Founded in 2024 by Jon Nelsen, Cheap Trivia was born from a desire to provide bars, restaurants, and cafes with an affordable trivia solution that boosts customer engagement and increases revenue. After years of working in nearly every aspect of the restaurant industry—from serving and managing teams to marketing—Jon gained a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by business owners. His experience as a marketing director gave him the insight into how establishments can better engage customers, drive repeat business, and thrive even on slower nights.

Recognizing that weeknights can be a challenge for many venues, Jon developed Cheap Trivia as a turnkey trivia system designed to help businesses turn slow evenings into lively, profitable events. Our trivia nights are fun, engaging, and easy to implement, providing a simple solution for businesses looking to attract new customers and keep regulars coming back. With years of experience in the food and hospitality industry, Jon and his team understand the value of a well-executed trivia night in fostering community and boosting foot traffic.

The inspiration for Cheap Trivia came during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which drastically impacted the hospitality industry. Jon saw firsthand how restaurants and bars were struggling not just to reopen, but to bring back patrons and recover revenue. Businesses needed more than just a reopening strategy—they needed a way to thrive in a post-pandemic landscape, particularly on their slowest nights. This realization motivated Jon to create an affordable, owner-operated trivia solution that could help bars and restaurants succeed year-round, regardless of the day of the week.