How to Standardize Arcade Equipment Across Multiple Locations

How to Standardize Arcade Equipment Across Multiple Locations

Managing arcade equipment across one location can be relatively straightforward. Managing equipment across several locations is a different challenge.

As a business grows, operators may have machines in shopping malls, family entertainment centers, retail stores, entertainment complexes, or standalone arcades. Each location may have different floor space and customer traffic, but the business still needs a consistent way to purchase, install, operate, maintain, and replace its equipment.

This is where arcade equipment standardization becomes important.

Standardization does not mean every location must have exactly the same machines. Instead, it means creating consistent equipment specifications, operating procedures, spare-parts systems, branding standards, and management processes while still allowing each location to adapt to its market.

A well-designed standardization strategy can simplify purchasing, staff training, maintenance, inventory management, and future expansion.

1. What Does Arcade Equipment Standardization Mean?

Arcade equipment standardization is the process of establishing common specifications and procedures for equipment used across multiple locations.

This can include:

• Standard machine models

• Standard electrical configurations

• Standard payment systems

• Standard branding

• Standard operating settings

• Standard spare parts

• Standard maintenance procedures

• Standard installation requirements

• Standard staff training

• Standard reporting

The objective is consistency.

For example, a business operating ten locations may decide that its core claw machines should use the same model family, payment configuration, voltage specification, and major replacement components.

However, the number of machines and prize selection can still vary by location.

2. Why Standardization Becomes Important as You Grow

A small arcade may be able to manage different machine types without much difficulty.

As the number of locations increases, complexity grows quickly.

Suppose a company has:

• 3 locations

• 50 machines

• 8 different machine models

• 5 payment configurations

• 4 electrical configurations

• 3 different joystick types

Maintenance and staff training become more complicated.

If the business later expands to 20 locations, the same differences can create a much larger management burden.

Standardization can reduce this complexity.

Benefits may include:

• Easier purchasing

• Faster staff training

• Simpler maintenance

• Fewer spare-parts categories

• More consistent branding

• Easier troubleshooting

• More predictable installation

• Better supplier communication

• Easier equipment replacement

3. Do Not Try to Standardize Everything

Complete standardization is not always practical.

Different locations may have different requirements.

For example:

A large FEC may need multiplayer games and large prize machines.

A small retail location may need compact equipment.

A shopping mall may prioritize visual appearance.

A hotel may require quieter and simpler equipment.

Therefore, it is useful to divide equipment into three categories:

Core equipment

Machines that should remain highly standardized across locations.

Flexible equipment

Machines selected according to the size and customer profile of each location.

Feature equipment

Special machines used to create a unique attraction or support a particular promotion.

This approach provides consistency without making every location identical.

4. Build a Master Equipment List

The first practical step is creating a master equipment list.

This should contain every approved machine and its specifications.

Useful fields include:

This document becomes a reference for purchasing and operations.

It can also prevent employees from accidentally ordering incompatible equipment.

5. Establish Approved Machine Models

Instead of allowing every location to purchase equipment independently, create an approved model list.

For example:

Category A — Core Claw Machines

• Standard single-player model

• Standard two-player model

Category B — Prize Machines

• Standard prize machine

• Compact prize machine

Category C — Other Games

• Basketball

• Boxing

• Air hockey

• Arcade cabinet

The exact models depend on the business.

The goal is to limit unnecessary variation.

A smaller approved product range can make future orders more efficient.

6. Standardize Electrical Specifications

Electrical compatibility is particularly important for multi-location operations.

If possible, standardize machines according to each market.

Record:

• Voltage

• Frequency

• Plug type

• Rated power

• Payment-system requirements

For international businesses, separate standards may be required for different markets.

For example, equipment destined for one country may require a different plug or voltage configuration from equipment destined for another.

The important point is to define these requirements before production.

Electrical information should appear in the purchasing specification rather than being left to assumptions.

7. Standardize Payment Systems Where Practical

Payment systems can become a major source of operational variation.

One location may use coins, another may use QR payments, and another may use cards.

Some variation may be necessary because customer preferences and payment infrastructure differ by market.

However, within the same market, standardization can simplify:

• Staff training

• Troubleshooting

• Spare parts

• Payment reconciliation

• Customer instructions

For example, if ten locations in the same market use the same cashless payment configuration, technical staff become familiar with one system rather than several unrelated systems.

8. Standardize Branding

Brand consistency is especially important for multi-location operators.

Customers should recognize the same arcade brand whether they visit:

• Location A

• Location B

• Location C

• Location D

Standardize elements such as:

• Logo placement

• Brand colors

• Cabinet graphics

• Signage

• Pricing displays

• Instruction format

• Promotional messages

At the same time, leave some room for location-specific campaigns.

