gamewhere guests of all ages, including kids, can enjoy the thrill of working together. It’s this mix of excitement, teamwork, and immersive storytelling that makes the experience so enjoyable and memorable.

How big is the escape room market?‍

The escape room industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years. According to Statista report, the global market was valued at around $2.2 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2022. This surge is driven by rising interest in team-building activities and immersive entertainment experiences. With demand increasing, more escape rooms are appearing across the UK and beyond.

Right, let's crack on with our step-by-step guide to starting your own escape room business!

1. Research the market and your competitors
2. Define your ethos and goals
3. Draw up a business plan
4. Ensure you have a secure a budget
5. Pick an appropriate venue
6. Develop exciting themes and narratives
7. Create a marketing strategy
8. Choose an online booking system
9. Gather customer feedback
10. Ensure your business meets legal requirements

1. Research the market and your competitors

Before launching any business, thorough research is essential. Take the time to gather detailed data to help you make well-informed decisions. Comprehensive market research will give you a clearer understanding of your customers and competitors, especially within your local area.

Look into key demographics such as age, occupation, and interests to tailor your escape rooms effectively. For example, a quick search for the keyword “Escape Room” on sites like Apollo.io reveals hundreds of listings in the US alone, showing how competitive the market can be.

Use tools like Apollo.io alongside Google Maps searches for “escape room + your region” to identify local competitors and spot opportunities.

Understanding your market inside and out will set a strong foundation for your escape room business and help you stand out from the crowd. Taking a course on escape room design or event planning can also give you a competitive edge and improve your offerings.

2. Define your ethos and goals

Once you understand the market, clearly set your business vision and goals. Be specific to avoid issues later. Ask yourself:

1. What is the unique selling point of your escape room?
2. Who is it suitable for?
3. How will you keep your visitors coming back?
4. What is the best location?
5. What are the must-have features or elements that will set your escape room apart?

Answering these will shape your business plan and guide your next steps.

3. Draw up a comprehensive business plan

Next, create a clear business plan outlining your immediate priorities and long-term goals. This plan will guide your path to success. Key points to cover include:

• What will your business be called? How would you describe it, and where will it be based?  
• Carry out market analysis so you fully understand supply, demand, and competition—including opportunities for kids’ escape room games and family-friendly options.
• What are your short-term and long-term goals? 
• What sales strategy will you use to achieve these?
• What services will you provide? What type and how many games?
• Will you sell products, add-ons, and merchandise?
• Carefully consider costs: your budget and financial projections.
• How will you market your business?

The Business Plan Shop have created a nice business plan template specifically designed for Escape Room businesses, it's well worth a look if you're new to business plans!

4. Ensure you have secure budget

Around 60% of small businesses fail in the first year, and one reason is a lack of financial planning. When starting your escape room business, make sure your budget covers all major costs—venue, props, equipment, marketing, and legal fees.

Keep expenses low by sourcing affordable materials and incorporating DIY elements into your games. Using cheap locks is a cost-effective way to create engaging puzzles without overspending on props. Before designing your rooms, ensure you have secured the necessary funds or explore financing options with a solid business plan.

The largest cost is typically the venue. If you own your premises, you’ll have more flexibility. On average, setting up your own escape room costs between €7,000 and €30,000.

5. What About Printable Escape Room Games?

Not every escape room requires a dedicated venue. Printable escape room kits are a growing trend and offer an excellent entry point for entrepreneurs with limited budgets. These games provide an immersive escape room experience that can be enjoyed at home or at events. They can be designed once and sold multiple times, making them a scalable business model. Ideal for families, kids, schools, or small theme parties, printable escape rooms are typically PDF-based games that include storylines, puzzles, instructions, hints, and opportunities for immersive play. They can be sold via an online store, on Etsy, or directly through your website. With some creative design and marketing, you can build a profitable passive income stream.

6. Choose the right venue

With your budget in place, it’s time to find the perfect location. Prioritise accessibility, local foot traffic, and proximity to entertainment hubs. While you should avoid hidden spots—your customers shouldn’t need a map just to find you—choose a venue that evokes a sense of mystery to intrigue and attract potential customers.

