AMF Bowling Reviews

Pros

It is a fun atmosphere to be a part of. The league bowlers can be like family. The discount is great.

Cons

Corporate and Management will stay on you. Bowling is a dying sport so they are always looking for new ways to get an edge and expect you to follow along. Corporate will always throw in something new on a monthly basis.

Advice to Senior Management

Don't expect so much out of your employees whom you are paying 8.00 and hour. Better management is the key to growth in AMF. I have heard so many horror stories about bad management in different centers.

Pros

Salary, Discounts, Employees, Customers, Benefiets, Nothing else

Cons

First off, this is a BOWLING ALLEY, not a corporate setting. The company is too much of a Bureaucracy, and not a friendly environment. It's very stressful and it really shows to the customers and league bowlers. AMF is also in denial that bowling is going the way of drive-in theaters and board games. Cool as a novelty, but not a regular activity. When teenagers think of something to do, bowling is far from the top of their list. The only thing making them any money are the league bowlers, but even those numbers are dwindling.

They try to compensate by having "specials", but they have mostly proven to be a waste, and not help at all. When you factor in the entire cost, it really isn't much of a special at all. Another downside is that management can not drink at their own center. Not even on off days.

Advice to Senior Management

Give up. Bowling is already a failing industry. It's only a matter of time before it's gone altogether.

Pros

I like working with my employees. We respect them for the hard job they do, and they do the same. Good opportunity advancement.

Cons

When it is busy, we are usually under staffed to save money for the company. It makes the employees mad and that makes everyone else mad.

Advice to Senior Management

Praise your employees for the job there doing. Listen to the employees and take some of their advice. They are actually pretty smart.

Pros

employee discounts, great regular customers, flexible work schedules,

Cons

after-school like job, no management involvement at the house level, not a career job, no room for advancement. business slow during the days

Advice to Senior Management

Be more available to employees and customers. Make your presence known and be more involved in the retail side of the business.

Pros

I truly enjoy most of my co-workers. Almost everyone works hard and we do our best to help each other out.

Cons

Management doesn't seem to care and we are almost always understaffed which upsets customers and takes away from tips. Communication doesn't seem to exist.

Advice to Senior Management

Management needs to communicate with all staff better and praise when there is a job well done. Also they need treat everyone equally and show no favortism.

Pros

It's close to home. If you're looking for a career, there is advancement. If you're looking for part-time work, it's a nice place. You only need to work 30 hours a week for benefits.

Cons

Need more employees to handle the business sometimes. Tips are not as good as they should be. Large turnover. I've been there less than a year and several people either left, were laid off or let go. The company is dollar driven and makes poor decisions that management has to put into affect.

Advice to Senior Management

Not all employees do their fair share. Management knows this and doesn't seem to address it on a consistant basis.

Pros

Fun environment, very nice staff, and opportunities of growth. You get a good discount on bowling and food. Flexible schedules, and good tips.

Cons

starting at minimum wage, can be very stressful, and demanding at times. Sometimes we have miscomunitcation with other employess, but may be different at other locations.

Pros

Flexible schedule - will work around your personal schedule.
Cross-training/variety - opportunity to work in different areas in the bowling center.
Fun - the environment is generally positive. Regular league bowlers make shifts fun and people bowling for recreational fun keep things new.

I went above and beyond my job description and was noticed for it. I was given the opportunity to work in other areas and found the roles that I liked the best. I was given the extra responsiblity I asked for and was praised for it.

Cons

Favoritism - management often played favorites.
Hours - employees always tended to be asking for more hours.
Pay - most start at minimum wage with no experience. shift leaders tend to make about $10/hr but anyone in a lower position will not make much over $9, no matter the amount of responsibilty they have.
Morale - employee morale was definitely weakened by management's extreme focus on meeting numbers. We were pressured to help meet numbers so the managers could get their bonuses, but there was no extra benefit to us except a sense of accomplishment.

Advice to Senior Management

Focus more on employees while you are trying to meet your numbers. Set up a system where employees can be rewarded when numbers are met or when they go and beyond their role. Clearly specify the expectations and responsibilties of all employee positions, especially management.

Pros

one dollar game discounts, ability to work with your hands, problem solving, responsibility, and the opportunity to work at your own pace most times.

Cons

Very noisy being a mechanic, dangerous machines with lots of moving mechanical parts which require compromising body positions to fix machine malfunctions by means of repair and replace.

Advice to Senior Management

The impression that is given from the management to the employees is that of the central importance of revenue, stringent protocol, and that being a manager at AMF is characterized by thoughtless subordination.

Pros

I've been given plenty of opportunity to advance my career with AMF. You may have to relocate to do so, but hey it's great! They offer a lot of perks. As with any management job, you have to WORK! Sometimes it's a lot, othertimes not so much. If you're a manager you have to accept your job for what it is. If you complain all the time about your job, why are you there? I love my job.

Cons

A lot of customers seem to complain just to get something free. But hey it happens at a lot of places. After all we're all PEOPLE, but some people just need to quit whining to get free stuff!

Advice to Senior Management

Listen more to your subordinates for advice, especially since we're in the field every day of the week.