Many struggling cinemas depend on sales of pricey food and drink as ticket revenue mainly goes to film studios. But does banning outside supplies really add up, asks Stuart Heritage
A long time ago, as teens, we used to go to the movies quite often. Ofc we didn’t buy the local overpriced popcorn but brought our own snacks, smuggling them, all sneaky like. One day the guy who was admitting us in was like “you should just be honest guys - no need to hide them”. Of course this was not forever but for a couple of months we could bring inanything because we were not tied by the snacks being hideable.
I mean…theaters ONLY make money on the consession stand. They basically break even on ticket sales, because of having to pay the movie studios. So if they make you bring the snacks back to your car BEFORE you go in, I get it.
But once you do go in? Once you’re in the theater? No. If I were someone NOT with those people, I’d be angered that I followed your rules, I paid my admission, I bought from your concession stand, and now MY movie theater experience is being ruined over some fucking skittles???
I’d me more angry at the employee than the kids/mom. It would cause me to find a new movie theater.
Here’s the deal. If theatres can’t survive if I don’t like their bad expensive snacks, Hollywood will have to figure something else out. Maybe they’ll have to hire the same twenty faces less often, or take a more reasonable cut, who knows. Not my problem.
No, all that happens is the movie theaters close. Back in the 90s, in my area we had what we call quarter cinemas. These were theaters that showed movies that weren’t in theaters anymore. So, older movies. Instead of $6.00 per ticket, it was $0.25, and kids under 12 were free with a paying adult.
So you could get one adult to bring 6-7 kids in, for $0.25. Problem is, nobody bought the snacks.
So now, we went from having 8-9 mega plex’s, 3 mall cinemas, and 4 quarter cinemas, to now having 2 mega plex’s, and thats it. Hollywood doesn’t care WHERE you buy your ticket. It doesn’t affect hollywood. It only affects movie goers.
People not going to the movies because there is no convenient theatre does affect Hollywood.
But action and reaction have a long delay. Don’t give up your rights just because a Hollywood exec won’t make his bonus this year. You need to cause economic pain for the problem to be fixed.
When I lived near a cinema like that, I was happy to buy its snacks and even the occasional beer. The snacks were good, and only slightly marked up. They had great taste in film, and tickets were cheap.
It was a good business model, and I supported it. Nowadays it seems they’ve moved on to higher ticket prices and more “hot” movies. I wish them luck, but I would not likely continue to support them if I was still in their area.
It’s a bad business model. The way it’s supposed to work is that bad business models die. If that’s not how it works anymore, all I can say is that projectors are affordable and you can make really good popcorn with ghee and powdered salt. A little turmeric gives it that yellow color. Enjoy.
Have you seen the TV in your living room and the snacks in your kitchen? Turns out that’s a better business model than someone else owning an extra big one far away and making you deal with their schedule and crowd.
Hollywood can do what they did during the pandemic and release everything straight to streaming. Movie theaters are not necessary any more. As a bonus, pirates get to see the best quality versions on the day of release.
I’d love to see more outdoor cinema nights instead. I grew up in an area that did those and it was amazing. I’d even step up to run it, if there was a venue.
I remember going to a drive in movie once when I was a kid. I wish those were still a thing - it was nice to have a big screen, but also some privacy from other people - but alas, technology marches on!
This is why I’m relieved that so many theatres have realized getting a liquor license is the way to go. The profit margins on canned booze sold to captive audience are insane, and then I don’t even feel slight guilt about the burgers and fries I smuggled in to munch on! They definitely make enough off the 2-3 beers I’m buying to offset the popcorn I was not going to buy regardless.
Went to a cinema experience not so long ago where you could order hot pizza and cold beer via SMS during a movie. It had a whole menu for very reasonable prices. And they delivered right to your seat.
The seats were setup so the staff could sneak through the isles without disturbing the rest of the public.
I’ve actually been lucky enough to visit 2 theaters that were basically restaurants. Instead of rows of seats it had booths and tables where the staff would come and take your order. It was typically the “2nd running” of movies (older movies that have been taken out of theaters but not yet released) and would be a double feature for under $10. Definitely was an awesome experience and I hope there still open since this seems like an answer to the whole “we have to sell food at x2 the price” problem.
If they only make money on the concession stand, then their business model is shit and they should fail. Nobody is obligated to buy that shit and there’s no reasonable grounds for policing someone’s eating.
… is it smelly food or something? if not, who cares. There’s fewer and fewer people watching movies now anyways why chase them away man … it’s so dumb.
I mean if it was my job then yeah I’d say something. It sucks you can’t bring in your own snacks but I’m not risking my job so someone can eat their own Skittles during a movie lol
If you work at a cinema (condolences), and you see someone smuggling snacks in, no you didn’t.
See what now?
Exactly
That new Vin Diesel movie. I heard it’s got explosions and shit.
