Better prepare to dig a bit deeper for that bucket of popcorn next time you head off to the pictures.
First Milk, Now Popcorn Prices Are On The Rise
- Thread starter launderess
- Start date
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Sorry - me again. Must just be a cynic.
1) Fox News - "We Report, You Decide"
What - they couldn't get away with "Fair and Balanced"
anymore? Should probably say "We Report Biased News,
You Decide"
2) "A trip to the local Cineplex may become even pricier soon thanks to surging popcorn costs."
Rigggght - an overpriced box/tub of popcorn is going to
go up in price because the price of a pound of popcorn
has gone up from 9 to 13 cents. How many pounds of
popcorn do you think are in those mega-dollar boxes/tubs?
Wait a minute while I puke.
Me - I never buy popcorn at a theater (or any of their other
price-gouging offerings.) Yes, it would be nice to have the
experience the way it used to be, but not going to contribute
to insanity. Maybe I should just not even think about
participating in the new world. Time to depart this mortal
coil. (Just what is a coil anyway - or am I remembering the
cliche incorrectly?)
1) Fox News - "We Report, You Decide"
What - they couldn't get away with "Fair and Balanced"
anymore? Should probably say "We Report Biased News,
You Decide"
2) "A trip to the local Cineplex may become even pricier soon thanks to surging popcorn costs."
Rigggght - an overpriced box/tub of popcorn is going to
go up in price because the price of a pound of popcorn
has gone up from 9 to 13 cents. How many pounds of
popcorn do you think are in those mega-dollar boxes/tubs?
Wait a minute while I puke.
Me - I never buy popcorn at a theater (or any of their other
price-gouging offerings.) Yes, it would be nice to have the
experience the way it used to be, but not going to contribute
to insanity. Maybe I should just not even think about
participating in the new world. Time to depart this mortal
coil. (Just what is a coil anyway - or am I remembering the
cliche incorrectly?)
Speaking as a theatre manager...
I agree that the increase in the cost of popcorn seed doesn't warrant any increase in our already inflated prices. It's still a fact the theatres pay 50-70% of the box office receipts to the film companies. With the rest of the receipts and concession, we pay the rent, utilities, payroll, insurances, etc.
Now I know that some locations are raking in the cash, but for every one of the more profitable theatres, there's a couple that aren't as profitable. For example, the one that I'm sitting in.
Keep in mind that in order to have things the way they used to be, we'll have to get rid of TV, video games, and computers. I might go so far as take away home air conditioning, since theatres had more patronage when they were one of the few places that were cool.
I agree that the increase in the cost of popcorn seed doesn't warrant any increase in our already inflated prices. It's still a fact the theatres pay 50-70% of the box office receipts to the film companies. With the rest of the receipts and concession, we pay the rent, utilities, payroll, insurances, etc.
Now I know that some locations are raking in the cash, but for every one of the more profitable theatres, there's a couple that aren't as profitable. For example, the one that I'm sitting in.
Keep in mind that in order to have things the way they used to be, we'll have to get rid of TV, video games, and computers. I might go so far as take away home air conditioning, since theatres had more patronage when they were one of the few places that were cool.
selectomatic
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2007
- Messages
- 483
Sad, but true.
And unfortunately, it's the 'coolest' theaters that suffer most.
-kevin
And unfortunately, it's the 'coolest' theaters that suffer most.
-kevin
Speaking of theatre refreshments... do epics set in hot, dry, desert regions induce more sales of soft drinks and iced novelties at the concession stands? Did "Lawrence of Arabia" set some sort of record for such?
Just wondering... lol...
Just wondering... lol...
There are many trends...
I haven't noticed an increase in sales during epics. If anything, sales drop because of the length of time to wait to use the restroom. The more mainstream the picture is the more concession that's sold. The art crowd is pretty restrained in their buying, same as the matinee crowd. No matter how cheap anything is, it will always be too much to them
Then again, an intermission always helps sales. It's a shame that few pictures warrant them or that the audiece would respect them if they did.
Can we ban the wearing of casual athletic clothing in public(unless doing said activities) as a society?
I haven't noticed an increase in sales during epics. If anything, sales drop because of the length of time to wait to use the restroom. The more mainstream the picture is the more concession that's sold. The art crowd is pretty restrained in their buying, same as the matinee crowd. No matter how cheap anything is, it will always be too much to them
Then again, an intermission always helps sales. It's a shame that few pictures warrant them or that the audiece would respect them if they did.
Can we ban the wearing of casual athletic clothing in public(unless doing said activities) as a society?
Paper products tend to be higher..
A case (300- or 150-count) of larger-size popcorn tubs costs more than either a 35# or 50# bag of corn or a 50# can of coconut oil.
I used to track the raw number of concession transactions vs. admission head-count, but quit 'cause it was mostly pointless to do so. IIRC, not counting repeat visits by individual customers because I had no way to do that, it was less than 50%. Maybe 44% on average.
