Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Monthly Expense list

This is topic Monthly Expense list in forum Ground Level at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-14-2011, 10:13 PM:

My friend and I are in the process of opening up our own theater. Brad has give me some great advice about start up costs. We're currently revising our business plan with more detailed costs. Does anyone who runs an independent theater have a monthly expense list that they'd be willing to share so that we can see what we're up against?

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-15-2011, 09:33 AM:

Well I'm not at the theatre right now so I don't have the books in front of me but here's what I can list off the top of my head:

Payroll
Film rent
Concession supplies
Heat/electricity/gas/water
Freight charges for film (digital: figure about $40 per title, film: about $60 unless you live near the depot)
Other freight charges (concessions and other supplies)
Booking fees
Advertising
Website expense (site design/maintenance and hosting)
Maintenance (building and equipment)
Travel and entertainment
Taxes and license
Payroll taxes
Mortgage or rental costs
Insurance (Liability, business interruption, fire, unemployment, health if you offer it)
Set-aside for remodeling, updating, equipment replacement and such
Computer software and licensing
Non-concession supplies (janitorial stuff, ticket stock, etc.)
And the ever-popular "miscellaneous"

I'm sure there's a few things I'm not remembering but it's early in the morning! [Smile]

Posted by Matt Fields (Member # 3211) on 01-15-2011, 12:28 PM:

I think the most important thing to look at is what your rent/mortage is going to be. That will be your highest fixed cost most likely.
You can do a lot of business and still not make good money if the rent/mortgage payment is too high.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 01-15-2011, 02:25 PM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
Travel and entertainment

Can you clarify this? It sounds like part of the budget is set aside to entertain yourself.

Posted by Adam Fraser (Member # 1074) on 01-15-2011, 05:04 PM:

Travel to trade shows or other official functions would be the largest travel expense.

Entertainment includes things like paying for a candy sales rep or service tech's lunch.

Both of those categories are under $1000 in our yearly books.

Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 01-15-2011, 06:01 PM:

Do not forget bank account fees/credit card fees/check order fees etc. People sometimes forget about these fees because they are most often deducted directly from your account.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 01-15-2011, 07:46 PM:

quote: Adam Fraser
or service tech's lunch.

I always thought the service tech was supposed to take the owner out to lunch not the other way around! [Big Grin]

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 01-16-2011, 10:02 PM:

Thanks for the all the tips guys!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 01-16-2011, 11:33 PM:

quote: Jonathan M. Crist
Do not forget bank account fees/credit card fees/check order fees etc

Very true, good addition. Credit card fees especially, big expense.

quote:
I always thought the service tech was supposed to take the owner out to lunch not the other way around!

It doesn't matter who buys lunch...the owner pays for it one way or the other! [Big Grin]

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 01-16-2011, 11:38 PM:

quote:
It doesn't matter who buys lunch...the owner pays for it one way or the other!

You got that right!