A standardized cabinet design can include interchangeable promotional artwork so the equipment can support different seasonal campaigns.

9. Standardize Operating Settings

Two identical machines can produce different customer experiences if their operating settings are configured differently.

For claw machines, operators may need to define internal operating standards for settings such as:

• Game price

• Prize configuration

• Claw behavior

• Game timing

• Payment configuration

The exact settings depend on the machine model and local operating strategy.

Keep a record of approved settings.

When a new machine is installed, technicians can use the approved configuration as a starting point.

This creates a more consistent customer experience.

10. Create a Standard Installation Process

Every location should follow a similar installation procedure.

A standard process may include:

1. Confirm machine quantity.

2. Verify model and machine ID.

3. Check delivery condition.

4. Confirm the planned location.

5. Verify electrical supply.

6. Position the machine.

7. Check stability.

8. Connect power.

9. Configure payment.

10. Test controls.

11. Test gameplay.

12. Load prizes where applicable.

13. Clean the machine.

14. Photograph the completed installation.

15. Record the installation date.

A standardized process makes it easier to train new staff and identify missing steps.

11. Standardize Spare Parts

One of the biggest advantages of equipment standardization is simpler spare-parts management.

If ten locations use the same joystick, button, control component, and payment configuration, the operator can maintain a common inventory.

Without standardization, the spare-parts warehouse may contain dozens of different components.

Create a parts database that records:

• Part number

• Component name

• Compatible models

• Quantity in stock

• Minimum stock level

• Supplier

• Location

• Replacement procedure

This makes emergency repairs much easier.

12. Create Standard Maintenance Procedures

Maintenance instructions should be consistent across locations.

For example, a routine claw-machine inspection can include:

• Cleaning cabinet surfaces

• Cleaning glass or acrylic

• Checking joystick response

• Checking buttons

• Checking claw movement

• Inspecting wiring

• Testing payment

• Checking lighting

• Checking locks

• Checking prize-area operation

Staff should know what to check and how often.

A standardized checklist also makes maintenance records easier to compare between locations.

13. Standardize Staff Training

Different equipment requires different levels of technical knowledge.

However, basic staff training can be standardized.

Employees should understand:

• How to start the machine

• How customers use it

• How to check payment

• How to refill prizes

• How to perform basic cleaning

• How to identify common problems

• When to contact technical support

• How to record faults

For technicians, training can go deeper into:

• Electrical inspection

• Component replacement

• Control-system troubleshooting

• Payment-system troubleshooting

• Machine configuration

Standard training reduces dependence on individual employees.

14. Use Consistent Machine Identification

Every machine should have a unique ID.

For example:

NYC-CM-001

could represent:

• NYC = location

• CM = claw machine

• 001 = machine number

Another system could use a permanent equipment ID that does not change when the machine moves.

The important point is consistency.

The machine ID should appear in:

• Equipment records

• Maintenance logs

• Revenue reports

• Spare-parts records

• Service requests

• Relocation documents

This prevents confusion when a business has many similar machines.

15. Standardize Documentation

Create a central document set for every approved machine model.

It can include:

• Product specifications

• Electrical information

• User instructions

• Installation instructions

• Maintenance checklist

• Spare-parts list

• Troubleshooting guide

• Warranty information

• Supplier contact information

• Approved operating settings

This documentation can be stored digitally so different locations can access the same version.

When a machine model is updated, the documentation should also be updated.

16. Create a Standard Supplier Process

Multi-location businesses can benefit from establishing clear supplier requirements.

Before approving a supplier, evaluate:

• Product quality

• Factory capability

• Customization

• Production capacity

• Lead time

• Packaging

• Shipping support

• Spare parts

• Warranty

• Technical support

• Communication

• Documentation

Once a supplier is approved, maintain consistent purchasing specifications.

This makes future orders easier to compare.

17. Standardize Quality Control

Quality control should not stop after the first successful order.

For repeat purchases, use the same inspection criteria.

Check:

• Cabinet construction

• Dimensions

• Surface finish

• Glass or acrylic

• Controls

• Payment system

• Lighting

• Wiring

• Gameplay

• Safety

• Branding

• Accessories

• Packaging

If a supplier delivers several batches, compare the new machines with the approved sample or specification.

This helps maintain consistency as order volume increases.

18. Allow Local Adaptation

Standardization should not prevent local optimization.

A location may need different:

• Prize types

• Game pricing

• Machine quantities

• Payment methods

• Promotional graphics

• Equipment mix

For example, the same claw machine model could be used across several locations while the prizes differ according to local customers.

