This is topic How Much Popcorn? in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.


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Posted by Bruce Felt (Member # 2590) on 07-29-2004, 09:37 AM:
 
I am in the process of writing a business plan for a new theater and am wondering if anyone has advice about what size and type of popcorn machine to purchase. We will have two theaters; 1 @ 300 seats and 1 @ 175 seats. We may add a third screen at a later date.

Thanks for your help
 

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Posted by R. Andrew Diercks (Member # 1725) on 07-29-2004, 09:46 AM:
 
32 oz. kettle would probably suffice. We use 2 48oz. at my current location. They keep up well in a rush, but I ran a 3 screen with a 32 and it did just fine. I had a 48 in a small town 5 screen, and we often wasted a lot on weeknights.

As for brand, I have only used Cretors, so I cannot speak on pros or cons of others.
 

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Posted by Rachel Gilardi (Member # 1016) on 07-29-2004, 10:06 AM:
 
It also depends on whether you plan to pop fresh everyday or pre-bag. But I'd agree that 32oz. would probably suit you for now. I ran a 3 screen with about 425 total seats (although we almost NEVER filled them) with a 32 oz. and we popped fresh everyday. Also consider how big the screen you are adding on would be.
 

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Posted by Ian Price (Member # 14) on 07-29-2004, 12:23 PM:
 
I have run a 5-screen with a 24oz kettle and 2 warmers. It was enough for the job if you started popping early. We upgraded to a 32oz and it is just fine. I'd by a Cretors Diplomat 32oz, oh wait a minute; I did.

[ 07-29-2004, 05:15 PM: Message edited by: Ian Price ]
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-29-2004, 12:26 PM:
 
We have a 32 oz Cretors Diplomat machine and love it. It can make far more popcorn than we need. It should work fine for your two-screen.

Get a Cretors machine. Might cost more but will pay off in the long run. And, don't pre-bag. Pop daily.
 

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Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 07-29-2004, 04:42 PM:
 
Hmmm...Thief River Falls...home of Digi-Key.
 

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Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 07-29-2004, 05:45 PM:
 
I have run several busy twins and tri-plexes using Cretors 20oz Diplomats with no problem. (Busy meaning 750 to 1200 people daily) A 32oz. would take care of a third screen FOREVER!!!

Don
 

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Posted by Bruce Felt (Member # 2590) on 07-29-2004, 08:46 PM:
 
Yes Steve, this is where it all happens, Digi-Key wise, in fact the jet full of stuff for all you electronic wizards will be leaving shortly. I wish they would sell stock, they have doubled in size TWICE in the fifteen years I have lived here.
 

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Posted by Barry Floyd (Member # 385) on 08-03-2004, 01:18 PM:
 
I've got a 32oz. Gold Medal "Pop-O-Gold" at my 250 car drive-in. We average 2.4 patrons per car, and on sold out nights, we never a have problem keeping up with the demand for corn. Great machine. I bought it brand new last May, and have never had the first bit of trouble with it.

No matter what you get, make sure it has a bag-in-box oil pump system or something equivalent. I wouldn't trade that feature on ours for anything.
 

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Posted by Jason M Miller (Member # 2597) on 08-10-2004, 10:20 PM:
 

quote:

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"It also depends on whether you plan to pop fresh everyday or pre-bag." --Rachel Gilardi

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