“Whatever Nerf makes, we have it,” Misho said.
The Elsayed family moved to Texas from Canada and signed the lease for the new business on Feb. 14, 2020, but then COVID-19 restrictions delayed their grand opening until June of that year.
“People were staying home; they were scared at the time of our grand opening,” Misho said. “Nobody would bring their kids anywhere.”
Misho said it was not until early 2021 that the business began to take off.
Their original business concept featured an airsoft gun battlefield with a small section designated for Nerf guns. However, they soon realized their location was not ideal for airsoft activity, and the Elsayeds’ children suggested focusing solely on Nerf guns. And that idea helped the business prosper, they said.
When Nerfies opened, the Elsayeds said franchising was not on their radar. However, they soon received multiple franchisee inquiries and recently met with a franchise consultant. That consultant forecast that Nerfies could open 15 franchise locations in the next couple of years, the Elsayeds said.
Over the last two years, the couple said they have focused a lot of energy on transforming the interior of the business to create a “jaw-dropping” first impression. The walls at the venue are decorated with glow-in-the-dark colors that help tell a story of Nerfies defending Dallas from aliens and zombies.
Misho said one of their key tenets for the business is promoting family fun.
“Here, you’re not going to take your kids to play, you’re taking your kids to play with them,” Misho said. “And you’re going to have fun. You should hear the noise of these kids when we say it’s kids versus parents. They love it.”
Nerfies
3045 W. 15th St., Plano
972-599-3333
www.nerfies.com
Hours: Fri. 4-9 p.m., Sat. noon-9 p.m., Sun. noon-8 p.m., Mon.-Thu. closed
