That Will Never Work #4: COVID-Friendly and Ready to Rally
Mar 2, 2021
David shares his journey of launching PingPod, an innovative on-demand table tennis experience in the bustling city of New York. With an intriguing self-service model, he details early demand and strategic location choices to maximize foot traffic. The conversation explores the economics of operating such a venture, weighing the pros and cons of franchising versus remaining company-owned. Marc suggests focusing on customer experience and flexible leasing instead of real estate investments, and highlights creative marketing strategies to attract repeat customers.
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Autonomous Table Tennis Pods Work As A Concept
- PingPod builds autonomous, staff-free table tennis pods that users book via a web app and unlock with their phone.
- The model removes labor costs and targets urban demand for non-alcohol-centered social activities.
High Demand At First Manhattan Location
- After opening in Manhattan, David reports the pod is busy from early morning into late night and even at 1–3 a.m.
- This usage shows strong urban demand for table tennis during COVID-era restrictions.
Simple Booking With Table Assignment Works
- Bookings are slot-based with an algorithm assigning tables and premium options for more space.
- Simple reservation flows mirror models like Zipcar or hotel bookings to minimize friction.