From Strip Mall Scares to a Multimillion-Dollar Horror Empire

In 2002, Stafford and partner Warren Conard launched their first venture with little more than self-funded ambition and $15 tickets. The project was immediately effective, with patrons frequently fleeing through the emergency exits. While the operation began as a modest side hustle, the 2008 financial crisis served as a catalyst for Stafford to commit to the industry full-time. He transformed those initial scares into Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, a powerhouse now commanding 18 seasonal properties, including the LA Haunted Hayride.

The company has since diversified into axe-throwing venues, escape rooms, and immersive art installations. With 80 full-time staff and a temporary workforce of 4,500 during the peak season, the group is now pivoting toward festive Christmas attractions. For Stafford, the business remains rooted in the social dynamics of terror. He notes that the value of these experiences lies in shared vulnerability, where the memory of a friend’s reaction often eclipses the spectacle itself.