Vendor Spotlight: Theresa Boysen : Kernals Season’s

 

Our featured vendor of the blast this week is Theresa Boysen (you may all know her as Eleanor’s mom) of Kernel Seasonings. Enjoy this new segment and if you would like to be featured, email us.

Why is your product necessary to be in the theaters?
Offering a good variety of Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning, helps split and increase popcorn sales by inspiring groups to “get their own” and season it up to create their own individual perfect popcorn. Even when sales are split between kids/teens getting their favorite flavor popcorn while purist parents stick to butter and salt you’ve still added another high margin sale to your precap totals. Our seasoning has a long shelf life, doesn’t increase queue time, and generates great online reviews for your theatre.

What are your best selling flavors?
White Cheddar is number one followed closely by Nacho Cheddar and Ranch. Kettle Corn and Cheesy Jalapeno round out the core program, and although they are not top seasoning flavors, they are top popcorn sales drivers because lovers of spicy or sweet popcorn will often be directed to buy their own bag instead of sharing with the group.

What new products are coming out in the 2020 year?
Truffle Popcorn Seasoning! This is the item I’m excited to introduce to the Dine-In team because it’s prepared in the kitchen and served to patrons (at a decent upcharge of course:).

Also excited to announce I will be taking on additional Sauer Brands products this year, including DUKE’S MAYONNAISE and Duke’s dipping sauce packs.

What is your favorite flavor? 
I’ve been using our new Sriracha flavor the most. It’s the perfect amount of heat without being overwhelming.

What do you like best about the theater industry?
The energy. Combine the excitement of new movies with the commitment and passion of our exhibitors and vendor friends, and the energy is overwhelming.

What is one thing you have learned during Covid?
I learned to make fresh pasta, because I clearly needed a new way to eat more carbs.

 

To reach Theresa directly, email, call her at 773.899.3032 or visit her company website🙂

Boxoffice Pro Podcast

In today’s episode, Russ, Daniel, Rebecca, and Shawn discuss California’s safer economy blueprint at 25% capacity in select counties, successful films pre-COVID, international film festivals, and Paramount and Disney’s list of releases pushed back in 2021.

Listen in to find out how Tenet is driving the recovery efforts of exhibitors.
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CJ CINEMA SUMMIT #22

August 27, 2020

Warner Bros’ “Tenet” is the film on which all the hopes of restarting the global cinema industry rest. We will talk to the people who have been closely involved in bringing the Christopher Nolan thriller to the big (and biggest) screens at this unprecedented time.

It is truly a historic moment in the 125 years of the cinema industry and he 22nd CJCinemaSummit will put you in the front seat.

A special thank you to David Keighley, Chief Quality Guru and President Emeritus at IMAX Post/DKP Inc, and Craig Dehmel. EVP/Head of Global Distribution, IMAX Entertainment, for giving us a unique look behind the scenes at “Tenets” long road to the big screen.A special thank you to David Keighley, Chief Quality Guru and President Emeritus at IMAX Post/DKP Inc, and Craig Dehmel. EVP/Head of Global Distribution, IMAX Entertainment, for giving us a unique look behind the scenes at “Tenets” long road to the big screen.

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Amy + Matt Went to The Movies

Sunday, August 23rd, Matt and I went to Moviehouse & Eatery Trails to watch “Unhinged” starring Russell Crowe. I am not sure what I was most excited about 1. resuming movie night with our dear friends (riding to and from the theater while yammering in the car about our kids going back to school) 2. having food and drinks brought to our recliner (enjoying Wisconsin Cheese Curds (a new addition to the menu) and hogging down on warm, buttery movie theater popcorn- with refills) 3. seeing the theater filled with people who were just as excited to be there as I with their eyes entranced by the screen 4. listening to yelps, screams and surround sound of the movie itself (and still wondering why people don’t run from a serial killer) 5. receiving 2 free movie tickets because we spent over $50 in food and beverage.

All of these reasons contributed to a great night and confirmed the depth of my deeply missed movie going experience. Although this might not be a movie we would have selected if other new options were provided, IT WAS WORTH IT. The next time I consider honking my horn, I promise to consider the ramifications. Time to get back to the movies!

Seriously, for reals:)

CJ Cinema Summit

A special thank you to Tonje Hardersen and Gyda Velvin Myklebust from Haugesund International Film Festival, and Marit Sætre Færevåg from Edda Kino, for joining us.

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As we announced during last week’s summit, we are taking a break this week, to prep for next week’s event. Stay tuned for details on next week’s #CJCinemaSummit, which will be live on August 27th at 17:00 London and 09:00 Los Angeles time, where the focus will be on – you guessed it – the release of “Tenet”.