Look for a space with enough room for your planned group sizes, themes, and multiple rooms. Ensure there’s ample space for groups to move around as they play together. Think about essentials: electricity, fire exits, admin space, a sturdy table to organise and present puzzles and clues, and potential for expansion. The layout and feel of the venue will also shape your game design, whether you’re targeting families, kids, or adults, so choose wisely.

Remember—more space means more creative freedom and better customer experience.

The escape room experience starts with strong design. Your space should reflect the theme—whether it’s a haunted house, spy mission, or pirate ship—with immersive props, lighting, and sound. Use different types of light, such as UV light or flashlight, to reveal hidden clues, create engaging puzzles, and enhance the immersive experience. The right light can set the mood and make your escape room more interactive.

When planning your layout, consider not only the play areas but also including a separate lounge or discussion room where guests can relax, talk about their escape room experience, and enjoy drinks before or after the game.

Plan the flow so puzzles lead naturally from one to the next. Use your space creatively with hidden compartments, locked boxes, and clever clues. Integrate different types of lock, such as padlocks or combination locks, into puzzles and storytelling to enhance interactivity and allow players to progress by unlocking new clues or areas. Incorporate a locked box as a satisfying challenge for players to discover and unlock. Increase engagement by hiding clues and puzzle pieces in unexpected places, such as inside books, cushions, or taped under tables. Puzzle pieces can also be used as part of multi-step challenges to add depth and interactivity.

Atmosphere is key. Every detail—from the decor to background noise—should support the story and draw players into the game. A well-designed set creates memorable, repeat-worthy experiences.

8. Designing Puzzles and Games

Puzzles are the core of your escape room business. Aim for a balanced mix of challenge and fun by combining riddles, hidden objects, logic problems, and physical tasks. Learning how to create puzzles that are both challenging and solvable is essential for an engaging experience.

Make sure each puzzle fits naturally into your theme. Whether it’s decoding secret messages or assembling clues, everything should feel part of the story. Use creative props and interactive elements to keep players engaged, and consider ways to adapt your puzzles for kids or escape room parties to suit different audiences.

Encourage teamwork. Great puzzles require collaboration and communication. Test thoroughly to ensure the difficulty suits your audience—whether it’s adults, kids, or a special escape room party—and the game flows smoothly. Once a puzzle is solved, it should lead to the next clue, ensuring a logical progression throughout the game. The game is only completed when all puzzles and challenges have been solved, marking the successful escape. Memorable puzzles will keep players coming back for more.

9. Embrace technology to boost immersion

Modern tech can take your business to the next level. Automated locks, motion sensors, and sound effects create a more immersive experience and add surprise to every game.

Incorporate digital elements like tablets, touchscreens, or AR to deliver clues and interactive challenges. You can also use a cell phone as part of a puzzle—for example, requiring players to communicate or unlock clues using their device during the game. Smart hint systems can guide players without breaking the flow.

Technology also helps you tailor games to different group sizes or skill levels, making your business more inclusive. By staying up to date with innovations, you’ll create standout experiences and future-proof your business.

10. Create captivating themes and stories

A great escape room starts with a brilliant idea. More than many other businesses, escape rooms depend on creativity—engaging stories and well-crafted themes are what truly immerse players and make your games memorable.

With so many escape rooms on the market, your theme needs to stand out. Think about what would appeal to your local audience and look at what nearby competitors are doing—then take it further with your own original twist.

Here are a few popular escape room themes to inspire your concept:

Pirate’s Treasure: Ahoy, mateys! In this pirate-themed escape room adventure, players find themselves aboard a ship, searching for the fabled treasure of Captain Blackbeard. But they’re not alone—the ghost of Blackbeard himself is haunting the ship, guarding his treasure and challenging players to solve his puzzles and riddles. Don’t forget to look for hidden hints along the way—each one could be the key to outsmarting the ghost and claiming the treasure for yourselves!

Zombie Escape Room: The undead have taken over the world and it’s up to your players to find the cure and save humanity! In this immersive zombie escape room, players must navigate through a city overrun with zombies, collecting clues and solving puzzles to find the cure before it’s too late. But be careful – the zombies are everywhere and they’re hungry for brains!

