Movie theater chains are investing over $2.2 billion to revitalize the cinema experience, aiming to capitalize on a post-pandemic box office rebound. The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) announced that these funds will go toward major upgrades such as luxury seating, cutting-edge technologies, and enhanced food and beverage services. Some theaters are even introducing non-traditional features like bowling alleys and arcades. The goal is to lure moviegoers away from at-home entertainment and deliver a premium experience that justifies the price of a theater ticket in an increasingly competitive market.
Concessions represent a huge opportunity for cinemas: 96% of moviegoers buy F&B but only 36% are satisfied
Checkout-free shopping can play a pivotal role in cinema revitalization. By integrating checkout-free tech, theaters can further elevate the premium experience they are creating, aligning with their goals to compete for consumers' hard-earned dollars. The technology automates or eliminates the major friction points of traditional concession stands: taking orders, fulfilling orders, and processing payments. Shopping times can be reduced to just 30 seconds even during peak demand. This isn't just great for business, it tackles a major frustration among many shoppers. Food and beverage is an important part of the movie experience, with 96% of moviegoers purchasing food and drinks in the past year. Today, however, only 36% of moviegoers express satisfaction with their food and beverage experience. This highlights an enormous opportunity for theaters to enhance this aspect of their business with investments.
Delights Movie-Goers: Checkout-free technology eliminates the frustration of long concession lines that can deter potential buyers. By eliminating long waits, moviegoers can enjoy their favorite snacks and drinks without missing any part of the movie. This creates a more enjoyable movie experience and encourages repeat visits. Without long wait times, overall satisfaction with theater concessions experience will skyrocket.
Enhances the Food & Beverage Experience: Upgraded theaters are putting a lot of emphasis on expanded menus. Checkout-free technology allows for more efficient service, making it easier to introduce premium, grab-and-go options that moviegoers love. It's a commonly held belief that self-service is better service, so giving guests the power to pick out their own food and drinks helps improve the overall experience and may even lead to larger average purchases.
Boosts Operator Efficiency and Cost Savings: Checkout-free technology automates transactions, making staff more efficient. Concession employees can now focus on providing exceptional customer service and quality food production instead of mindlessly working the cash register. Cinemas can lower operational costs, increase speed of service, and make employee roles more enjoyable with checkout-free.
Zippin is a leader in checkout-free technology, transforming the way people purchase food, drinks, and merchandise in high-traffic environments. Zippin’s technology has proven success at leading sports arenas and entertainment spaces around the world, where stores often serve over a thousand customers during a single event. Concession stands that convert from traditional processes to Zippin’s checkout-free platform see sales increases of 78% or higher.
Zippin’s platform allows fans to grab what they want and return to their seats without missing any of the action. Guests simply enter the store with a credit card or mobile wallet. Overhead cameras (and sometimes sensors) accurately and anonymously track purchases and automatically bill shoppers after they leave the store. There’s no need for a manual checkout process and no scanning or mobile app required. The highly flexible platform also makes it easy to integrate with loyalty systems so guests can earn and redeem rewards while shopping checkout-free.
Zippin technology is a perfect fit for cinemas, where the emphasis on an uninterrupted movie experience mirrors the fast-paced nature of live events. Moviegoers visit the theatre to catch the latest blockbuster on the big screen and to make memories with family and friends. They don’t want to waste time away from their seats. By streamlining concessions, Zippin enhances the overall experience for moviegoers, just as it has done for millions of fans at major sports and entertainment venues.
For more information on how Zippin can improve your theater’s concessions experience, contact us here.