Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: AMC bans outside food and drink...

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Posted by Benjamin Putman (Member # 5023) on 12-04-2009, 10:11 PM:

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2009/12/01/AMC-theaters-ban-outside-food/UPI-27651259700766/

Does anyone allow outside food and drink?

That explains why the local AMC always smells like fast food.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-04-2009, 11:27 PM:

UA and many other chains have banned outside food for many years. This is nothing new.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-04-2009, 11:33 PM:

Yeah but it is new for AMC. Personally, I was surprised at the policy after having gotten it pretty much ingrained in our customer base that food was verboten. Then again, I'd never been to an AMC before I became part of them from the merger.

Posted by Mike Croaro (Member # 3123) on 12-04-2009, 11:59 PM:

Folks:

I never knew that ANY theatres permitted outside food. Next time I visit Century I'll have to bring a large pizza with me [Big Grin]

.

Mike

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-05-2009, 12:48 AM:

Why they don't allow outside food and drink is for insurance/liabiliy reasons:

You bring that pizza in the house and you forget to take your drippings out to the trashcan when you leave. Some senior citizen, or little kid will step on the drippings that you leave and crack his butt on the floor when he slips on that stuff.

He files a insurance claim to the cinema company, in which the insurance writers for that cinema has put a clause in the contracts that any food or beverage that isn't sold at the concessions stand, that patron WILL NOT be covered by the liabilty coverage since he cracked his butt on the floor due to the products not being sold at the concessions stand of that cinema venue.

Then that patron will file a lawsuit and put the cinema in major debt for out of court settlements, or that cinema has a new owner.

BUT, if he cracks his butt on products bought at the concessions stand that was left on the floor, then the insurance coverage is in effect and all is good.

(This also pertains to people coming in with bare feet - if that patron cuts his foot on anything in that location, good luck in insurance coverage...Shirts and Shoes required...)

This is basically why, theatre checks are to be done, checks at the door for outside food or drink-anything that can put that cinema in jepardy to protect them from any liability issues.

For example: many moons ago when I was working at a 4screen venue under a large California company, a woman did crack her butt on the floor due to someone leaving a "Big Mac" on the floor left by a customer who snuck it in and wasn't checked. That woman won a 6 digit out of court settlement. The manager was suspended for two weeks and warned next time to look for another job if this occurance happens again.

-Monte

Posted by Mike Olpin (Member # 1115) on 12-05-2009, 10:34 AM:

AMC had allowed this? I find that hard to believe. In fact I'm pretty sure the assholes at the old Century City location told me I couldn't bring in my soda a few years ago.

They thankfully tore down that crummy theater and built a new one.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 12-05-2009, 10:54 AM:

I, too, am surprised AMC allowed any outside food or drinks in the theater in the past. I thought all movie theaters banned outside food and drinks.

Is AMC still stuffing the surround speakers up in the ceiling with their new theaters? I really HATE surround speakers up in the ceiling. It earns an instant grade "F" from me on sound quality. Maybe this is why they're having to ban outside food and drinks. Some patrons may be throwing their slushies and pizza slices at the ceiling tiles in anger.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-05-2009, 11:11 AM:

quote: Mike Olpin
AMC had allowed this? I find that hard to believe.

I worked for AMC and they absolutely allowed it. Hence, why I'd been surprised by the policy when I was part of the Loews-Cineplex merger.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-05-2009, 11:47 AM:

I doubt that insurance considerations play any part in it. Our insurance coverage doesn't exclude anything accept acts of god and overt owner negligence. Why would anyone buy insurance that didn't cover any and all accidents in the theatre? I never heard of an exclusionary clause because of outside food. That doesn't mean, there isn't, it's just that would be one weak and cheap policy.

This is not brain surgury -- AMC finally discovered what every other theatre in the world already knows: if you allow outside food, that's food they aren't BUYING AT YOUR CONCESSIONS. It's all about $$$ and profit margins and per capita concession sales.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 12-05-2009, 02:39 PM:

Yeah, there was an article a number of years ago in the local paper about food being brought in to theatres, and the local AMC manager said while they don't advertise it, they did allow it. Their stated reason was that they don't have all the foods people might want to eat during the movie (hamburgers, etc), and they didn't want to be in a position of losing a ticket sale for patrons wanting to do it.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-05-2009, 04:31 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
Is AMC still stuffing the surround speakers up in the ceiling with their new theaters? I really HATE surround speakers up in the ceiling. It earns an instant grade "F" from me on sound quality.