A long time ago, as teens, we used to go to the movies quite often. Ofc we didn’t buy the local overpriced popcorn but brought our own snacks, smuggling them, all sneaky like. One day the guy who was admitting us in was like “you should just be honest guys - no need to hide them”. Of course this was not forever but for a couple of months we could bring inanything because we were not tied by the snacks being hideable.
Upon such bricks a world worth living in can be built.
We just take a tote bag full. If anyone says anything they have just lost our custom. Can’t stop people smuggling snacks when nobody goes
I mean…theaters ONLY make money on the consession stand. They basically break even on ticket sales, because of having to pay the movie studios. So if they make you bring the snacks back to your car BEFORE you go in, I get it.
But once you do go in? Once you’re in the theater? No. If I were someone NOT with those people, I’d be angered that I followed your rules, I paid my admission, I bought from your concession stand, and now MY movie theater experience is being ruined over some fucking skittles???
I’d me more angry at the employee than the kids/mom. It would cause me to find a new movie theater.
Here’s the deal. If theatres can’t survive if I don’t like their bad expensive snacks, Hollywood will have to figure something else out. Maybe they’ll have to hire the same twenty faces less often, or take a more reasonable cut, who knows. Not my problem.
No, all that happens is the movie theaters close. Back in the 90s, in my area we had what we call quarter cinemas. These were theaters that showed movies that weren’t in theaters anymore. So, older movies. Instead of $6.00 per ticket, it was $0.25, and kids under 12 were free with a paying adult.
So you could get one adult to bring 6-7 kids in, for $0.25. Problem is, nobody bought the snacks.
So now, we went from having 8-9 mega plex’s, 3 mall cinemas, and 4 quarter cinemas, to now having 2 mega plex’s, and thats it. Hollywood doesn’t care WHERE you buy your ticket. It doesn’t affect hollywood. It only affects movie goers.
People not going to the movies because there is no convenient theatre does affect Hollywood.
But action and reaction have a long delay. Don’t give up your rights just because a Hollywood exec won’t make his bonus this year. You need to cause economic pain for the problem to be fixed.
Will no one please think of the poor shareholders???
When I lived near a cinema like that, I was happy to buy its snacks and even the occasional beer. The snacks were good, and only slightly marked up. They had great taste in film, and tickets were cheap.
It was a good business model, and I supported it. Nowadays it seems they’ve moved on to higher ticket prices and more “hot” movies. I wish them luck, but I would not likely continue to support them if I was still in their area.
It’s a bad business model. The way it’s supposed to work is that bad business models die. If that’s not how it works anymore, all I can say is that projectors are affordable and you can make really good popcorn with ghee and powdered salt. A little turmeric gives it that yellow color. Enjoy.
Have you seen the TV in your living room and the snacks in your kitchen? Turns out that’s a better business model than someone else owning an extra big one far away and making you deal with their schedule and crowd.
Hollywood can do what they did during the pandemic and release everything straight to streaming. Movie theaters are not necessary any more. As a bonus, pirates get to see the best quality versions on the day of release.
I’d love to see more outdoor cinema nights instead. I grew up in an area that did those and it was amazing. I’d even step up to run it, if there was a venue.
I remember going to a drive in movie once when I was a kid. I wish those were still a thing - it was nice to have a big screen, but also some privacy from other people - but alas, technology marches on!
This is why I’m relieved that so many theatres have realized getting a liquor license is the way to go. The profit margins on canned booze sold to captive audience are insane, and then I don’t even feel slight guilt about the burgers and fries I smuggled in to munch on! They definitely make enough off the 2-3 beers I’m buying to offset the popcorn I was not going to buy regardless.
Went to a cinema experience not so long ago where you could order hot pizza and cold beer via SMS during a movie. It had a whole menu for very reasonable prices. And they delivered right to your seat.
The seats were setup so the staff could sneak through the isles without disturbing the rest of the public.
That sounds fucking AWESOME.
I’ve actually been lucky enough to visit 2 theaters that were basically restaurants. Instead of rows of seats it had booths and tables where the staff would come and take your order. It was typically the “2nd running” of movies (older movies that have been taken out of theaters but not yet released) and would be a double feature for under $10. Definitely was an awesome experience and I hope there still open since this seems like an answer to the whole “we have to sell food at x2 the price” problem.
If they only make money on the concession stand, then their business model is shit and they should fail. Nobody is obligated to buy that shit and there’s no reasonable grounds for policing someone’s eating.
… is it smelly food or something? if not, who cares. There’s fewer and fewer people watching movies now anyways why chase them away man … it’s so dumb.
I snuck a whole ass poke bowl in the other day. I tried to sit away from people.
Ehhh if it’s not old, it’s not gonna be smells enough for others a meter away to smell… and if it IS old, not a food idea to eat anyway hahaha
I mean if it was my job then yeah I’d say something. It sucks you can’t bring in your own snacks but I’m not risking my job so someone can eat their own Skittles during a movie lol
You could live with that?
Lmao it’s someone’s movie snacks. They’ll live
The snacks aren’t the point. Do you have like, aphantasia?
Please do explain your point.
Not that I know of