Author Topic: Working for AMF? (Read 4918 times)

SprayNpray · « **on:** November 04, 2008, 03:07:43 AM »

I am scheduled for an interview with AMF for a GM position, and I am wondering if anyone out there has experience with this company? Good to work for? I would be relocating to a new area and will be unfamiliar with the bowling community there.

I am wondering what salary can a typical AMF bowling center GM expect to earn? Haven't had much luck with online salary calculators. This would be a career change for me, though I do have 10 years experience as a GM in another field.

Any other experience or info would be interesting to me as well. Thanks!
--------------------
~SprayNpray

-formerly known as SawFreak
-official house hack
-There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

dballz · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:13:05 AM »

my mom use to work for AMF and in my opinion, they do not run a very good business. she quit and moved on to a different job. the raises never happened, you were overworked and pretty much underpaid. instead of working on trying to build a solid customer base, they raised prices, but gave nothing back in return to the bowlers.

my mom left a few years ago, so things may be a little different. for your sake, i hope they are.

good luck!!

Stormkid84 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:19:06 AM »

Which area are you moving too? J/W

I used to work for AMF and they are not bad. Pay is better than some bowling centers. Bonuses are good. I like the company I'm with now, and again I wasn't managment when I was there, but have herd good things. Good luck!
--------------------
Me: "These lanes are tight. I have 2 boards!"
My buddy with front 8: "Me too!"
Me: "Yeah, but yours both have arrows on them, and an arrow in between!"

Scolai · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:20:27 AM »

I worked for AMF for a few years. They have a pretty brutal tendency to can GMs whenever center revenues consistently fell below expectations. Somehow the local center is supposed to generate traffic without the national office providing any advertising outside of bowling industry publications.

I personally saw the firings of multiple center managers and at least one district manager in the eastern NC area.

Apologies that I sound like the harbinger of doom. Best of luck to you in your interview.
--------------------
ScolaÃ

)O(

"Get all the fools on your side, and you can be elected to anything." ~Frank Dane

Weighting On 40

Smash49 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:30:54 AM »

I think with AMF it depends on where you end up. The center in Irving Texas has averaged a new GM every 6 months for various reasons. Most of the time it was not good. On the other hand they do have a few people that have been in place for quite a while.

Smash49
--------------------
Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
www.bowlersslidesock.com
Striking Cat Bowling Pro Shop inside Chisholm Trail Bowling Lanes of Duncan Oklahoma!
www.chisholmtraillanes.com

SprayNpray · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:33:49 AM »

quote:
They have a pretty brutal tendency to can GMs whenever center revenues consistently fell below expectations.

Wow. I wonder what they think about the fact that bowling is losing participation and the fact that the economy is killing industries that depend on customers to spend discretionary income?

Not that I wouldn't expect to work at building a solid customer base (and believe I would be good at it), but some things are beyond your control.
--------------------
~SprayNpray

-formerly known as SawFreak
-official house hack
-There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

SprayNpray · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:36:47 AM »

btw this would be in the Phoenix, AZ area- I believe there are 3 openings for this position in the area.
--------------------
~SprayNpray

-formerly known as SawFreak
-official house hack
-There are no stupid questions, just stupid people.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #7 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:47:40 AM »

I used to manage (not GM) at an AMF center in the Houston, Texas area. It is true there has been a history of high GM turnover at some AMF centers. A lot of depends on the DM you have. Another reason is AMF has the tendency to hire GMs from outside the bowling industry. Not exactly sure why, but have seen it happen too many times. They sometimes don't ever understand the business enough to take advantage of what is available.

The main trouble area I saw was in payroll costs. Corporate has an anticipated payroll cost that has seem more and more unrealistic lately. Most AMF centers I have been to lately have been severly understaffed, especially since it has been for tournaments and you would expect decent support. I currently bowl in the same AMF I used to manage and it doesn't seem too bad. Aside from Hurricane Ike damage, it is in good shape but during league, there are extended periods of time with no one at the front desk.

Lastly, just because you might net $500,000+ for a couple of years, don't expect new equipment when you think you need it. AMF does renovations on a rotational basis (or at least used to) and if it isn't your turn, you won't get a thing, even if your ball returns are crap or your scoring systems require people to sit at them during league play. Just part of the business.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to pm me.
--------------------
I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com

fluff33 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:53:09 AM »

I was once told that AMF also stands for Another Manager Fired.

rockerbowler18 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 04, 2008, 11:54:18 AM »

quote:
my mom use to work for AMF and in my opinion, they do not run a very good business. she quit and moved on to a different job. the raises never happened, you were overworked and pretty much underpaid. instead of working on trying to build a solid customer base, they raised prices, but gave nothing back in return to the bowlers.

my mom left a few years ago, so things may be a little different. for your sake, i hope they are.

good luck!!

Couldn't have said it better...

If you take this and combine it with what Scolai says, it hits the nail square on the head. They can their GMs for absolutely nothing...treat them crappy, limit what they can do for the bowlers. Terrible, terrible company to work for.

For your sake, I hope you can start some process of change.
--------------------
Bakersfield, California

Robb's Pro Shops

Rev Rate: 400-450
Speed: 16-17 mph
Current Average: 236

spmcgivern · « **Reply #10 on:** November 04, 2008, 12:23:54 PM »

quote:
quote:
my mom use to work for AMF and in my opinion, they do not run a very good business. she quit and moved on to a different job. the raises never happened, you were overworked and pretty much underpaid. instead of working on trying to build a solid customer base, they raised prices, but gave nothing back in return to the bowlers.

my mom left a few years ago, so things may be a little different. for your sake, i hope they are.

good luck!!

