Studio chief urges theater operators to trade in popcorn for peaches

Hold the butter on that popcorn.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Chief Executive Michael Lynton called on the nation's biggest circuits to think about the waist lines of their customers, not just their own bottom lines.

In a speech at the nation's largest theater convention in Las Vegas, Lynton urged theater owners to offer healthier snacks at their concession stands and not simply rely on the usual fare of candy, popcorn and soda.

"Adding healthier options to your existing menu is the right thing to do for our industry, for audiences and for our country," Lynton said at the annual movie industry convention known as ShoWest.

Lynton cited the childhood obesity epidemic and a poll conducted by Sony that found two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered them.

As for what kinds of healthy snacks he had in mind, Lynton said: "I don't thinks giant tubs of spinach or broccoli's a good idea. And nobody wants to eat cauliflower while watching Spider-Man or drink a 40-ounce cup of prune juice."

-- Richard Verrier

Photo: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[A Metrolink rider]

Of course, the theaters gouge customers on cheap snacks because the studios take almost all of the ticket price. Share the wealth, Mr. Lynton, and theaters could afford to offer some better snacks.

[Lee Rivas]

It's all about dollars and cents, people.

Up to 95 percent of the admission gross goes to the distributor while the venue has to make-do with the remainder.

What would you charge for snacks?

Let the altruistic distributors lower their percentages of the gate rather than push the venue to alter their business dealings and menus.

[Robert NO longer in LA]

What? No comment on the BLOODSUCKING price of a 25 cent scoop of popcorn kernels???

[drs]

It would be nice if people give their sources, when they compare Burger with Popcorn. For example
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-popcorn-air-popped-i19034?size=3
http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-big-mac-cheeseburger-i21100

[f ron miller]

With $4.5o (!!!) for a small (read: tiny) popcorn now the going rate at the Landmark I think the problem will be self-correcting in no time.

[Patrick]

Lynton needs to cotton on to the fact that it’s the corn, not the butter that makes popcorn bad for you. He should read “Good Calories, Bad Calories” by Gary Taubes.

And this just in:
A study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found insufficient evidence linking saturated fat intake to cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease. Another study in that issue suggested refined carbohydrates and being overweight are the true culprits. And they’re just the latest to suggest that sat fat has gotten a bad rap.

[HollywoodSucks]

There hasn't been a movie worth seeing for years. Hollywood is no longer relevant, and the "actors" are just pathetic. Why anyone cares what these people say or think is beyond me. Most people stop "pretending" in elementary school...but some idiots get paid unreal money to "pretend". What a joke.

[Vince]

Jamba Juice in theatres....what a great idea! They have food now too.

[Liz]

There is obviously a happy medium between giant cans of prune juice and probably the unhealthiest snack in the world -- movie theater popcorn with butter. No one wants to eat cauliflower sprigs during the movie but an option that doesn't have most of calories you should eat in a day would be nice.

[Abe]

i would say sell veggies, but keep selling popcorn, drinks, and candy as well