No, they are designed much better now.

Posted by Robert E. Allen (Member # 1351) on 12-05-2009, 04:48 PM:

I remember when I was working as an assistant Manager for Regal in the state of Washington as I relieved an usher/ticket-taker a couple came through wearing think hunting vests on a very warm day. I was convinced the vests were thinker than normal because they had stuffed them with food. I let them pass.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 12-05-2009, 05:20 PM:

I think if theatre concession prices were more reasonable people would not try to sneak food into a theatre like I did once in a backpack a few years ago . I used to spend a lot of money at concession stands but when they stopped selling popcorn in a small bag, a hot dog and a soda for just a little over five dollars, I stopped buying and saw my movies without any snack. This is the reason it is such a joy to watch movies at home on Blu-Ray and get to eat different kinds of things every night instead of Popcorn, hotdog and sodas.

-Claude

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-05-2009, 08:40 PM:

I'd like to see a survey asking people just what they DO think is a reasonable price for a soda and a bucket of popcorn. Our prices here are about 40% less than what a large city theatre charges and we still get the occasional price complaint.

I think the average price complainer simply has no clue about what it costs to run a movie theatre.

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 12-05-2009, 09:17 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
I think the average price complainer simply has no clue about what it costs to run a movie theatre.

I don't think, I know they don't. They also think that the price of the ticket is all the theatre's as well.

Our general policy is "Out of sight, out of mind." As long as its not obvious we're not too concerned about it. A bigger problem are people using their cell phones to call and sneak their friends in through the exit doors. [Mad]

Why I think the FCC should allow signal jammers for entertainment venues.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 12-05-2009, 11:33 PM:

It really annoys me when people complain about the food prices, was there ever a time when cinema food was anything but expensive? It's always irregular visitors, or people who don't understand inflation.

Some chains in the UK take banning outside food more seriously but it's a site-by-site thing usually. I'm never going to argue with a customer about cold food coming in the cinema, or give pathetic excuses about why they can't bring it in like I've seen some managers do, it just pisses them off. Hot food stinks and should be banned though.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 12-06-2009, 01:43 AM:

When I was a kid, the Tejon Theatre charged $1.00 for adukt admission, 40 cents kids. They had ONE size popcorn, a sack for 10 cents. Butter popcorn came in a tube for 15 cents. So price ratios were far different (to admission) then they are today.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-06-2009, 09:54 AM:

quote: Caleb Johnstone-Cowan
It really annoys me when people complain about the food prices, was there ever a time when cinema food was anything but expensive? It's always irregular visitors, or people who don't understand inflation.

It's not just movies. I have a book which quotes a newspaper article from the late 1700's pointing out that food inside the theatre cost about twice as much as it would outside of the theatre. The more things change, etc.

(It's a 900 page book and the reference isn't in the index, so I can't supply the exact quote and cite).

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-06-2009, 10:29 AM:

At Larry Miller's Gateway 12 Theater in in SLC most folks sneak things in. The concession bar there is so bad that the word dismal is too good for it. There are many food type specialty shops in the Gateway Shopping Mall as well as sonme really good restaurants... One friend actually made it in there with a Pizza from the California Pizza Place downstairs!!! I usually go to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory... but I still generally get a drink at the snack bar...

Mark

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-06-2009, 02:04 PM:

...and I do agree with the eateries at the Gateway - excellent choices!

..yet, it's gonna happen with people sneaking food stuff at any cinema around the world. We just have to do the best we can in this area to contain the situation.

-Monte

Posted by Christopher Crouch (Member # 3784) on 12-07-2009, 03:21 AM:

quote: Mike Olpin
AMC had allowed this? I find that hard to believe. In fact I'm pretty sure the assholes at the old Century City location told me I couldn't bring in my soda a few years ago.

