Most of us grew up going to Sinbad but have you ever wondered what it actually takes to run a business like that?
In this episode, Sana sits down with Sidra Nadeem, the powerhouse behind Sinbad’s family entertainment centres, to unpack the business behind the fun. From the money math to managing massive teams, this conversation is equal parts nostalgic and business gold.
We explored how family entertainment centres actually make money (and where they lose it), what it really costs to set one up, and how customer loyalty data quietly drives long-term growth. Sidra breaks down why weekends are critical for survival, how she keeps Gen Z staff engaged, and what it means to lead a legacy family business in today’s fast-changing world.
Whether you’re a founder, an operator, or someone obsessed with how things really work — this one’s packed with insight.
00:00 Sidra Nadeem - CEO, Sindbad’s Wonderland02:09 The Journey of Sinbad03:31 Family Entertainment Centres vs theme parks05:59 Cost and profitability insights of family entertainment centre07:47 Planning and expansion strategies15:10 Customer loyalty and data insights19:30 Acquisition vs retention in entertainment business21:49 What’s the market potential for FECs?24:57 Business of selling joy26:23 Challenges and adaptations post COVID27:59 Home entertainment vs. location-based entertainment29:19 The rise of competitive socialising30:08 AR/VR in entertainment31:49 Why Family Entertainment Industry?33:08 Staying relevant in a changing market35:07 Challenges with hiring young talent41:45 Family business dynamics and succession48:10 Adapting to changing family structures49:45 Need for inclusive spaces in entertainment centres52:29 Relationship with money and investment strategies
Connect with:Sidra Nadeem: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidra-nadeem-b9533540/Sana Khalid: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanakay/
🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more insightful conversations on building and scaling businesses.
Stay tuned as we change the face of leadership.
