Ep. 125 - Crafting a Culture of Service at Uptown Alley, AAMA FEC of the Year Finalist, with Chris Barton

Ep. 125 - Crafting a Culture of Service at Uptown Alley, AAMA FEC of the Year Finalist, with Chris Barton

From Memory Makers Podcast by Creative Works

February 18, 2026 · 24 min

About this episode

Chris Barton discusses the evolution of Uptown Alley and the importance of service in creating memorable guest experiences.

On this special edition of the Memory Makers Podcast, Russ continues our special 4-part series featuring the finalists for the American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) FEC of the Year award! We are joined next by Chris Barton, Assistant General Manager of Uptown Alley in Surprise, Arizona. Chris shares how this 60,000-square-foot powerhouse has evolved from a bowling-centric hub into a diverse entertainment destination. "The biggest thing that I believe sets us apart is service. I want my team to be able to tell me: What did you do today that the guest is going to remember tomorrow?" — Chris Barton, Uptown Alley We dive deep into the "entertainment arms race," the importance of scratch-kitchen dining, and why "hiring the person, not the resume" is the secret sauce to creating unforgettable guest memories. Whether you’re curious about navigating tech trends or building community ties, Chris offers a masterclass in staying relevant through humility and extreme ownership.

People in this episode

Host: Russ

Guest: Chris Barton

Topics covered

  • service culture
  • entertainment industry
  • community building
  • guest experience
  • hiring practices

Keywords

  • Uptown Alley
  • AAMA FEC of the Year
  • service
  • entertainment
  • hiring
  • guest memories
  • community

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American Amusement Machine Association

Places: Uptown Alley, Surprise, Arizona

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