They had dropped the policy in recent years. However, AMC did have a no outside food/drink policy as recently as the late 90's. Back when I worked for them the policy was fully enforced.

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 12-07-2009, 10:55 AM:

We ban it also, but don't search people's bags or anything. The thing that bothers me the most is when people get irate when we ask them to please leave their food at the box office.

We refused to allow one guy to bring in his box of Lucky Charms, he got to the point where the police had to be called. From what I remember, he ended up going to jail for disorderly conduct when he began swearing at and threatening the officer.

Posted by Jack Theakston (Member # 4484) on 12-07-2009, 12:23 PM:

The other point that I always made was: fine, I can let you in with a soda bottle. But then, there's going to be the guy behind you who saw that and wants me to let him in with a sandwich... and then the next guy is going to want to bring in a Chinese food dinner... and then the next guy some Limburger cheese... etc.

There's a reason concessions are largely inoffensive smelling-- no one wants to sit through a two-hour movie smelling someone's smelly cheese!

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 12-07-2009, 12:36 PM:

A manager I worked with refused to let someone in with a bottle of water, after they got pissed off and left I asked him why he bothered. He said at his own cinema (was covering us) two girls of about 16-17 bought in a 2 litre water bottle full of Vodka, and ended up making such a scene the screen had to be stopped and Police were called. Pretty messed up, and obviously had they not handled it properly would have caused licensing issues.

Posted by Paul J. Neuhaus (Member # 3205) on 12-08-2009, 10:22 PM:

quote:

Why they don't allow outside food and drink is for insurance/liabiliy reasons:
For example: many moons ago ......woman won a 6 digit out of court settlement.
-Monte

While I do agree that this could happen I truly doubt this is the reason for widespread non-tolerance for outside food. It comes down to money plain and simple. The movie title gets em in the door the concession makes the theatre money!

Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 12-09-2009, 01:28 AM:

quote: Jeremy Weigel
Our general policy is "Out of sight, out of mind." As long as its not obvious we're not too concerned about it.

That's pretty much how I handle it. I don't want to go to the point of actually searching people's bags or asking them to open their jackets - although a large warm jacket on a warm day my have me follow them into the auditorium.

The thing that really bothers me is when people try to tell us we should lower our concession prices. The simple fact is that it would take a significant decrease to cause a significant increase in concession sales. But in order to handle the increase in sales, we would be required to have additional selling stations and additional staff - in other words we would have to incur higher costs.

What people don't understand is the price of an item includes more than just the cost of the item. When you factor in overhead, labor, and so forth, it drives the cost of that 95¢ package of Red Vines up to $2.50 or more. The grocery store can sell the same item for just a few cents over cost because they do more volume and so the overhead cost per item is diluted much further.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 12-09-2009, 04:17 AM:

quote: Justin Hamaker
What people don't understand is the price of an item includes more than just the cost of the item. When you factor in overhead, labor, and so forth, it drives the cost of that 95¢ package of Red Vines up to $2.50 or more. The grocery store can sell the same item for just a few cents over cost because they do more volume and so the overhead cost per item is diluted much further.

.. and this goes back to that we have to sell items with this higher markup due to that we don't sell huge quantities of food on a regular basis.

Most cinemas only have, at most, a 1 hour window to sell on a regular basis and hit the most patrons that comes in the door and the next hour plus is in stock/cleanup time since those patrons are in the houses. I've done the best to explain this to a patron or two, but the most doesn't see it that way...

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 12-09-2009, 03:21 PM:

quote: Justin Hamaker
The simple fact is that it would take a significant decrease to cause a significant increase in concession sales.

An exhibitor I worked for in the past tried out selling candy at much lower prices (very close to what C-store prices would be for the same size package) . . . . . the result was literally the same volume of candy sales, lower gross sales and obviously lower profit - customers did not respond to the lower prices and buy more like ownership thought (this location did this trial from opening day - candy sales remained the same after they raised the prices to normal theatre levels). Of course the million dollar question is what would sales do if popcorn and soda prices were lower . . . . . .

I wonder if AMC is seeing a boost in concession sales after instituting ban . . . . . .

