Popcorn machines are oftentimes associated with the movie theatre. But, if you think outside of the box, you can use a commercial popcorn machine to benefit any business. Popcorn is an American staple and draws in almost anyone. Providing a snack is always a plus and can make for even happier customers. Investing a little in this case can prove for a big return.

Take this advice while making the most of popcorn machines:

1. Use popcorn machines at your next event as an incentive to attend.
2. Offer popcorn vending machines for your retail store.
3. Use a popcorn machine to offer free popcorn at your bar or restaurant.
   

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Offer free popcorn from your popcorn maker at your next company event

Whether you own a retail store or provide services to other businesses, chances are good you have promotional events for your customers. Consider popping some popcorn and offering free popcorn for your guests as a 'thank you' for coming. Although the initial investment in popcorn makers may seem big, the trade off could be very well worth it.

I recommend: EPopcorn offers several commercial popcorn poppers to choose from as well as a model that you can even rent. They also suggest where each model would be best suited. Popcorn Supply Company also carries several commercial popcorn machines that may provide a boost at your next company event.

Purchase a popcorn machine or popcorn vending machine for your office or retail store

Consider making a popcorn machine cart a permanent fixture in your office or retail store. Who doesn't like a snack while they are waiting? Offering a constant flow of popcorn can keep your customers happy while they wait on someone to help them. And if you aren't interested in the upkeep, look into buying a popcorn vending machine that make fresh popcorn on the spot.

I recommend: HT Market carries different sizes and styles to fit any space. Stargate Cinema offers smaller popcorn makers that may be perfect for your store or office. And for a single serving of popcorn at a time, try Pop N Go.

Invest in commercial popcorn machines for your bar or restaurant

Popcorn can offer your guests a little something extra that may make them come back to your establishment next time before the guy next door's. A little free popcorn--or maybe offer at a minimal price--can make for happier customer's while they wait for their food and beverages.

I recommend: Concession Stands offers you several choices for your bar or restaurant. Or maybe A1 Popcorn Machines carries the model that will best suit your business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure to offer cups or bowls to go with your popcorn machine so your customers have something to carry it in. And most importantly, have a few scoops so you keep your popcorn machine area sanitary for the next customer.

You have to spend some time to go through the features of commercial popcorn poppers before making your final purchase. You want to ensure the popcorn machine that you choose has the ability to produce enough popcorn to meet the demand of your customers.

Commercial popcorn machines come in all shapes and sizes. Most likely, the output amount of your maker will help narrow down your choices to a few select popcorn machines.

1. Choose the size of your commercial popcorn maker. For a small concession stand, you may only need a 4 to 6 ounce popcorn machine. For a very large operation, look for 16 ounce popcorn makers or bigger.
2. Decide between electric or gas popcorn machines. You need to compare costs of running each machine and what type of connection that you have available.
3. Find a commercial popcorn machine supplier and place your order. After comparing prices and products, settle on the supplier that can give you the best deals on popcorn makers.
4. Order your supplies and adjust the amounts based on your sales figures. After your initial launch, you may need to adjust your supply order or buy additional accessories for commercial popcorn poppers.

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Look Through the Inventory of Commercial Popcorn Machine Suppliers

Read the descriptions of each commercial popcorn poppers. Verify on whether the machine is a table top model or if you need to purchase a popcorn machine cart as well.

I recommend: You can find quotes on most commercial grade popcorn machines online. Check with several companies about product prices before settling on your popcorn maker supplier.

Pick the Style and Size of the Popcorn Machine

You want to base the style that you purchase on the visibility of the popcorn maker. If customers will view your machine, you may want to choose an antique style over the standard popcorn machines. Judge the size of the model by considering the number of customers that you average.

I recommend: For a large number of both antique and standard commercial popcorn machines, order from the Jarco Company. On the Popcorn Machines Direct site, you can browse the different makers by size.

Purchase the Necessary Accessories and Supplies for the Popcorn Maker

After buying your popcorn machines, you need to purchase the accessories and supplies to work the makers. Products that you must buy include: oil, kernels, seasoning, scoops, tubs and butter dispensers.

I recommend: Look for the best prices online on bulk orders of popcorn machine supplies. You can shop around for your popcorn supplies and do not have to purchase the items from the supplier of your machine.

Expand Your Business with Popcorn Vending Machines

As an added income, you can furnish different locations with popcorn vending machines that provide customers with delicious hot popcorn in minutes.

I recommend: Order your popcorn vending machine and supplies from The Hanna Group. Also, request a quote from Pop n Go on their popcorn vending machines.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to purchase warranty coverage on your commercial popcorn maker or popcorn vending machine. You'll need to make sure that a service technician is available in the case of breakage.

Whether you're looking for a popcorn machine for a small business or a large restaurant, finding a good deal is important to everyone. In order to know if you're getting a good deal, you need to know the pricing and costs of popcorn machines in general. Once you have decided what type of popcorn makers will best suit your needs, you can start looking for the best machine for the least money.

