The Lost Outpost
A Tiki Pop-Up Bar
Project Details
Client:
Legendary Entertainment Group
Location:
Westland, MI
Year Completed:
2025
Category:
Hospitality
A revenue-driven seasonal overlay designed to transform underperforming summer months into a high-margin, hospitality-led experience.
Project Overview
The Lost Outpost is a fully immersive, island-inspired tiki pop-up experience developed and operated by Bailey Design & Entertainment. Built as a seasonal overlay within an existing venue, the concept combines cinematic scenic design, narrative-driven environments, and a high-performance food and beverage program.
Originally launched to address slower summer months, The Lost Outpost reimagines the venue as a vibrant, escapist destination—driving increased guest engagement, longer dwell times, and significantly higher per capita spending.
THE CHALLENGE
Summer operations historically relied heavily on axe throwing, with limited engagement in food and beverage. This resulted in:
- Lower overall per capita spending
- Minimal food participation
- Underdeveloped beverage program
- High food cost percentages
- No premium or reservable guest experiences
The objective was to rebuild the business model for summer, shifting from activity-based revenue to a hospitality-driven experience.
OUR APPROACH
Bailey Design & Entertainment led the full creative and operational transformation of the space:
- Concept & Story Development
Created “The Lost Outpost,” an abandoned island expedition base with layered storytelling and environmental immersion. - Scenic & Environmental Design
Fully re-themed the venue using scenic builds, props, lighting, and atmospheric effects to create a cinematic tropical outpost. - Food & Beverage Program Overhaul
Introduced a tiki-inspired menu focused on:- High-margin specialty cocktails
- Shareable, craveable food items
- Simplified execution for speed and consistency
- Revenue Layering Strategy
Added and optimized:- Premium suite rentals
- Private events
- Expanded bar program
- Operational Optimization
Implemented batching, streamlined prep, and strategic menu engineering to improve margins and throughput.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Revenue Mix Shift
The introduction of The Lost Outpost fundamentally changed how the business generated revenue:
- Food & Beverage increased from ~51% to ~79% of total revenue
- Cocktails & liquor grew from ~25% to ~47% of total revenue
- Axe throwing decreased from ~36% to ~22%, reflecting a successful shift to hospitality-driven revenue
- New revenue streams (suites + private events) contributed ~11% of total revenue
Food & Beverage Growth
The new concept dramatically increased both participation and spend:
- Food & non-alcoholic beverage revenue increased by over 330%
- Cocktail & liquor revenue increased by over 475%
- Beer & wine revenue more than doubled
This growth was driven by intentional menu design, strong visual presentation, and a focus on high-margin beverage offerings.
OPERATION EFFICIENCY
Beyond revenue growth, The Lost Outpost significantly improved cost structure and profitability:
- Food COGS reduced from 58% → 26%
- Cocktails & liquor maintained at ~17% COGS
- Beer & wine COGS improved from 70% → 45%
These improvements were achieved through simplified menu design, better product selection, and efficient batching systems.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Lost Outpost demonstrates how a seasonal immersive overlay can transform an existing venue’s performance:
- Converts slower seasons into high-revenue operating periods
- Shifts business models toward hospitality-driven income
- Increases per capita spending through beverage-first strategy
- Introduces scalable premium and experiential revenue streams
- Improves operational efficiency and cost control
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR PARTNERS
The Lost Outpost is a proven model for operators looking to unlock new revenue from existing spaces.
By combining immersive design with a strategic hospitality approach, Bailey Design & Entertainment delivers experiences that not only attract guests—but drive measurable financial performance.