This creates a useful balance:

Standardize the equipment platform.

Localize the operating strategy.

19. Standardize Pricing Rules, Not Necessarily Every Price

Pricing may vary between locations.

A high-traffic shopping mall may support a different price from a smaller retail location.

Instead of forcing every location to use exactly the same price, establish pricing rules.

For example:

• Standard price range

• Approved promotional discounts

• Special-event pricing rules

• Bundle rules

• Review period

This gives local managers flexibility while maintaining overall business control.

20. Create a Relocation Procedure

Machines may need to move between locations.

A standardized relocation process should record:

1. Original location

2. New location

3. Machine ID

4. Machine condition

5. Revenue history

6. Reason for relocation

7. Transportation requirements

8. Installation date

9. New operating settings

After relocation, compare performance before and after the move.

This can help determine whether the new location improves the machine's results.

21. Use Standard Performance Metrics

Each location should report the same core KPIs.

These may include:

• Revenue

• Plays

• Revenue per play

• Prize cost

• Prize cost ratio

• Downtime

• Maintenance events

• Revenue per machine

• Revenue per square meter

Consistent metrics allow management to compare locations more effectively.

For example, a location with higher total revenue may also have significantly more machines.

Revenue per machine may provide a more useful comparison.

22. Create an Equipment Replacement Policy

Standardization also makes replacement easier.

When an old machine reaches the end of its practical service life, the operator should know which approved model can replace it.

A replacement policy may consider:

• Machine age

• Maintenance frequency

• Downtime

• Repair cost

• Revenue performance

• Parts availability

• Appearance

• New model availability

Rather than selecting a completely different machine each time, businesses can use approved replacement models.

This maintains consistency and simplifies training.

23. Plan Standardization Before Expansion

The best time to establish equipment standards is before a business becomes difficult to manage.

If a company already has many locations, standardization can still be introduced gradually.

Start with:

1. Equipment inventory

2. Machine IDs

3. Approved models

4. Electrical specifications

5. Payment standards

6. Spare parts

7. Maintenance procedures

8. Staff training

9. Documentation

10. Performance reporting

Then gradually replace unnecessary variations.

There is no need to replace every existing machine immediately.

24. Evaluate the Cost of Standardization

Standardization itself has costs.

A business may need to:

• Purchase approved replacement components

• Create documentation

• Train staff

• Upgrade payment systems

• Replace incompatible equipment

• Maintain additional stock during the transition

Therefore, standardization should be evaluated based on long-term operational value.

If a company operates only two locations with a small number of machines, complete standardization may not provide significant benefits.

For a growing multi-location business, however, the operational savings can become much more meaningful.

25. Questions to Ask an Arcade Equipment Manufacturer

Before placing a large multi-location order, ask:

1. Can the same model be supplied consistently over multiple orders?

2. Can machine specifications be standardized?

3. Can the same payment configuration be used across multiple units?

4. Are replacement parts available for future orders?

5. Can the cabinet artwork be standardized?

6. Can electrical configurations be prepared for different markets?

7. Are manuals and technical documents available?

8. Can spare parts be supplied with bulk orders?

9. What is the warranty policy?

10. What technical support is available after delivery?

11. Can future replacement machines match the existing configuration?

12. Can OEM or ODM requirements be maintained across multiple production batches?

These questions are particularly important for distributors, chains, and operators planning continued expansion.

26. Multi-Location Standardization Checklist

Use this checklist when building an equipment standard:

27. Final Thoughts

Arcade equipment standardization becomes increasingly valuable as an entertainment business expands.

The objective is not to make every location identical. Instead, standardization should reduce unnecessary differences that make purchasing, maintenance, training, inventory, and technical support more complicated.

A strong approach usually combines:

Standard equipment + standard processes + local flexibility.

Standardize the parts that benefit from consistency:

• Machine platforms

• Electrical specifications

• Payment systems

• Branding

• Spare parts

• Maintenance

• Documentation

• Training

• Performance reporting

At the same time, allow locations to adapt their prizes, equipment quantities, layouts, and promotions to their own customers.

For businesses purchasing equipment repeatedly, working with a manufacturer that can maintain consistent specifications across different orders is particularly important.

Fanhong provides commercial arcade equipment and OEM/ODM solutions for operators, distributors, FECs, shopping malls, and other entertainment businesses. Buyers planning multiple locations can discuss standardized machine configurations, branding, payment systems, packaging, spare parts, and technical support as part of a longer-term equipment strategy.

The ultimate goal of standardization is simple: make every new location easier to open, every machine easier to manage, and every future equipment order easier to scale.