Keep these tips in mind when buying commercial popcorn poppers:

1. Don't be fooled—a popcorn machine cart doesn't necessarily include a popcorn machine, too.
2. You can save money if you don't need the largest industrial popcorn machine on the market.
3. Look into purchasing a used popcorn machine.
   

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Know exactly what you're getting from a popcorn machine and cart

The style is where you need to decide if the extra money is worth it. The actual popcorn machine is often times not what offers the style, it's an additional popcorn machine cart that almost doubles the price of your machine. Midsized commercial popcorn machines run around $300 to $400. To add a cart to your purchase you will be adding another $300 to $400, depending on the number of ounces your machine can produce.

I recommend: Standard Concession Supply offers many different sizes and styles of both popcorn machines and the accompanying carts. My Popcorn Machine also offers all the sizes and styles for you to choose from including the largest industrial size for movie theaters and other entertainment facilities.

Decide if you can get away with a smaller popcorn machine

Popcorn machines come in a variety of sizes. If you can get by with making more batches of popcorn in a smaller machine, you may be able to save a little money. An average 4 oz. commercial popcorn machine runs around $300 to $400, 6 oz. machines are around $400 to $600, 8 oz. are around $600 to $800, and the price goes upwards. Any machines above 4 oz. have built-in heaters that keep the popcorn warm for hours at a time. It's important to evaluate the minimum size you can function with. The fresher the popcorn, the better anyways, so making more batches in a smaller machine may benefit you both the short term and the long term. Popcorn vending machines are also a possibility for those businesses who would like to offer popcorn to their customers, but don't plan on it flying out of the popper.

I recommend: Snappy Popcorn carries several models as well as other popcorn machine accessories that you may be interested in purchasing. And if you are looking for a popcorn vending machine, Fresh Pop has a machine that gives you around $0.90 profit on each bag sold.

Buy a used popcorn machine to save some money upfront

In general, a good popcorn machine shouldn't need much maintenance other then a little cleaning every now and again. So, if you decide to buy a used popcorn machine, as long as the popper is still popping and the warmer is still warming, just be sure you're getting a clean machine. Used popcorn machines can be up to half the price of new machines. The only catch--they may not be as stylish as some of the newer models, but if your machine isn't going to be in a central place, the style shouldn't be an issue.

I recommend: Allen Associates carries used popcorn machines to accommodate any budget. Valley Popcorn refurbishes old machines to the standards of new equipment.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering the pricing and costs of popcorn machines, you need to also take into consideration the costs of the actual popcorn and oil, packaging of the popcorn, and cleaning products for your machine as well. Evaluate the costs of the additional items you'll need before deciding on your machine so you can take the whole picture into account.

A popcorn machine is a fairly simple piece of equipment that can enhance the sales at almost any concession stand. Still, before you begin to look for the perfect popper for your business, you should be familiar with some of the industry's key terms. For example, you'll need to decide if you need a bucket oil pump or popcorn warmer. You'll have to choose whether you want bulk popping corn or popcorn portion packs. And finally, you won't want to forget to pick up grease remover and a filler funnel.

Action Steps
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Popcorn warmers

Popcorn warmers are cabinets with a heater that you can use to store popped popcorn and keep it warm. The popcorn can be stored loose or in popcorn containers, ready to be distributed to customers.

I recommend: For examples of popcorn warmers, take a look at Snappy Popcorn Company.

Popcorn portion packs

Popcorn portion packs make it easier to use your popcorn machine. One pack contains everything you need to make popcorn, including the salt and oil. All you have to do is cut off the top and put the contents of the pack into the machine. It is quick, with no mess and no measuring.

I recommend: Paragon International has more information about popcorn portion packs, along with examples of several types of packs.

Bulk popping corn

Bulk popping corn is a large bag containing only popcorn kernels. You need to add the salt, oil and any other ingredients you would like. However, by buying kernels in bulk you can see substantial cost savings.

I recommend: You can get more information about bulk popping corn in bags as big as 50 pounds from ePopcorn.

Grease remover

Grease remover is essential to properly clean your popcorn machine. It eliminates tough carbon build-up. It's one way to help you keep your machine running well and popping the perfect popcorn.

I recommend: Standard Concession Supply has more information about how to use grease removers in popcorn machines and kettles. The company also details which surfaces could be damaged by grease removers.

Bucket oil pump

A bucket oil pump is used to pump oil from a bucket into your popcorn machine. It's used for large, high-capacity popcorn machines. It is recommended that you melt the oil in the bucket prior to use.

I recommend: To view pictures of several types of bucket oil pumps and to get more information, visit My Popcorn Machine.

Filler funnel

A filler funnel makes it easy to fill long, skinny bags of popcorn. You simply put the funnel in the opening of the bag and quickly scoop popcorn in through the top.

I recommend: To see what a filler funnel looks like, check out Jarco Industries.