Time Travel Adventure: Ready to travel through time and space? In this escape room adventure, players are whisked away to different eras and locations, from ancient Egypt to a futuristic space station. But there’s a catch – they have to solve puzzles and complete challenges in each location before they can move on to the next one. Can they travel through time and complete the mission before time runs out?

When designing your rooms, tailor them to your audience. For kids, games should feature colourful settings, simple clues, fun props, and age-appropriate puzzles, as well as engaging themes and fun rewards to keep them motivated. For adults, consider layered puzzles, secret codes, or even age-restricted elements for a more intense experience.

Use everyday items creatively—hide clues in boxes, containers, or locked compartments using padlocks, bike locks, or hidden codes. UV lighting, sound effects, and clever lighting setups can also help set the mood and enhance immersion.

Escape rooms don’t have to be commercial—home-based games or parties can offer just as much fun. Hosting an escape room party in your own home is a great way to create a personalised and memorable experience. Make sure to finalise all your preparations just before the guests arrive so everything is ready for the escape room party. And remember, the best experiences are shared, so encourage group play for maximum enjoyment.

Need more ideas? Explore creative puzzle ideas here.

11. Hire and train the right team

Your team is the backbone of your escape room business. Great staff make the experience smooth, safe, and fun for your guests. They should get involved in the theme and help make every customer’s experience or party unforgettable.

Look for people who love puzzles and have strong communication skills. They’ll need to reset rooms quickly, give helpful hints, and keep players engaged—a friendly, energetic attitude goes a long way. Building a welcoming team is key to making everyone feel at home.

Don’t forget, training is crucial. Make sure staff know the storylines, puzzles, technology, and safety procedures inside and out. Encourage your team to complete a course on escape room operations, puzzle design, or customer service to ensure high-quality experiences. Hold regular refreshers so everyone stays sharp and consistent.

A well-trained, motivated team creates a great first impression—and keeps customers coming back.

12. Create a marketing strategy‍

With your escape room ready to go, it’s time to spread the word. A well-thought-out marketing plan will help attract new players and keep your rooms booked up.

Start with low-cost options: list your business on Google My Business and TripAdvisor, share behind-the-scenes videos on social media, and collect glowing reviews from happy customers. These simple steps can go a long way.

Social media is a powerful tool—use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share game teasers, player reactions, and special offers. Don’t forget email marketing, which is great for keeping past customers engaged with updates and exclusive deals.

You can also run local promotions or partner with nearby businesses, like bars or cafes, to create unique experiences or package deals.

If you have the budget, test paid ads on Google or Facebook to target puzzle fans in your area.

The key? Stay creative and true to your brand—just like your rooms, your marketing should be fun, exciting, and a little bit mysterious.

13. Use an online booking system 

An online booking system is a game-changer if you want to host your own escape room business. It saves you admin time, improves accuracy, and makes the booking process much easier for customers.

With a good system, guests can book anytime—day or night—without needing to call or email. That means fewer phone enquiries for you and a better experience for them. Real-time availability also helps avoid double-bookings and streamlines your scheduling.

Most booking tools also handle payments securely, so there’s no need to chase invoices or take card details manually. Plus, these platforms collect useful data about your customers, helping you tailor your marketing and plan smarter.

There are many options out there, but for small businesses looking for ease and affordability, Baluu is a great pick. It’s an all-in-one booking system that lets you take payments, manage bookings, build a custom site, and analyse performance in one place.

Want to explore more options? Check out our blog on the

For more details, check out this guide to the best online booking systems. Top 10 Best Booking Systems For Small Businesses.

And if you want to give Baluu a shot, this guide will show you How To Create An Online Booking System. https://vimeo.com/829272345

14. Host parties to attract new audiences

Escape rooms are a brilliant choice for birthdays, team-building events, stag and hen dos, or just a fun night out. Offering event packages is a smart way to reach new customers and boost bookings.

Tailor your games to suit the occasion. A zombie-themed escape room is perfect for a spooky birthday party, while custom puzzles and challenges can make corporate events more engaging and collaborative. You could even tweak storylines to fit specific celebrations or branding. Or, for a new twist, you could even create an individual-play version— the first person who escapes the room wins a prize!

