Acquiring Minds $2 Million of Fun: Big Margins in Play Centers
Aug 28, 2025
Daniel Batista, owner of Candyland Kids Downey, brings a unique perspective to business acquisition. He shares his transition from the film industry to owning an indoor playground, highlighting the high EBITDA margins and the appeal of LA demographics. Batista delves into his search for engaging business opportunities, revealing strategies for growth through character events and arcade enhancements. He also discusses the importance of effective franchising and navigating the financial aspects of acquisitions, all while ensuring a fun and safe environment for families.
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From Hollywood To Entrepreneurship
- Daniel built a career in entertainment across Universal, Warner, and Paramount before moving into digital media and startups. He later co-founded a content startup with Zoe Saldana and served as COO at Exile Content before pursuing acquisition entrepreneurship.
Prioritize Passion Over Broad Deal Flow
- Narrow one or two industries you genuinely get excited about to sustain a longer, harder search process. Accept slower deal flow if passion for the industry keeps you motivated and patient during a self-funded search.
Finding Candyland On BizBuySell
- Daniel found Candyland Downey on BizBuySell and saw clean books with tax returns matching P&Ls. The location had hit ~$900k SDE within three years and passed third-party diligence checks.