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-09-2009, 03:58 PM:

I can ask one of my old managers that still is at an AMC, but I'm sure the answer is "no." People who wanted to eat stuff from elsewhere will just go ahead and actually eat it elsewhere before arriving.

Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 12-09-2009, 05:35 PM:

We do not allow it. You have to rely on your doorperson to enforce it. That's why I'm not in favor of having kids take tickets. They are hesitant to challenge patrons, especially adults.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-09-2009, 06:47 PM:

quote: David Zylstra
Of course the million dollar question is what would sales do if popcorn and soda prices were lower

I don't think it would do much. People tend to buy what they want to buy. That said, to me the best thing about lower prices is good will. Our prices are pretty low compared to big chains and it makes people actually feel good about buying our stuff, vs. feeling ripped off.

Posted by David Zylstra (Member # 4230) on 12-10-2009, 05:00 PM:

I agree - there is honor in having good value on pricing - we recently compared our prices to our competitors from the 2 large exhibitors and on several similar items and combos we charge much less and we still have a pretty high percap with acceptible cost of goods.

I also agree that people who always buy a soda and popcorn will always buy it no matter what the price (within reason of course) - evidence is that on most price increases our sales volume seems steady.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 12-10-2009, 06:30 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
to me the best thing about lower prices is good will. Our prices are pretty low compared to big chains and it makes people actually feel good about buying our stuff, vs. feeling ripped off.

Mike, that is of course very true, but I wouldn't leave it to the patron to figure out that you are giving him a good deal -- why not use that venerable markteing tool that's been used since time immorial by other businesses where you show the usual price crossed out and beneath it your discounted price. If you are going to take a bit of a hit on profit in order to get the patron to feel all warm and fuzzy about you, you might as well hit them over the head to make sure they get it. You could say yours is the FAIR price, maybe even say as some merchants do, "If you can find this item at a lower price at any other cinema, we'll give you two free." I'd make price cards like this for every item in the display case. Toot it for yourself or it won't get tooted by anyone else [thumbsup]

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-10-2009, 07:22 PM:

Go for the full package and add a sign that says "AMERICAN MADE!!!"

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 12-11-2009, 01:12 AM:

Well, Nestle is a French conglomorate, and cocoa is hardly american-grown, and has all sorts of Issues involving slave labor, child labor, etc., etc... I'd steer clear of that...

--jhawk

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-11-2009, 02:04 AM:

I'd gladly pay extra if child labor were involved.

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-11-2009, 08:41 AM:

quote: John Hawkinson
Well, Nestle is a French conglomorate, and cocoa is hardly american-grown, and has all sorts of Issues involving slave labor, child labor, etc., etc... I'd steer clear of that...

Oh, like advertising has to be true!?! [evil]

Switch to Hershey's

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 12-11-2009, 08:48 AM:

Oh, I put my foot in it.

I did not mean to imply that Nestle has issues with child labor and slave labor.

Chocolate in general has such issues.

--jhawk
(Waiting for a polite phone call from a chocolate company legal department that carefully monitors Film-Tech.)

Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 12-11-2009, 11:53 AM:

The oompa loompa's have your number now!

Posted by Ed Alvarado (Member # 2760) on 12-14-2009, 06:24 AM:

Ive worked and managed at theaters for many years and honestly i think the prices on food is crazy but you have to take it this way going to the movie theater is simply like going to a concert or any other expensive outing. I mean your paying to be entertained and watching a movie is not limited to that i mean how many times have you gone to an amusement park or hell even a restraunt and paid a low price? its not going to happen so to simply put it IF YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT PRICES THEN DON'T GO OUT AT ALL just stay home and rent a movie and eat your food.

