National Entertainment Network

In the mid-1980s, a company called Sugarloaf began placing amusement vending machines in retail locations. This simple business model laid the groundwork for what would become National Entertainment Network (NEN), a major operator of skill cranes and bulk vending machines across the United States. By focusing on providing equipment at no cost to retailers and sharing the revenue, the company created a scalable way to tap into the foot traffic of supermarkets and restaurants. The company formally became National Entertainment Network LLC in 2009 after a change in private ownership. Over the years, NEN grew to operate tens of thousands of machines, including its own Rainbow brand of skill cranes, in thousands of locations like Walmart and Kroger. This vast physical network became the company's core asset, managed by a dedicated team of route merchandisers and service technicians. A pivotal moment arrived in late 2024 when NEN was acquired by Kiddleton, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the Japan-based GENDA Group. This wasn't just a simple change of hands; it was a strategic fusion of scale and content. Kiddleton specializes in Japanese-style prize games featuring "Kawaii" (cute) designs. The acquisition allows Kiddleton to introduce its unique, high-performing Japanese content across NEN's massive 8,000-location footprint, aiming to significantly boost sales and reshape the American amusement vending landscape.