Couldn't have said it better...

If you take this and combine it with what Scolai says, it hits the nail square on the head. They can their GMs for absolutely nothing...treat them crappy, limit what they can do for the bowlers. Terrible, terrible company to work for.

For your sake, I hope you can start some process of change.
--------------------
Bakersfield, California

Robb's Pro Shops

Rev Rate: 400-450
Speed: 16-17 mph
Current Average: 236

I understand you may have had a bad experience with an AMF center at one particular time or another, but to tell another person his choice in future employers is a "terrible, terrible company to work for" is a little harsh. Perhaps the OP wants to get into the bowling business so one day he can open his own center. Maybe the AMF centers in the Phoenix area are good centers with a District Manager that understands the ins and outs of the bowling business and also understands where the game is going. To say AMF is terrible without any support is "terrible."

Simply put, if you want to be a GM of ANYTHING, you will have to deal with the same thing: customers, bosses, and costs. As long as you can manage or work with all three, and enjoy your work, you can be successful.

Good luck SprayNpray. If you are on this forum, you will hear many good and bad things about bowling centers. Just listen to your customers, understand where your boss is coming from, and enjoy yourself. That is what I wish for you.
--------------------
I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com

Stormkid84 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 04, 2008, 12:34:01 PM »

quote:
You will be rewarded for your work to increase open play/birthday parties. If you increase your league bowling numbers you will be reprimanded and possibly fired.

You will not spend any of your time trying to increase league play or even start new leagues.

You will be asked to lie about alot of things. I know a very good head mechanic that got fired because the GM was falsifying the stops per frame sheets to make the mechanic look bad. In attempt to cut back on payroll, given the OK by the DM.

You will talk about bowling with the "suits" they will not know or understand anything your talking about. Make your life easier and increase your birthday and open play and screw your leagues over. Hell throw your leagues out. That's your best plan of attack.

Increase your bar prices and your snack bar prices. Corporate loves food sales!

Overall forget about doing anything good for the sport of bowling.

Wow...its not really that bad, at least not around here. One manager has been with 3 diferent centers ove 8 years!
--------------------
Me: "These lanes are tight. I have 2 boards!"
My buddy with front 8: "Me too!"
Me: "Yeah, but yours both have arrows on them, and an arrow in between!"

Sean John 369 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2008, 12:36:20 PM »

I worked the front desk. AMF= Always Mal-Function...I worked there a little over 2 years and went through 2 manangers...In the years Ive been in my Local Ctr I can count at least 7 managers that have come in and out of there. I am only 24 y/o..Im sure the Salary is Decent but not a place for me...Just my Opinion.
--------------------

Sean John 369 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 04, 2008, 12:38:47 PM »

AMF should be bought out by New Brunswick! We dont have them here in Northern Cali, but i have seen them in STL....
--------------------

Sean John 369 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2008, 12:46:55 PM »

quote:
You will be rewarded for your work to increase open play/birthday parties. If you increase your league bowling numbers you will be reprimanded and possibly fired.

You will not spend any of your time trying to increase league play or even start new leagues.

You will be asked to lie about alot of things. I know a very good head mechanic that got fired because the GM was falsifying the stops per frame sheets to make the mechanic look bad. In attempt to cut back on payroll, given the OK by the DM.

You will talk about bowling with the "suits" they will not know or understand anything your talking about. Make your life easier and increase your birthday and open play and screw your leagues over. Hell throw your leagues out. That's your best plan of attack.

Increase your bar prices and your snack bar prices. Corporate loves food sales!

Be prepared to lose your job at any time. There is no loyalty here and you could walk in and the DM's cousin could be the new GM. If you get a bone head of a DM, your screwed. Don't make any plans of staying in that area very long.

Since you love bowling, and want bowling to succeed your already behind the 8ball. I hope your DM is a bowling "man". If not your going to butt heads alot and sooner or later your gone. If your DM is a open/party and food person you have no shot at doing what you want to do. As soon as you increase your league bowling your going to get the can.

Don't put your future in jeopardy if you really can't withstand a short term working experience.

Overall forget about doing anything good for the sport of bowling.

Edited on 11/4/2008 1:33 PM

Edited on 11/4/2008 1:35 PM

Couldnt agree more!!!! Everything is about Birthday club and selling Fun Packs. Managers told staff in the snack bar area that there are no discounts on food for league bowlers although the little card with the bar code on it says that they were entitled to discounts. It's all about open bowling. The managers that tried to interact with leagues and build were canned.
--------------------

Author Topic: Working for AMF? (Read 4918 times)

SprayNpray

Working for AMF?

dballz

Re: Working for AMF?

Stormkid84

Re: Working for AMF?

Scolai

Re: Working for AMF?

Smash49

Re: Working for AMF?

SprayNpray

Re: Working for AMF?

SprayNpray

Re: Working for AMF?

spmcgivern

Re: Working for AMF?

fluff33

Re: Working for AMF?

rockerbowler18

Re: Working for AMF?

spmcgivern

Re: Working for AMF?

Stormkid84

Re: Working for AMF?

Sean John 369

Re: Working for AMF?

Sean John 369

Re: Working for AMF?

Sean John 369

Re: Working for AMF?