With a bit of creativity and thoughtful planning, you’ll create unforgettable experiences that keep people coming back—and bringing more friends with them.

15. Gather customer feedback to improve and promote your escape room

Customer reviews are invaluable for any business—especially escape rooms. Start collecting feedback early to understand what works and what needs tweaking. Online booking platforms like Baluu offer handy features to request and manage reviews effortlessly.

Customise your feedback forms to ask specific questions: Were the puzzles too tricky? How can we improve? Positive testimonials are marketing gold—you can showcase them on your website, social media, and printed materials to build trust and attract new players.

16. Meet all legal and safety requirements

Unfortunately, you can't just spend all your time coming up with cool activities. At some point, you need to get your business authorised and obtain all the necessary licenses. Draw up some terms and conditions that cover you legally, along with a privacy policy clearly explained on your website.

The escape room industry is now much more tightly regulated, so you need to ensure you research the safety requirements specific to your country. 

Not only are you providing a fun and engaging space for your customers, but that space also needs to be safe so that they're protected. Remember, negligence could lead to a potential accident that could (at the very least) shut your business down.

Running an escape room business in the UK requires compliance with various legal requirements. Some of the key considerations include ensuring the safety of customers and employees, protecting the business against potential legal claims or liabilities, and complying with relevant licensing and data protection regulations.

To meet health and safety requirements, it's important to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the escape room game and design the game in accordance with relevant regulations. Fire safety is also a key concern, and you should have an up-to-date fire risk assessment, adequate fire protection, and escape routes in place.

Obtaining appropriate insurance, such as public liability insurance, employers' liability insurance, and property insurance, is essential to protect the business against potential legal claims or liabilities.

You may also need to obtain various licenses and permits, such as a premises license or an entertainment license, to operate your escape room business. Moreover, if you collect personal data from customers, you must comply with data protection regulations to ensure that data is collected and stored securely and that customers are informed about how their data is being used.

It's important to ensure that the escape room is accessible to people with disabilities, including providing wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and designing the game in such a way that it can be played by people with a range of disabilities.

Overall, it's important to seek professional advice and guidance to ensure that your escape room business is fully compliant with all legal requirements and regulations in the UK.

17. Launching Your Escape Room: Grand Opening Tips

Choose a launch date and build excitement with teasers on your website and social media. Offer early-bird discounts or special packages to encourage bookings. Consider a soft opening with friends, family, or local influencers to get feedback and generate buzz. On launch day, ensure your staff is prepared and your room is fully set up for a memorable first experience. A well-planned opening can turn first visitors into loyal customers.

Conclusion

People are bored with the same old activities, and escape rooms offer them a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave an indelible mark. If you do decide to join this exciting industry, you won't just be counting coins or providing people a service, but offering unforgettable memories.

With this guide, we've tried to cover all the key areas of getting your escape room up and running. That being said, we strongly advise you to research further until you're confident in your business plan and have the budget to support it. The fulfillment gained from running a successful escape room business is rarely matched—just make sure you dot your I's and cross your T's. Good luck!

The Origins of Escape Rooms

Escape rooms draw inspiration from the popular “point and click” adventure games from the 80s. These digital escape games inspired the creation of real-life escape rooms, bringing the challenge and entertainment of virtual puzzles into the physical world. The creation of escape rooms required the creative juices of innovators like Takao Kato, who transformed digital adventures into real-life experiences.  An avid manga fan, Takao Kato wanted to recreate the adventures he read in books. In 2008, he developed the first Real Escape Game (REG) in Kyoto, Japan.

These immersive and entertaining escape room experiences evolved from digital games, offering participants a unique way to engage with puzzles and stories in a real-world setting.

Today, escape rooms have become a rapidly growing industry.

What is an escape room?

An escape room game is designed for small groups (2–10), testing problem-solving skills as teams work together to solve puzzles and hidden object hunts. There are many types of escape room games, each offering unique challenges, themes, and immersive experiences for players.

Popular for corporate team building, birthday parties, and special events, escape rooms challenge players to collaborate as they uncover hidden clues, crack codes, and use keys to open locks on boxes, containers, or doors. These interactive experiences develop teamwork and logical thinking as players interpret each clue, bringing them closer to the solution needed to progress.

