Meet Danté Valor of ParTee Shack

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danté Valor.

Danté, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
ParTee Shack started as a different kind of mini golf experience — mini golf like you’ve never seen before. Instead of just putting through traditional obstacles, players face off in mini-games like foosball, shuffleboard, cornhole, disc golf, basketball shots, and even a zipline right on the course.

The first ParTee Shack opened in South Raleigh on March 27, 2021. From there, the brand quickly gained momentum, opening ParTee Shack – Greensboro on May 11, 2023, and ParTee Shack – North Raleigh on April 24, 2025. Our next expansion, ParTee Shack – Charleston, is slated for early 2026.

I joined the company in early 2023 after a decade in marketing and communications leadership roles and earning two master’s degrees. During my interview process, I immediately saw the potential: two owners who had built something truly unique, doing most of the heavy lifting themselves, with a company that had an incredible product — but very little focus on branding or marketing. It was clear that with the right strategy, ParTee Shack could grow far beyond just a few local venues.

At the time, we had one location, no real brand identity, and an Instagram following of about 3,000. Fast forward to today: we’ve expanded into multiple locations, grown our Instagram following to over 120,000, and gained national attention — including opportunities I can’t even publicly disclose yet. We’ve also had customers flying in from across the country just to experience ParTee Shack firsthand.

One of my first major initiatives was rebranding. Too many family entertainment centers fall into the trap of marketing solely to families with young kids, unintentionally alienating adults, young professionals, and corporate groups — who not only represent a bigger market, but also drive significantly higher revenue. We diversified our messaging and visuals to make it clear: ParTee Shack is fun for all ages. This broader appeal opened the door to everything from birthday parties to corporate events, boosting revenue at adult price points while still being a family destination.

Marketing became the engine of our growth. Originally, the plan was maybe one or two more locations — but once we saw the viral momentum and the demand we were creating, the vision expanded. Our latest location in North Raleigh represents the next evolution of the brand, with a major focus on the “challenge” aspects of mini golf and an elevated design and operations model.

We’ve since added a distribution center out of Greensboro, are in the process of establishing a headquarters office in Raleigh, and are launching a new brand called Battle & Birdie this summer — featuring neon-lit mini golf alongside two tactical laser tag arenas designed to compete with the best at places like Universal Studios.

At the heart of it all, ParTee Shack stays true to what made it special from the beginning: unforgettable mini golf, real competition, unique attractions, and experiences that make people say, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.” And we’re just getting started.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any fast-growing business, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride. One of the biggest challenges early on was changing public perception. Mini golf often gets written off as a kids-only activity, so we had to work hard to position ParTee Shack as a destination for adults, young professionals, corporate groups, and families alike. That shift took a lot of strategic marketing, new branding, and rethinking everything from design to pricing.

Scaling a business like this is never simple. Growing from one location to multiple while maintaining quality, customer experience, and brand identity takes constant adjustment. We’ve also learned that not every market responds the same way to every attraction, so we’re always refining what we offer to best fit each location.

The road hasn’t been without its bumps, but every challenge has made us smarter, stronger, and more focused on what makes ParTee Shack special.

We’ve been impressed with ParTee Shack, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ParTee Shack is not your average family entertainment center. We specialize in delivering unique, high-energy experiences that blend competitive fun with unexpected twists. Our crown jewel is our one-of-a-kind mini golf, where every course is designed with built-in challenges — from foosball and cornhole to basketball shots and even a zipline. No two locations are alike, and every venue has a mix of additional attractions like go-karts, duckpin bowling, VR laser tag, and soon, escape rooms and tactical laser tag.

What truly sets us apart is how we’ve redefined what “family entertainment” means. While many in our industry market exclusively to families with young kids, we’ve built a brand that appeals to everyone — adults, corporate groups, young professionals, and families alike. Our marketing reflects that. You won’t just see kids in our ads. You’ll see 30th birthday parties, staff outings, date nights, and yes, plenty of families too.

We’re proud to say that people now fly in from across the country just to experience what we offer. Our social media following has exploded, and so has our national visibility. Even some major brands and TV opportunities have taken notice.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how we’ve positioned ParTee Shack as not just a place to play, but a place to connect, compete, and create unforgettable memories — whether you’re 8 or 48. We’ve built a brand that feels fresh, inclusive, and full of energy.

Looking ahead, we’re continuing to expand across the Southeast with new locations and the launch of our second brand, Battle & Birdie, which will combine neon-lit mini golf with world-class tactical laser tag arenas. We’re not just growing for growth’s sake — we’re raising the bar for what entertainment centers can be.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people are surprised to learn that when I joined ParTee Shack, we didn’t have a marketing department at all — not even a basic brand strategy. The owners were handling most of it themselves while running day-to-day operations. What people see now — a multi-location entertainment brand with national visibility and over 120,000 social media followers — was built almost entirely from scratch over the last two years.

On a personal note, people are often surprised to find out I have a background in the arts and theatre. Before stepping into the marketing world, I was also a performer, which probably explains why I’m so passionate about creating experiences that are interactive, memorable, and just a little theatrical.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://parteeshack.com
• Instagram: @parteeshack
• Facebook: @parteeshack