OKLAHOMA CITY – A 100,000-square-foot family entertainment venue promises to bring the thrill of auto racing and hundreds of jobs to town.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games has selected The Half – the mixed-use development southeast of Broadway Extension and Britton Road – for the location of its first entertainment center in Oklahoma. The grand opening is expected in spring or summer 2025.
The company – spearheaded by racing legend Mario Andretti – has locations in Florida, Texas, Georgia and Arizona. Six more are under construction, including one in South Carolina.
“We get weekly calls from across the country and around the world,” said Eddie Hamann, the company’s managing member. So why choose Oklahoma?
“Oklahoma City is a thriving community. It’s a great community and one of the safest cities,” said Hamann, adding that Tammy Fate, director of retail development and recruitment at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, made a great pitch.
“She showed us that it would be a sound investment for the Andretti family,” he said.
The investment will be about $40 million for the facility, plus paying 350 to 400 employees a minimum hourly wage of $15, Hamann said. The company pays its people well and expects them to cater to the customers’ every need, he said.
“We’re growing so much, we want the people we hire to know there’s a runway to grow (in the company),” he said.
The Oklahoma City facility will feature high-speed electric “super-karts” on two three-level tracks with multiple elevation changes, banked turns and fast straightaways.
The entertainment center also will offer a state-of-the-art arcade, virtual reality experiences, duckpin bowling, a two-level laser tag arena, 7D Xperience motion theater and racing simulators. Visitors also will find a full restaurant, two bars and more than 6,000 square feet of event space.
“Space for corporate events is a big part of our business,” Hamann said. “And we become birthday party central when we move in.” He said Andretti’s hosts up to 70 birthday parties a week at its Orlando, Florida, location and 30 to 40 a week at other locations.
“Everyone from 8 to 80 can find something to do. It’s all family-oriented,” Hamann said. “It’s a combination of old-school entertainment with what the future looks like for these kids.”
The electric go-karts – costing $16,000 each – will travel along layers of track like a highway interchange. Pedestrian walkways will allow nondrivers to follow the action.
The speed is controlled to be appropriate for everyone from 4-year-old “mini Marios” to adults, who can race up to 35 mph, he said.
The complex will be south of Flix Brewhouse and near Chicken N Pickle at The Half. The 52-acre development also includes OneCore Health and the corporate headquarters of both Dolese Bros. and American Fidelity Assurance Co.
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games and its parking will be built on 7 to 8 acres, Hamann said. Plans call for Mario Andretti to come to Oklahoma City to attend the grand opening and meet fans.
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