TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taroko Corporation will open its first location in Katy, Texas in mid-March, with two additional locations set for Phoenix, Arizona, near TSMC’s new fabs.

At a media event on Tuesday, the company, known for indoor batting cages and bowling alleys, said it is expanding into Los Angeles and other US cities. Taroko spokesperson Hsu Chun-chi (許俊麒) said the company has committed to opening six or seven new locations in the US this year, per UDN.

Hsu said the company expects the utilization rate at US facilities to be comparable to Taiwan, though rent is approximately double and labor costs are four times as expensive. Hsu said the latter would be offset by automated equipment, with each US location expected to have higher profit margins than Taiwan.

In addition to the US market, Taroko has invested in a Japanese subsidiary with a capital of NT$44 million (US$1.4 million). Hsu said the company will target Japanese shopping malls to set up baseball-themed leisure facilities, and it has contacted owners of existing batting cages for leasing. 

Taroko said there are few Japanese batting cage chains, creating market opportunities for the company. There is no particular timetable for expansion into Japan. 

Taroko operates 10 baseball and softball batting cages, three bowling alleys, nine game centers, three roller skating rinks, and two spas across Taiwan. The company said the sales performance of batting cages is due to the popularity of baseball in Taiwan.

After Taiwan won the Premier 12 championship in November, Taroko experienced 30% year-on-year growth. 

The company said it would distribute souvenirs to shareholders via an app before a shareholders' meeting on May 26. The company increased its shareholders to over 190,000 in 2024.