Got a cutesie letter from WB last week, advising of their new rental policy. Weekly rental is higher of either: 1) weekly gross multiplied by the flat-rate percentage, or 2) number of admissions (passes are paid as if they're a full-price admission) multiplied by their arbitrarily-set "combined per-capita" ... meaning they no longer recognize matinee or evening child or senior citizen as discrete price points. In my case, the per-capita is $4.25. Our matinee and child/senior citizen price is $4.00. Deducting sales tax makes it $3.70 ... so the per-capita is HIGHER. I don't recall if WB's terms allow for deducting local sales tax from their per-capita ... but I'm guessing not. Even if it does, that's still higher. So we're "grossing" $3.70 on a matinee admission, but paying film rental as if it was $4.25. At 70%, that's $2.975 rental. $3.70 - $2.98 = $0.72 gross "profit" on a matinee admission.
Believe it or not, there have been rumbles in the past from film companies about taking a percentage of CONCESSION sales, on the theory that it's THEIR movie bringing the people in to buy concession, so they should get a cut from that as well .. a cut of ALL theater revenue generated by their films. I don't think it would ever happen, but who knows.....
A case (300- or 150-count) of larger-size popcorn tubs costs more than either a 35# or 50# bag of corn or a 50# can of coconut oil.
I used to track the raw number of concession transactions vs. admission head-count, but quit 'cause it was mostly pointless to do so. IIRC, not counting repeat visits by individual customers because I had no way to do that, it was less than 50%. Maybe 44% on average.
Got a cutesie letter from WB last week, advising of their new rental policy. Weekly rental is higher of either: 1) weekly gross multiplied by the flat-rate percentage, or 2) number of admissions (passes are paid as if they're a full-price admission) multiplied by their arbitrarily-set "combined per-capita" ... meaning they no longer recognize matinee or evening child or senior citizen as discrete price points. In my case, the per-capita is $4.25. Our matinee and child/senior citizen price is $4.00. Deducting sales tax makes it $3.70 ... so the per-capita is HIGHER. I don't recall if WB's terms allow for deducting local sales tax from their per-capita ... but I'm guessing not. Even if it does, that's still higher. So we're "grossing" $3.70 on a matinee admission, but paying film rental as if it was $4.25. At 70%, that's $2.975 rental. $3.70 - $2.98 = $0.72 gross "profit" on a matinee admission.
Believe it or not, there have been rumbles in the past from film companies about taking a percentage of CONCESSION sales, on the theory that it's THEIR movie bringing the people in to buy concession, so they should get a cut from that as well .. a cut of ALL theater revenue generated by their films. I don't think it would ever happen, but who knows.....
All this would'nt bother me if local movie theaters didn't have bans on persons bringing their own snacks (and yes, they do search/check), so one is pretty much forced to use their stuff.
Personally bring my own "candy" regardless and carry it either in my bag or on my person. The first theater worker that tries to bodily search ME is going to find themselves in the ER, explaining how they got their own hand/arm so far up their own hinnie.
L.
Personally bring my own "candy" regardless and carry it either in my bag or on my person. The first theater worker that tries to bodily search ME is going to find themselves in the ER, explaining how they got their own hand/arm so far up their own hinnie.
L.
LOL
I sincerely doubt that theatre staff are going to search you. That's just ridiculous, just don't be obvious. We have a sign at the ticket drop advising no outside food, but that's it. My only problem is when people carry in their leftovers and six packs of beer.
Once again common sense, that's not all that common anymore must prevail!
I sincerely doubt that theatre staff are going to search you. That's just ridiculous, just don't be obvious. We have a sign at the ticket drop advising no outside food, but that's it. My only problem is when people carry in their leftovers and six packs of beer.
Once again common sense, that's not all that common anymore must prevail!
Popcorn prices
I'm glad popcorn prices and milk prices are on the rise. Have you ever stopped to think of the poor hardworking farmer whose crop prices have remained relatively flat while all other overhead costs have risen so steeply, (All petrol products, along with labor, taxes, insurance). Take time to appreciate how cheap U.S. food really is compared to foreign domestic food prices.
-A little spiel from an Agriculture major, hehe
I'm glad popcorn prices and milk prices are on the rise. Have you ever stopped to think of the poor hardworking farmer whose crop prices have remained relatively flat while all other overhead costs have risen so steeply, (All petrol products, along with labor, taxes, insurance). Take time to appreciate how cheap U.S. food really is compared to foreign domestic food prices.
-A little spiel from an Agriculture major, hehe
As a theatre manager who makes nearly 50% of his take home pay on concession commissions, yes its time to increase ALL concession prices. Its HARD to get a pay salary increase in this business, last one I had was 6 years ago, so ANY increase in the commission off of concessions is looked upon by the higher ups as a pay raise.
