X-Golf has appointed a head of business development to lead the indoor golf simulator business through the next step in the evolution of the brand and has set a 100-venue target for the next five years.
Ben Hatten takes on the newly-created role, and will oversee both franchise growth and the development of private simulator sales.
Hatten has moved to the leisure and entertainment business from a spell leading franchise recruitment at BDC Partners, a new venture he joined after leaving Retail Food Group.
He was with the multi-brand food franchisor for more than three years, including roles as head of leasing, national account manager and national sales manager.
Hatten told Inside Franchise Business Executive the golf simulator business is on a roll, with Queensland and Western Australia the current hot spots.
“Sales are going really well. We’ve opened up X-Golf in WA, it’s doing record weekly numbers; Cairns is going really well. We are opening up in Toowoomba, North Lakes and Townsville.
“On the franchise side we are struggling to keep up with leads coming in, the difficulty is finding sites,” Hatten said.
“We want in the next two years to get one a month on the ground, based on continual review and analysis to see if that’s the right number,” he said.
“It’s not about rapid growth but strong organic growth with the right procedures in place. Franchise partners are at the core of the business, we’re very ethical about who and how we onboard, and site selection.”
The business began franchising in 2016, has 13 franchises operating in Australia and has opened up a second venue in New Zealand with further expansion planned there and in other international markets.
“People have identified indoor entertainment trend is on the up and this is replicated in markets globally,” Hatten said. “Interest in virtual sports and simulators, is exploding.”
Designed and originated in Korea, X-Golf simulates a game of golf, provides coaching tips, and allows players to tee off on courses from around the world and join golf leagues.
