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Author Topic: Valet Concessions Matt Kerekes Film Handler Posts: 73 From: Rio Rancho, NM Registered: Oct 2004 posted 05-07-2006 10:58 AM                     Has anyone tried having concessionists take orders in theatres and bring it to them in their seats? If so, what kind of advice can you give me if I were thinking about trying it. Any ideas such as menus, seating charts, etc? Thanks.  |  IP: Logged Adam Wilbert Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 590 From: Bellingham, WA, USA Registered: Mar 2002 posted 05-07-2006 02:18 PM                        I've seen roaming concessionists only once, They used numbered tickets and gave the customers in the theatre a paddle similar to the ones used at auctions. The person would hold the paddle up when the concessionist returned with the orders to signal where they were and what order number they had. It was kind of a goofy system. The only thing that I can see working pretty well is to take a "sports arena" approach and have the person carry a tray of candy or other easily caried items and some change. Soda and popcorn would still be handled at the counter.  |  IP: Logged Caleb Johnstone-Cowan Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 593 From: London, UK Registered: Mar 2006 posted 05-07-2006 05:44 PM                     We're starting this at the moment. Sold Coke and ice cream on trays during the ads and trailers. It went well financially. You can get Coca-Cola branded trays that look quite good.  |  IP: Logged Wayne Keyser Master Film Handler Posts: 272 From: Arlington, Virginia, USA Registered: May 2004 posted 05-07-2006 10:20 PM                     A long time ago, I think it was first-run STAR WARS or some similar summertime blockbuster, I was at a theater in DC where the lines waiting for the next show reached halfway around the block and the crowd took forever to enter and get seated - vendors with sodas in stadium-style trays both outside serving the lines, and inside (pre-show) serving those who were reluctant to stand up and risk losing their seats.  |  IP: Logged Mark Hajducki Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 500 From: Edinburgh, UK Registered: May 2003 posted 05-08-2006 10:11 AM                     A Previous discussion  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 05-08-2006 11:58 AM                     At K-B theatres, it was quite common for us to have "Hawkers" that would sell soda and popcorn to people in line as well as in the theatres. This was particularly true of the theatres in the city. The K-B Cinema really did well with that. When you have 824 seats and only a short time to get the theatre switched around for another sold-out show...you make the most of the time you have. One guy really did a show with it, Sam Ramsey...his tag line was always "By a hot popcorn and get a free napkin; buy a ice cold drink and get a free straw; what a deal folks!" It always got laughs and sales. Other creative guys also had their routines at various theatres. The ones that really got into it did notably better than those that just carried or pushed their carts.  |  IP: Logged David Stambaugh Film God Posts: 4021 From: Eugene, Oregon Registered: Jan 2002 posted 05-08-2006 12:08 PM                        Cinemark here used to have a couple guys with a snack cart visit the crowded auditoriums on weekends. They entertained the crowd with movie trivia questions and gave out some kind of small prize for correct answers (I think it was candy of some kind). They were pretty good at it, the crowd liked it, and they sold a lot of crap off those carts (which stocked only the LARGE sizes of drinks and popcorn).  |  IP: Logged Caleb Johnstone-Cowan Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 593 From: London, UK Registered: Mar 2006 posted 05-08-2006 06:43 PM                     To go back to the original post I wouldn't attempt to take orders from customers. You've got a window of 30mins max to sell to people before a film starts and running back and forth limits the time your staff can be selling in the screen.  |  IP: Logged

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