Game-Changing Ways to Make Your Family Entertainment Business Soar

The CEO Project Podcast

What if your childhood love for roller coasters could lead you to build a national empire of amusement parks?

If you're leading a business—or dreaming of scaling one—you’ll want to hear how John Dunlap, CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions, turned a hospitality background and a Six Sigma mindset into a high-growth, family-focused entertainment powerhouse. In a post-COVID world with rising labor costs and shifting consumer demands, John shares real-world strategies for thriving in a category many thought was on the decline.

Here’s what you’ll get from this episode:

• A playbook for balancing operational excellence with guest experience, including how Six Sigma translates to human-centered businesses.

• The secrets behind scaling through acquisition and development, especially in a fragmented market ripe for consolidation.

• How to compete with big-name parks by delivering affordable, high-value local experiences that build loyalty (and beat the weather).

Hit play now to learn how John turned a childhood game into a national strategy—and how you can apply the same principles to scale your own business with purpose.

Check out:

[09:32] – From Starwood to San Diego Zoo: The Unlikely Career Pivot

John shares how a Six Sigma background in hospitality led him to a surprising call from the San Diego Zoo—and how that jump-started his journey into the world of theme parks and cultural attractions.

[26:47] – Solving Seasonality: Why Indoor Parks Became a Strategic Hedge

Discover how John and his team countered brutal off-seasons by acquiring massive indoor entertainment centers—and what that did for cash flow, customer base, and geographic reach.

[52:10] – Wristbands, VIP Packages, and the Art of Bundling for Value

John breaks down their evolving pricing strategy, including how “best value” and “best experience” bundles are designed to fight inflation, increase revenue, and give families more reason to return.

About John Dunlap

John Dunlap is the CEO of Five Star Parks & Attractions, a rapidly expanding family entertainment company. Since taking on the role in January 2022, he has led the company's growth from three locations to 27 across 13 states. With a background in amusement and hospitality leadership, John has held executive positions at SeaWorld & Sesame Place in California, Iconic Attractions Group, and the San Diego Zoo. He holds degrees from the University of Virginia and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, along with executive certifications from Cornell University. Based in Charlotte, NC, John is passionate about creating memorable guest experiences and fostering a culture of innovation in the industry.