Escape games often create puzzles around storylines, such as escaping captivity or foiling a crime, set in diverse locations like castles, prisons, or space stations. These puzzles may use certain words or symbols to guide players from one clue to the next. Different types of lighting are used to create immersive atmospheres that match the escape room's theme-such as dim lights for spooky settings or vibrant lighting for energetic adventures.

You can even create a home escape room for a fun and engaging activity. The ultimate goal is to escape the room before time runs out. Escape rooms combine teamwork, creativity, and excitement for a truly memorable experience.

Why Are Escape Rooms So Popular Today?

Escape games have become a popular choice for families, friends, and large groups looking for something fun and different to do together. From the moment you step into your first escape room, you get to play as a team, create solutions, solve clever clues, and decide your next move under pressure. Each game puts you inside a mystery story—far more exciting than any box gamewhere guests of all ages, including kids, can enjoy the thrill of working together. It’s this mix of excitement, teamwork, and immersive storytelling that makes the experience so enjoyable and memorable.

How big is the escape room market?‍

The escape room industry has seen remarkable growth in recent years. According to Statista report, the global market was valued at around $2.2 billion in 2018 and is projected to reach $3.5 billion by 2022. This surge is driven by rising interest in team-building activities and immersive entertainment experiences. With demand increasing, more escape rooms are appearing across the UK and beyond.

Right, let's crack on with our step-by-step guide to starting your own escape room business!

1. Research the market and your competitors
2. Define your ethos and goals
3. Draw up a business plan
4. Ensure you have a secure a budget
5. Pick an appropriate venue
6. Develop exciting themes and narratives
7. Create a marketing strategy
8. Choose an online booking system
9. Gather customer feedback
10. Ensure your business meets legal requirements

1. Research the market and your competitors

Before launching any business, thorough research is essential. Take the time to gather detailed data to help you make well-informed decisions. Comprehensive market research will give you a clearer understanding of your customers and competitors, especially within your local area.

Look into key demographics such as age, occupation, and interests to tailor your escape rooms effectively. For example, a quick search for the keyword “Escape Room” on sites like Apollo.io reveals hundreds of listings in the US alone, showing how competitive the market can be.

Use tools like Apollo.io alongside Google Maps searches for “escape room + your region” to identify local competitors and spot opportunities.

Understanding your market inside and out will set a strong foundation for your escape room business and help you stand out from the crowd. Taking a course on escape room design or event planning can also give you a competitive edge and improve your offerings.

2. Define your ethos and goals

Once you understand the market, clearly set your business vision and goals. Be specific to avoid issues later. Ask yourself:

1. What is the unique selling point of your escape room?
2. Who is it suitable for?
3. How will you keep your visitors coming back?
4. What is the best location?
5. What are the must-have features or elements that will set your escape room apart?

Answering these will shape your business plan and guide your next steps.

3. Draw up a comprehensive business plan

Next, create a clear business plan outlining your immediate priorities and long-term goals. This plan will guide your path to success. Key points to cover include:

• What will your business be called? How would you describe it, and where will it be based?  
• Carry out market analysis so you fully understand supply, demand, and competition—including opportunities for kids’ escape room games and family-friendly options.
• What are your short-term and long-term goals? 
• What sales strategy will you use to achieve these?
• What services will you provide? What type and how many games?
• Will you sell products, add-ons, and merchandise?
• Carefully consider costs: your budget and financial projections.
• How will you market your business?

The Business Plan Shop have created a nice business plan template specifically designed for Escape Room businesses, it's well worth a look if you're new to business plans!

4. Ensure you have secure budget

Around 60% of small businesses fail in the first year, and one reason is a lack of financial planning. When starting your escape room business, make sure your budget covers all major costs—venue, props, equipment, marketing, and legal fees.

Keep expenses low by sourcing affordable materials and incorporating DIY elements into your games. Using cheap locks is a cost-effective way to create engaging puzzles without overspending on props. Before designing your rooms, ensure you have secured the necessary funds or explore financing options with a solid business plan.