And strick enforcement on NO outside food or drinks.
Do I feel bad about passing the buck? Err no.
And strick enforcement on NO outside food or drinks.
Do I feel bad about passing the buck? Err no.
Seems to me the "fault" lies with the film company. Or maybe
it goes back further in the change, but if the film companies
weren't jacking up the prices to the theatre owners and the
film companies didn't release their movies on DVD within 60
days (tongue-in-cheek exaggeration?), then maybe more people
would go to movies. But there is also the problem of the
competition for the entertainment dollar. In the past, where
did you go on a date? What did the kids do for entertainment?
Other than bowling, kids didn't have to pay to play sports
on the neighborhood playground. Of course, the adult admission
for sporting events (alternate entertainment) ain't cheap
now. Guess I just don't have a clue. All I know is I used to
get popcorn and candy at movies - no more.
it goes back further in the change, but if the film companies
weren't jacking up the prices to the theatre owners and the
film companies didn't release their movies on DVD within 60
days (tongue-in-cheek exaggeration?), then maybe more people
would go to movies. But there is also the problem of the
competition for the entertainment dollar. In the past, where
did you go on a date? What did the kids do for entertainment?
Other than bowling, kids didn't have to pay to play sports
on the neighborhood playground. Of course, the adult admission
for sporting events (alternate entertainment) ain't cheap
now. Guess I just don't have a clue. All I know is I used to
get popcorn and candy at movies - no more.
Society as a whole has changed. Going to the movies used to be a regular event for a greater part of society. TV started changing that, then cable TV, then video, and now computers. I am sure I missed a few changes, but you see what I mean.
Film rental used to be a set amount per week. Film used to play at a very limited number of screens per city. That was also when the stars were making a good, but realistic wage. Don't forget there were high-tech special effects and most films were in mono and in non-stadium seated auditoriums. There were even lines outside the door to get in and usually scarce parking. Oh wait, people rode the bus and street cars.
My point is that you can't just have lower concession prices without changing other factors.
Film rental used to be a set amount per week. Film used to play at a very limited number of screens per city. That was also when the stars were making a good, but realistic wage. Don't forget there were high-tech special effects and most films were in mono and in non-stadium seated auditoriums. There were even lines outside the door to get in and usually scarce parking. Oh wait, people rode the bus and street cars.
My point is that you can't just have lower concession prices without changing other factors.
Now I know that some locations are raking in the cash, but for every one of the more profitable theatres, there's a couple that aren't as profitable. For example, the one that I'm sitting in.
What do you think makes a profitable theatre? Is it just
location? Lack of nearby competition? Sound system, seating,
number of screens, parking?
Assuming they are also paying a percentage of receipts to the
film companies, then they have an advantage of some sort. If
rental was on a weekly basis, would they just be making more
money now - assuming weekly rental was priced low enough to
allow smaller/other theatres to make a profit.
What do you think makes a profitable theatre? Is it just
location? Lack of nearby competition? Sound system, seating,
number of screens, parking?
Assuming they are also paying a percentage of receipts to the
film companies, then they have an advantage of some sort. If
rental was on a weekly basis, would they just be making more
money now - assuming weekly rental was priced low enough to
allow smaller/other theatres to make a profit.
The whole concession issue is one of the reasons why I prefer to buy a DVD of a recent movie and watch it at home. For particularly interesting movies I can watch it multiple times, pause it, replay sequences, get closed captions, etc. What is missing is the audience group experience, and the dating possibilities, but that's sometimes a good thing ;-).
Sometimes I wonder if it's cheaper to book a bargain round trip flight somewhere and watch the in-flight movie. LOL.
Sometimes I wonder if it's cheaper to book a bargain round trip flight somewhere and watch the in-flight movie. LOL.
Film rental is always paid weekly. It's normally figured two ways, with the higher amount being paid (film distributor advantage) --
1) Gross admission total (less local sales tax) for the week multiplied by a percentage rate set by the exhibition contract.
vs.
2) Gross admission total, less a "house allowance" granted to the theater, with the remainder multiplied by 90%. (Theater gets 10% after house allowance.)
Typically the percentage rate starts at 70% for the first week or two, then drops by 10% per week to a minimum of 35% (in some cases 30%). There are exceptions. A "blockbuster" may by billed at 70%, 70%, 60%, 60%, 50%, 50%, 40%, 35%. The film may not run long enough to get to the lower percentages. If it only runs three weeks, then the theater pays 70%, 70%, 60%. Or perhaps 70%, 60%, 50%.
There are exceptions. Some distributors have started billing a fixed percentage such as 54% for all weeks.
Some films are billed on a "floating percentage" scheme, meaning the highest percentages apply to the highest grossing weeks, regardless of calendar order.
