Popcorn container shortage threatens to pop theaters profits | Business | standardspeaker.com

2022-06-29 02:36:21 By : Mr. Jason Liu

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A few clouds. Low 52F. Winds light and variable.

Dietrich Theatre supervisor Gerard Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday. Movie theaters have experienced trouble getting containers for popcorn in all the sizes they usually offer.

David Stucker, 27, Wilkes-Barre, holds his daughter, Piper, outside the Cinemark theater in Moosic.

Dietrich Theatre general manager Ronnie Harvey serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday.

Dietrich Theatre concessions stand staff member Christopher Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday.

Popcorn is seen at the Dietrich Theatre in Tunkhannock on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Dietrich Theatre staff members, from left, executive director Erica Rogler, supervisor Gerard Mirabelli, general manager Ronnie Harvey and concessions stand staff members Christopher Mirabelli and Sarah Chapla hold bags of popcorn at the Tunkhannock theater on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Dietrich Theatre supervisor Gerard Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Dietrich Theatre supervisor Gerard Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday. Movie theaters have experienced trouble getting containers for popcorn in all the sizes they usually offer.

David Stucker, 27, Wilkes-Barre, holds his daughter, Piper, outside the Cinemark theater in Moosic.

Dietrich Theatre general manager Ronnie Harvey serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday.

Dietrich Theatre concessions stand staff member Christopher Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday.

Popcorn is seen at the Dietrich Theatre in Tunkhannock on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Dietrich Theatre staff members, from left, executive director Erica Rogler, supervisor Gerard Mirabelli, general manager Ronnie Harvey and concessions stand staff members Christopher Mirabelli and Sarah Chapla hold bags of popcorn at the Tunkhannock theater on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

Dietrich Theatre supervisor Gerard Mirabelli serves popcorn at the theater in Tunkhannock on Tuesday, June 28, 2022.

David Stucker was excited to take his 3-year-old daughter, Piper, to her first-ever movie Tuesday afternoon, but the toddler had more important things than Buzz Lightyear on her mind.

“The first thing she said was ‘I need popcorn,’” the Wilkes-Barre resident said outside the Cinemark theater in Moosic, adding later, “The movies are nothing without a bucket of popcorn. ... It’s like the peanut butter to the jelly.”

Fortunately, the 27-year-old was able to oblige with a snack pack that, much to Piper’s delight, included the buttery treat, gummy bears and a soda.

Area theater owners and managers say they’re concerned they may not always be able to meet the demands of moviegoers like Piper as they cope with a variety of shortages. The latest to hit movie theaters: There’s plenty of popcorn, but not the packages to put it in.

“We never ran out but we did have to scramble a little,” said Dave Castelli, general manager of the Circle Drive-In in Scranton.

The shortages, which also include soda cups and other paper products, have forced theaters to adjust. Some have reduced the number of popcorn sizes offered, changed from bags to buckets or both.

“People love popcorn buckets. ... I ran out and had to take them off the menu for two weeks,” said Stephen Zelenak, manager at the Garden Drive-In in Hunlock Creek.

Erica Rogler, executive director of the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock, and Brianna Eilbacher, manager at the Flagship Cinemas in Matamoras, expressed similar frustrations.

The Flagship has been out of small popcorn bags for about two months. The Dietrich only recently obtained enough bags to offer all its usual sizes.

The packaging pinch is especially frustrating now that the industry, decimated by the pandemic, is again booming thanks to blockbusters like “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World: Dominion,” Rogler said.

While she’s thrilled to see a full theater, ticket sales alone are not nearly enough to sustain the industry, Rogler said.

“We are required to give royalties for every ticket of 55 to 60% for new movies,” she said. “Theaters make their money with concessions and popcorn is king.”

The supply chain issues are among several challenges theaters are facing, Castelli said. Like other businesses, they’re dealing with the soaring price of goods and skyrocketing labor costs.

“I think a lot of people are evaluating their business models and how they can stay afloat,” he said.

The theaters also fret that they are alienating customers. Zelenak said most customers understand when they can’t get their preferred size of snack. He’s concerned their patience may wear thin if the shortages continue.

“It’s not our fault but it makes us look bad,” Zelenak said.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.

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