The largest cost is typically the venue. If you own your premises, you’ll have more flexibility. On average, setting up your own escape room costs between €7,000 and €30,000.

5. What About Printable Escape Room Games?

Not every escape room requires a dedicated venue. Printable escape room kits are a growing trend and offer an excellent entry point for entrepreneurs with limited budgets. These games provide an immersive escape room experience that can be enjoyed at home or at events. They can be designed once and sold multiple times, making them a scalable business model. Ideal for families, kids, schools, or small theme parties, printable escape rooms are typically PDF-based games that include storylines, puzzles, instructions, hints, and opportunities for immersive play. They can be sold via an online store, on Etsy, or directly through your website. With some creative design and marketing, you can build a profitable passive income stream.

6. Choose the right venue

With your budget in place, it’s time to find the perfect location. Prioritise accessibility, local foot traffic, and proximity to entertainment hubs. While you should avoid hidden spots—your customers shouldn’t need a map just to find you—choose a venue that evokes a sense of mystery to intrigue and attract potential customers.

Look for a space with enough room for your planned group sizes, themes, and multiple rooms. Ensure there’s ample space for groups to move around as they play together. Think about essentials: electricity, fire exits, admin space, a sturdy table to organise and present puzzles and clues, and potential for expansion. The layout and feel of the venue will also shape your game design, whether you’re targeting families, kids, or adults, so choose wisely.

Remember—more space means more creative freedom and better customer experience.

The escape room experience starts with strong design. Your space should reflect the theme—whether it’s a haunted house, spy mission, or pirate ship—with immersive props, lighting, and sound. Use different types of light, such as UV light or flashlight, to reveal hidden clues, create engaging puzzles, and enhance the immersive experience. The right light can set the mood and make your escape room more interactive.

When planning your layout, consider not only the play areas but also including a separate lounge or discussion room where guests can relax, talk about their escape room experience, and enjoy drinks before or after the game.

Plan the flow so puzzles lead naturally from one to the next. Use your space creatively with hidden compartments, locked boxes, and clever clues. Integrate different types of lock, such as padlocks or combination locks, into puzzles and storytelling to enhance interactivity and allow players to progress by unlocking new clues or areas. Incorporate a locked box as a satisfying challenge for players to discover and unlock. Increase engagement by hiding clues and puzzle pieces in unexpected places, such as inside books, cushions, or taped under tables. Puzzle pieces can also be used as part of multi-step challenges to add depth and interactivity.

Atmosphere is key. Every detail—from the decor to background noise—should support the story and draw players into the game. A well-designed set creates memorable, repeat-worthy experiences.

8. Designing Puzzles and Games

Puzzles are the core of your escape room business. Aim for a balanced mix of challenge and fun by combining riddles, hidden objects, logic problems, and physical tasks. Learning how to create puzzles that are both challenging and solvable is essential for an engaging experience.

Make sure each puzzle fits naturally into your theme. Whether it’s decoding secret messages or assembling clues, everything should feel part of the story. Use creative props and interactive elements to keep players engaged, and consider ways to adapt your puzzles for kids or escape room parties to suit different audiences.

Encourage teamwork. Great puzzles require collaboration and communication. Test thoroughly to ensure the difficulty suits your audience—whether it’s adults, kids, or a special escape room party—and the game flows smoothly. Once a puzzle is solved, it should lead to the next clue, ensuring a logical progression throughout the game. The game is only completed when all puzzles and challenges have been solved, marking the successful escape. Memorable puzzles will keep players coming back for more.

9. Embrace technology to boost immersion

Modern tech can take your business to the next level. Automated locks, motion sensors, and sound effects create a more immersive experience and add surprise to every game.

Incorporate digital elements like tablets, touchscreens, or AR to deliver clues and interactive challenges. You can also use a cell phone as part of a puzzle—for example, requiring players to communicate or unlock clues using their device during the game. Smart hint systems can guide players without breaking the flow.

Technology also helps you tailor games to different group sizes or skill levels, making your business more inclusive. By staying up to date with innovations, you’ll create standout experiences and future-proof your business.

