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Author Topic: How Much Popcorn? Bruce Felt Film Handler Posts: 7 From: Thief River Falls, MN Registered: Jul 2004 posted 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  |  IP: Logged R. Andrew Diercks Expert Film Handler Posts: 232 From: Marion, Iowa (In the middle of everywhere) Registered: May 2003 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Rachel Craven Madam Moderator Posts: 2190 From: Pensacola, FL Registered: Dec 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Ian Price Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1714 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 99 posted 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 ]  |  IP: Logged Mike Blakesley Film God Posts: 12767 From: Forsyth, Montana Registered: Jun 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Steve Kraus Film God Posts: 4094 From: Chicago, IL, USA Registered: May 2000 posted 07-29-2004 04:42 PM                    Hmmm...Thief River Falls...home of Digi-Key.  |  IP: Logged Don Furr Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 509 From: Sun City, Ca USA Registered: Nov 2002 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Bruce Felt Film Handler Posts: 7 From: Thief River Falls, MN Registered: Jul 2004 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Barry Floyd Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1079 From: Lebanon, Tennessee, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Jason M Miller Master Film Handler Posts: 284 From: Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 08-10-2004 10:20 PM                     quote: "It also depends on whether you plan to pop fresh everyday or pre-bag." --Rachel Gilardi Man do not pre-bag, it taste nasty, we pop fresh and it is good stuff  |  IP: Logged

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