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 12-21-2009, 09:25 PM:

I guess it goes without really saying... but I could never turn down an opportunity to add my two pennies... Theatres should offer better quality than their competition in addition to lower pricing! If people are getting quality, they will be willing to pay a little more for it. Some theatres I've visited in the past would nearly choke you with the smell of burnt or worse... week old stale (and rubbery) popcorn poured from a garbage bag into a warmer. I've even run into the occasional molded drink syrup smell, not in the theatre where it was thrown on the floor, but at the concession stand where the seal on the syrup tank was compromised. That has probably been for the most part eliminated with conversion to the sealed boxes, unless the fountain head is never or rarely cleaned. And then there are the slush machines with soured mix (sugar that has started to ferment) in them and still being sold to patrons. That goes for the rancid buttery popcorn topping that has cooked and been added to for who knows how long, because the despenser is rarely cleaned. I've even bought chocolate that was so old it had turned white. A new twist on milk chocolate? I returned it, of course, so they could rotate it back into stock. Cleanliness to the eye as well as the nose is important to successful concession sales. Patrons aren't stupid and will not be burned twice on crap masquerading as theatre concessions. Maybe one point to make here is have people working your concession who are mature enough to care about their patrons. Repeat business is crucial to staying in business.

Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 12-22-2009, 11:41 AM:

Someday, I'd like to see a thread here, revolving around what "reasonable" means as concerns theatre pricing. Somehow, I doubt anyone will agree on anything.

A theatre will never sell candy at prices you'll commonly find at a grocery store, even though several items we commonly sell are stocked there. Funny... you can buy a package of Red Vines for 75 cents, but people still pay $3.50 at the theatre. So, what is a reasonable price for Red Vines... or a large popcorn... or how 'bout that bottle of water that cost you 22 cents?

The new "Gold Class" cinemas charges outrageous prices... for very good food and presentation. Up here, people are 'eating it up'. Everything in the place is absolutely first-rate. People go there, expecting to pay for what they get. Nobody expects them to attend every week and nobody expects admission prices at multiplex levels.

Do the dinner theatres that Brad built serve up their menu at McDonald's prices. Somehow, I doubt it. Does that mean they're gouging their customers? Only if Joe goes there!

I really think it's more about quality and service than price. Sure, you can get rediculous with your popcorn prices, but hey... I buy beer and hotdogs at the ballpark for $7 (each), and I walk out with a smile. Nobody expects prices like that anywhere else, and I'll only do that a couple of times a year.

My popcorn sales have gone up to the point I had to install a second popper. I don't scrimp on the popping oil (no dry corn here), and topping comes with the price. My large size comes with one free refill. That makes the large sell twice as much as a medium, and 5 times more than my smalls. Only 40% bother to get the refills, though many do take their containers home and use them next time they're out here. I'm close enough to indoor theatre pricing without being equal to or (yikes) higher, and my concessions sell just fine.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-22-2009, 02:45 PM:

We sell a 32oz soda for $2.25. The same soda at a convenience store runs around $1.25. Carmike in Billings sells it for $4.80!

People are knowledgable that the concession stand is where the theatre makes its money. Therefore they're mostly willing to pay somewhat higher prices, but they don't want to feel like they're getting screwed. $4.80 for a 32 oz. soda definitely would feel like a screwing to me.

Posted by John Joseph Fink (Member # 3619) on 12-23-2009, 01:00 AM:

Had no problem bringing in a Jamba Juice to AMC the other night. Their exsactly language doesn't explicitly ban drinks and food, it simply says "We appreciate your cooperation in finishing outside food and drinks before entering their theaters". If they had said something I would have replied "I'd appreciate if you offered healthier options, so I guess we're even".

It's ironic that AMC permitted outside food, than closed most of the cafe concessions that General Cinema and Loews had and now they're trying to expand their concession menu with Gold Peak tea and Chicken Fingers. Meanwhile the coffee shops and ice cream stands Loews had were mostly closed, verses National Amusements which runs full food courts with plenty of quality options. I'll buy movie theater food (7 out of 10 times I buy popcorn, and I see 4 movies a week) if the theaters provide good quality concessions, if it's crap, then I won't buy it - price isn't really a factor. I hope Rave doesn't screw up National Amusements and their concessions.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 12-23-2009, 02:16 PM:

I concur. When I worked at AMC and they acted like it was a huge thing to bring in a Turbo-Chef I was like "We had those 5 years ago before the merger." I tried to get them to expand out to having drip coffee; even though I hate the stuff, it sells relatively well from my memory of working downstairs.

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 12-23-2009, 08:58 PM:

I think we are selling escapism and eating something you wouldn't usually eat is part of that, most people don't want healthy food at the cinema. Suppose it really depends on your location and customer base though.