1957: "Inside XP Factory: Strategies and Successes in Experiential Leisure

The Vox Markets Podcast

Watch on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG2hdHzawl8
Richard Harpham and Graham Bird of XP Factory discuss the company’s evolution since 2018, transforming niche escape rooms into mainstream attractions. They detail the acquisition of Boom Battle Bar, financial growth, customer satisfaction, and future expansion plans, emphasising cost management and potential UK and international opportunities.
00:17 What was your initial vision for Escape Hunt?
01:35 How did that then lead to the acquisition for Boom
04:59 In 2019/20, turnover was under £5M—how did it hit £60M by March 2024?
07:46 Your growth has been phenomenal, but does that align with your original vision?
10:50 Is the business in a position to keep growing?
14:56 How are Escape Hunt and Boom performing?
18:37 How confident you both you can achieve and maintain the like for likes?
19:41 Have you seen the business growth, and the downside of, that is the cost go up. How are you managing those costs? What kind of effects are they having?
23:40 There's a lot of uncertainty. In a few weeks time, our new leader is going to announce the latest budget. Are you concerned about this?
27:10 How are you going to utilise the 10 million facility at Barclays and, what sort of growth are you looking at?
29:20 You mentioned earlier about places like Dubai—how do you see that in comparison to the alcohol-driven culture in the UK?
31:51 What do you think the business will look like in 5 years?
36:50 Competitive socialising
39:30 Why would somebody invest in XP Factory
42:36 Which is going to see more focus, Escape Hunt, or Boom?