How it happened
Business owners Shannon Hammond and Danny Mehta said they retrofitted the space that Mehta owns to pivot from Countdown 2 Escape, an escape room Hammond owned with her husband, to The Game Show Experience, which opened in October 2023.
“We had become fantastic friends with Danny,” Hammond said. “About a year and a half ago, as we saw a downtrend in the escape room business, [Mehta] said, ‘I think I know the new trend—doing game shows which is really fun—can we do this together?’”
The setup
Within the three game show rooms, contestants will play The Game Show Experience’s versions of Wheel of Fortune, Family Feud, Plinko and a few mini-games as well.
Guests should plan on spending 75 minutes total at the experience, which includes 15 minutes of orientation, breaking into teams, choosing a team name, and 60 minutes of game time.
Who it's for
Group size can range from six to 16 in a studio. A full facility booking is available for larger groups. The experience is geared towards those 12 years old and older but exceptions can be made upon request.
Corporate outings, and adult and teen birthday parties comprise a high percentage of the company’s bookings.
“We’re huge about inclusivity,” Mehta said. “Anyone and everyone is welcome. We’ve had a couple of groups that are four generations—from great grandfather, to grandfather, parent and child.”
Games can be customized for groups and feature questions tailored to the contestants' interests.
The details
Game show hosts engage with contestants and create an energetic environment.
“Our game show hosts are high energy, engaging and connect with contestants,” Hammond said. “They are experts at not being the star because the contestants are the star. It's a real gift. A lot of them are improv actors.”
Quote of note
“This is a chance to get away from your electronics and do something that everyone has always dreamt of doing,” Mehta said. “Not everyone has wanted to do an escape room but everyone has always dreamt of being on a game show.”
- 6963 Main St., Frisco
- www.thegameshowexperience.com