10. Create captivating themes and stories

A great escape room starts with a brilliant idea. More than many other businesses, escape rooms depend on creativity—engaging stories and well-crafted themes are what truly immerse players and make your games memorable.

With so many escape rooms on the market, your theme needs to stand out. Think about what would appeal to your local audience and look at what nearby competitors are doing—then take it further with your own original twist.

Here are a few popular escape room themes to inspire your concept:

Pirate’s Treasure: Ahoy, mateys! In this pirate-themed escape room adventure, players find themselves aboard a ship, searching for the fabled treasure of Captain Blackbeard. But they’re not alone—the ghost of Blackbeard himself is haunting the ship, guarding his treasure and challenging players to solve his puzzles and riddles. Don’t forget to look for hidden hints along the way—each one could be the key to outsmarting the ghost and claiming the treasure for yourselves!

Zombie Escape Room: The undead have taken over the world and it’s up to your players to find the cure and save humanity! In this immersive zombie escape room, players must navigate through a city overrun with zombies, collecting clues and solving puzzles to find the cure before it’s too late. But be careful – the zombies are everywhere and they’re hungry for brains!

Time Travel Adventure: Ready to travel through time and space? In this escape room adventure, players are whisked away to different eras and locations, from ancient Egypt to a futuristic space station. But there’s a catch – they have to solve puzzles and complete challenges in each location before they can move on to the next one. Can they travel through time and complete the mission before time runs out?

When designing your rooms, tailor them to your audience. For kids, games should feature colourful settings, simple clues, fun props, and age-appropriate puzzles, as well as engaging themes and fun rewards to keep them motivated. For adults, consider layered puzzles, secret codes, or even age-restricted elements for a more intense experience.

Use everyday items creatively—hide clues in boxes, containers, or locked compartments using padlocks, bike locks, or hidden codes. UV lighting, sound effects, and clever lighting setups can also help set the mood and enhance immersion.

Escape rooms don’t have to be commercial—home-based games or parties can offer just as much fun. Hosting an escape room party in your own home is a great way to create a personalised and memorable experience. Make sure to finalise all your preparations just before the guests arrive so everything is ready for the escape room party. And remember, the best experiences are shared, so encourage group play for maximum enjoyment.

Need more ideas? Explore creative puzzle ideas here.

11. Hire and train the right team

Your team is the backbone of your escape room business. Great staff make the experience smooth, safe, and fun for your guests. They should get involved in the theme and help make every customer’s experience or party unforgettable.

Look for people who love puzzles and have strong communication skills. They’ll need to reset rooms quickly, give helpful hints, and keep players engaged—a friendly, energetic attitude goes a long way. Building a welcoming team is key to making everyone feel at home.

Don’t forget, training is crucial. Make sure staff know the storylines, puzzles, technology, and safety procedures inside and out. Encourage your team to complete a course on escape room operations, puzzle design, or customer service to ensure high-quality experiences. Hold regular refreshers so everyone stays sharp and consistent.

A well-trained, motivated team creates a great first impression—and keeps customers coming back.

12. Create a marketing strategy‍

With your escape room ready to go, it’s time to spread the word. A well-thought-out marketing plan will help attract new players and keep your rooms booked up.

Start with low-cost options: list your business on Google My Business and TripAdvisor, share behind-the-scenes videos on social media, and collect glowing reviews from happy customers. These simple steps can go a long way.

Social media is a powerful tool—use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to share game teasers, player reactions, and special offers. Don’t forget email marketing, which is great for keeping past customers engaged with updates and exclusive deals.

You can also run local promotions or partner with nearby businesses, like bars or cafes, to create unique experiences or package deals.

If you have the budget, test paid ads on Google or Facebook to target puzzle fans in your area.

The key? Stay creative and true to your brand—just like your rooms, your marketing should be fun, exciting, and a little bit mysterious.

13. Use an online booking system 

An online booking system is a game-changer if you want to host your own escape room business. It saves you admin time, improves accuracy, and makes the booking process much easier for customers.

With a good system, guests can book anytime—day or night—without needing to call or email. That means fewer phone enquiries for you and a better experience for them. Real-time availability also helps avoid double-bookings and streamlines your scheduling.