In most cases the weekly payment are considered to be "on account" until the final terms are settled. It's not unusual to get a bill for more rental due several months after a film has closed, with payment demanded *yesterday*. On the other hand, in the rare case of an overpayment, it may take 6, 9 months or up to a YEAR for the distributor to crank out a credit notice.
Disney came up with a new scheme for the last Pirates of the Caribbean. A sliding scale ranging from 45% to 62% depending on what is the *total* reported domestic gross earned during the film's run. In other words, theaters do not know what will be the final bill until ALL theaters across the U.S. have finished their runs and the prints are pulled from distribution.
Old material that's still available for theater run, such as what may be shown for $1 summer kid shows, are typically billed at a flat $-amount per week. As an example, last week we ran Open Season for the Wednesday $1 summer kid show. It sold 223 admissions. Deducting the included 8.25% local sales tax on admissions, the net gross is $206. Sony's flat-rate for it was $200. Thus the net "profit" was $6.00. Concession makes up the difference in operational costs ... hopefully!
There's also the matter of advance and guarantee payments ... but this post is already too long.
1) Gross admission total (less local sales tax) for the week multiplied by a percentage rate set by the exhibition contract.
vs.
2) Gross admission total, less a "house allowance" granted to the theater, with the remainder multiplied by 90%. (Theater gets 10% after house allowance.)
Typically the percentage rate starts at 70% for the first week or two, then drops by 10% per week to a minimum of 35% (in some cases 30%). There are exceptions. A "blockbuster" may by billed at 70%, 70%, 60%, 60%, 50%, 50%, 40%, 35%. The film may not run long enough to get to the lower percentages. If it only runs three weeks, then the theater pays 70%, 70%, 60%. Or perhaps 70%, 60%, 50%.
There are exceptions. Some distributors have started billing a fixed percentage such as 54% for all weeks.
Some films are billed on a "floating percentage" scheme, meaning the highest percentages apply to the highest grossing weeks, regardless of calendar order.
In most cases the weekly payment are considered to be "on account" until the final terms are settled. It's not unusual to get a bill for more rental due several months after a film has closed, with payment demanded *yesterday*. On the other hand, in the rare case of an overpayment, it may take 6, 9 months or up to a YEAR for the distributor to crank out a credit notice.
Disney came up with a new scheme for the last Pirates of the Caribbean. A sliding scale ranging from 45% to 62% depending on what is the *total* reported domestic gross earned during the film's run. In other words, theaters do not know what will be the final bill until ALL theaters across the U.S. have finished their runs and the prints are pulled from distribution.
Old material that's still available for theater run, such as what may be shown for $1 summer kid shows, are typically billed at a flat $-amount per week. As an example, last week we ran Open Season for the Wednesday $1 summer kid show. It sold 223 admissions. Deducting the included 8.25% local sales tax on admissions, the net gross is $206. Sony's flat-rate for it was $200. Thus the net "profit" was $6.00. Concession makes up the difference in operational costs ... hopefully!
There's also the matter of advance and guarantee payments ... but this post is already too long.
There're also cases like the aforementioned Warner Bros scheme of the distributor setting an arbitrary per-capita amount on which rental is calculated ... regardless of what the theater actually charges. The per-capita amount varies per the local markets. A theater in NYC would be socked with a higher per-capita than a little one-horse town in TX. In all cases the advantage is to the distributor.
Basically, theaters work for themselves on selling concession, but for the distributors on selling admissions.
With the boon in home theater setups, DVDs, and now hi-def, the ONLY thing keeping people coming to theaters IMO is 1) the group experience (which isn't always pleasant), and 2) the urge to see the movies ASAP (for those who have that urge, and as long as theater releases trump DVD release dates).
Basically, theaters work for themselves on selling concession, but for the distributors on selling admissions.
With the boon in home theater setups, DVDs, and now hi-def, the ONLY thing keeping people coming to theaters IMO is 1) the group experience (which isn't always pleasant), and 2) the urge to see the movies ASAP (for those who have that urge, and as long as theater releases trump DVD release dates).
Yew! What a complicated mess. If you are one in the business
and have experience on this film rental nightmare, has it always
been this tough? (I would think not since there seemed to be
no problem way back when.)
Too bad theatres can't just boycott the film companies until
they came up with something that seems more fair. Though
$200 doesn't seem like much to rent a real/reel movie. With
the low attendance and the low price, it makes it difficult.
Any idea how much film rental (prices) might have been back
in the 60's?
and have experience on this film rental nightmare, has it always
been this tough? (I would think not since there seemed to be
no problem way back when.)
Too bad theatres can't just boycott the film companies until
they came up with something that seems more fair. Though
$200 doesn't seem like much to rent a real/reel movie. With
the low attendance and the low price, it makes it difficult.
Any idea how much film rental (prices) might have been back
in the 60's?
