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Movie Theaters Basics

Learn the secrets of movie theaters for fun and profit

By Mike Tracy
Movie theaters seem as American as apple pie. Once motion pictures caught on, movie theaters spread to every city and town in the country. Today large cities have dozens of movie theaters with thousands of individual screens, often grouped in a megaplex. Some motion picture theaters are as ornate as opera houses, while others are functionally austere. Even a few drive in movie theaters remain to remind us of a bygone era.

Hundreds of millions of Americans attend films in local movie theaters each year. And the theaters themselves are the center of the action. That means there are a number of business opportunities at local movie theaters. If your company supplies a product or service that fits the profile of a typical movie-going experience, evaluate the potential. To decide if movies theaters are an outlet for your company, take the following steps:

1. Check out a local movie theater.

2. Identify business opportunities at American movie theaters.

3. Consider movie theaters that are part of a larger group.

 

Learn local movie theaters basics

So your business wants to be in the movies? Unless you're part of the specialized film industry, the place to start is your local movie theater. Most theaters hosts thousands of patrons every year. The busy traffic means large product sales as well as a need for services. Project what your business has to offer at a movie theater to decide if there is a fit.
Try: Have staff take the crash course on what resources go into running a movie theater at BusinessWeek.com. It cites excellent resources for more in-depth research. Grab a set of the Encyclopedia of Exhibition videos from the National Association of Theatre Operators for your office. It includes a complete range of practical information on theater management.

Gather information about the different business facets that movie theaters have to offer

You company can find a lot more than local movie theaters and times by visiting movie theater websites. You will also find the range of products and service sponsored by the theater. Any and all could be angles into the "movie" business. Don't overlook behind-the-scenes opportunities such as custodial services and temporary personnel.
Try: Scan the list of independent movie theaters at the Filmland website. For more local business opportunities, these movie houses boast local management and decision making. For a small theater group, have your firm contact Celebration Cinema. They oversee several theaters in Michigan.

Think big with your movie theater business

Some movie theater companies manage hundreds of theaters with thousands of screens across several states. Earning a contract with the parent company is generally a bid process but can be very lucrative. Perhaps your niche would be in foreign cinema houses. Whether your company supplies paper cups or marketing expertise, ride Americans' love of movie theaters to company profits.
Try: Check with one of the larger theater groups for business partnerships. AMC Entertainment manages hundreds of theaters in most states. Touch base with Laemme Theatres, dedicated to top foreign cinema.

 

  • Remember that not all American movie theaters are the same. Many are part of large entertainment holding companies, while others are owned locally. Develop your business's pitch accordingly.
  • Movies are big business around the world. If your firm is interested in worldwide or foreign opportunities, contact companies that manage movie theaters outside the U.S.

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