Most booking tools also handle payments securely, so there’s no need to chase invoices or take card details manually. Plus, these platforms collect useful data about your customers, helping you tailor your marketing and plan smarter.

There are many options out there, but for small businesses looking for ease and affordability, Baluu is a great pick. It’s an all-in-one booking system that lets you take payments, manage bookings, build a custom site, and analyse performance in one place.

Want to explore more options? Check out our blog on the

Top 10 Best Booking Systems For Small Businesses.

And if you want to give Baluu a shot, this guide will show you How To Create An Online Booking System. https://vimeo.com/829272345

14. Host parties to attract new audiences

Escape rooms are a brilliant choice for birthdays, team-building events, stag and hen dos, or just a fun night out. Offering event packages is a smart way to reach new customers and boost bookings.

Tailor your games to suit the occasion. A zombie-themed escape room is perfect for a spooky birthday party, while custom puzzles and challenges can make corporate events more engaging and collaborative. You could even tweak storylines to fit specific celebrations or branding. Or, for a new twist, you could even create an individual-play version— the first person who escapes the room wins a prize!

With a bit of creativity and thoughtful planning, you’ll create unforgettable experiences that keep people coming back—and bringing more friends with them.

15. Gather customer feedback to improve and promote your escape room

Customer reviews are invaluable for any business—especially escape rooms. Start collecting feedback early to understand what works and what needs tweaking. Online booking platforms like Baluu offer handy features to request and manage reviews effortlessly.

Customise your feedback forms to ask specific questions: Were the puzzles too tricky? How can we improve? Positive testimonials are marketing gold—you can showcase them on your website, social media, and printed materials to build trust and attract new players.

16. Meet all legal and safety requirements

Unfortunately, you can't just spend all your time coming up with cool activities. At some point, you need to get your business authorised and obtain all the necessary licenses. Draw up some terms and conditions that cover you legally, along with a privacy policy clearly explained on your website.

The escape room industry is now much more tightly regulated, so you need to ensure you research the safety requirements specific to your country. 

Not only are you providing a fun and engaging space for your customers, but that space also needs to be safe so that they're protected. Remember, negligence could lead to a potential accident that could (at the very least) shut your business down.

Running an escape room business in the UK requires compliance with various legal requirements. Some of the key considerations include ensuring the safety of customers and employees, protecting the business against potential legal claims or liabilities, and complying with relevant licensing and data protection regulations.

To meet health and safety requirements, it's important to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the escape room game and design the game in accordance with relevant regulations. Fire safety is also a key concern, and you should have an up-to-date fire risk assessment, adequate fire protection, and escape routes in place.

Obtaining appropriate insurance, such as public liability insurance, employers' liability insurance, and property insurance, is essential to protect the business against potential legal claims or liabilities.

You may also need to obtain various licenses and permits, such as a premises license or an entertainment license, to operate your escape room business. Moreover, if you collect personal data from customers, you must comply with data protection regulations to ensure that data is collected and stored securely and that customers are informed about how their data is being used.

It's important to ensure that the escape room is accessible to people with disabilities, including providing wheelchair access, accessible toilets, and designing the game in such a way that it can be played by people with a range of disabilities.

Overall, it's important to seek professional advice and guidance to ensure that your escape room business is fully compliant with all legal requirements and regulations in the UK.

17. Launching Your Escape Room: Grand Opening Tips

Choose a launch date and build excitement with teasers on your website and social media. Offer early-bird discounts or special packages to encourage bookings. Consider a soft opening with friends, family, or local influencers to get feedback and generate buzz. On launch day, ensure your staff is prepared and your room is fully set up for a memorable first experience. A well-planned opening can turn first visitors into loyal customers.

Conclusion

People are bored with the same old activities, and escape rooms offer them a one-of-a-kind experience that will leave an indelible mark. If you do decide to join this exciting industry, you won't just be counting coins or providing people a service, but offering unforgettable memories.

With this guide, we've tried to cover all the key areas of getting your escape room up and running. That being said, we strongly advise you to research further until you're confident in your business plan and have the budget to support it. The fulfillment gained from running a successful escape room business is rarely matched—just make sure you dot your I's and cross your T's. Good luck!

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