Stay tuned for details!

In strange and difficult times, one thing remains certain: there is incredible power in people coming together.

CJ Cinema Summit #20

We missed Sperling at the 20th CJ Cinema Summit as he was spending some quality time on a holiday.

A special thank you to Olga Zinyakova and Paul Heth from Karo Cinemas, and    Paul Dergarabedian from Comscore for joining us.

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In strange and difficult times, one thing remains certain: there is incredible power in people coming together.

Small things to do to make EXTRA MONEY while hosting private events at your Theatre!

Special events in theaters are missing out on some key revenue opportunities. Time to put your event planners to work! This week we are focusing on maximizing your event side of your business. Any of these ideas below can be adapted to any movie with a little legwork and research.

When you are presented with the opportunity to do a life celebration (birthday party, mitzvah, rehearsal dinner, girls night out, book club night out, valentines day etc), it is the desire for the customer to want their life easier (otherwise they host this event at their home).  Everyone loves to receive VIP treatment. When they are presented with unique ideas, packages and service offerings, they are all in. They often do not want “to hear about the labor pains, just produce them with a baby”. They will all have different budgetary price points, but you can work with that. With little effort on your part, you can offer celebration packages. You can become a “one stop shop” by providing entertainment, food and beverage and personalized favor boxes. The key to doing this well is to provide items that look expensive (but are not), and are personalized to the theme. But don’t forget to take your markup!

Balloon garlands add to any party. They are typically between $15-$45 on Amazon. If you hire a balloon company to do this, their fees are around $500. I do suggest purchasing a balloon air machine ($15). The garlands are a little time consuming, but insanely easy to do. It is not brain surgery. The insignificant cost them allows them to be disposed of immediately after the event while providing a significant impact.

For case studies, I looked at Star Cinema Grill and Fridley Theatres. I selected a movie they are currently showing and adapted a menu card from the items listed on their menu. These menu cards can be placed at each place setting for the party. This will allow your menu to stay the same, but by renaming items for an event, it adds that special touch.

All theaters should have the following “Must Haves” in their inventory. The items below are on the more fiscally conservative side, but you also can go more expensive. The step and repeat (banner) as well as the spandex table linens should be branded with your logo. They will be kept in your inventory for multiple uses. It allows the party to be taken to the next VIP level.

Fridley Theatres is showing Field of Dreams (one of the best baseball movies!). All of the items below were found on Amazon and are priced at per person (minus the balloon garland which is a one time fee). You most likely could get better prices through your distributors on the food.  The sunflower seeds, cracker jacks and coaster (personalized by a high school staff member as the girls all practice fancy writing:)) will go in the gift box. The dessert will be served in the baseball helmet (they can take it home) and the birthday guest will have the baseball candles (or not). The balloon garland will be draped on the corner of the step and repeat as the guests walk into the theatre.

There are so many things available for Star Wars and the fans are endless. In Austin, there is the 501 1st Legion. Yes, life size Star Wars characters who go to an event. They can be your greeters. Traditionally, they accept a donation to the charity they support and add an amazing touch to an event. Yes, there are many of these organizations around the United States. In addition to Amazon, make sure you become familiar with ETSY. You will be amazed at the personalized items you can find on that website of artsy small business owners. You should also consider developing a synergetic relationship with a bakery to get personalized cookies for your guests.

For the adults looking to have a fun evening out, they still like to have treats. Make their night special as well! You can located custom tshirts on Etsy for the guests to wear as a fun touch. Yes, they might even put the catchers mask on during the movie:)

CJ Cinema Summit #18

The focus of the 18th CJ Cinema Summit focused on the repurposing of movie theatres. We were fortunate to hear from one of the summit OG’s- Theresa English!

A special thank you to Alan Anthony of ThreeSixty Architecture, Theresa English from TK Architects, David Bell from Savills, and Brian Gilligan from Melcorpo for joining us.

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CJ Cinema Summit #16 July 9th

The Role of Integrators in Re-opening Cinemas.
With cinemas never having been shut this long or equipment out of use for such an extended period, there is a particular level of service and support required in getting the big screen and sound back up and running. We talk to Mark Collins from Harman International Corp, Jerry Murdoch from Cinema Next, Matt Majewski from Bright Star Systems, and Dean Bullock from CineCert about how they are working behind the scenes to ensure that the show can once more go on as audiences and films return.

A special thank you to Mark Collins from Harman International, Dean Bullock from CineCert, Matt Majewski from Bright Star systems, andJerryMurdoch from Cinema Next.

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