How Claw Machines Are Helping East Tennessee Restaurants Make More Money (Without More Work)
If you run a restaurant anywhere in East Tennessee — whether that’s Knoxville, Maryville, Sevierville, or even down in Gatlinburg — you already know how hard it is to increase revenue without adding more stress to your team.
More staff costs money
More menu items slow things down.
More systems = more headaches.
That’s why a lot of business owners have been turning to something way simpler:
Claw machines.
And before you think “that’s just for arcades,” hear me out, because this has been working really well in restaurants, breweries, and family-friendly spots all over East Tennessee.
It’s Actually About Engagement (Not Just the Money)
What most people don’t realize is this:
Claw machines aren’t just there to make money; they change how people interact with your business.
Kids stay busy.
Parents stay longer.
Groups hang around instead of leaving right after they eat.
And when people stay longer, they:
order more
Come back more often
and talk about your place
In tourist-heavy areas like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, this effect is even stronger. Families are already looking for something fun; this just gives them one more reason to pick your location.
The Revenue Is Just a Bonus
On top of all that, the machine itself usually brings in anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars a month in gross revenue, depending on traffic.
And the important part:
You don’t have to do anything for it.
With SquareFT Entertainment:
We install the machine
We stock it
We service it
We handle collections
All you’re doing is giving up a small amount of space, usually about a square foot to 3 square feet, and collecting a percentage each month.
That’s why most owners don’t see it as “adding something new”…
They see it as:
“Why wouldn’t I do this?”
Why It Works So Well in East Tennessee
This area is honestly one of the best markets for this kind of setup.
You’ve got:
strong local communities
tons of family traffic
and constant tourism flowing through places like Sevierville and Gatlinburg
That mix is exactly what makes claw machines perform well.
The locations that do best are usually:
Family-friendly
Open most days of the week
Already busy to begin with
If you’ve got people waiting, hanging out, or bringing kids, it tends to work.
It’s Fully Hands-Off
This is the biggest reason people say yes.
There’s:
No upfront cost
No inventory to manage
No maintenance to worry about
We handle everything and typically service machines every couple of weeks so they stay clean, stocked, and running properly.
If something breaks, we fix it.
If it needs restocking, we handle it.
It’s not another thing on your plate.
Is It a Fit for Every Business?
No, and that’s actually a good thing.
This works best in places that already have:
Steady foot traffic
A family-friendly environment
Customers who stick around for a bit
If that sounds like your place, it’s worth at least looking into.
Final Thought
Most restaurant owners aren’t looking for some big, complicated way to increase revenue.
They want something simple that:
Doesn’t create more work
Doesn’t cost anything upfront
And actually adds to the customer experience
That’s exactly where claw machines fit in.
Want to See If It Makes Sense for Your Location?
If you’re in East Tennessee and want to see if your place would be a good fit, you can check out more here: