Restaurant, Bar and Theater: More Refined than Sour Patch Kids
- Posted by Peter on July 21st, 2007 filed in Entertainment, Food and beverage, Retail
Business Opportunity:
Low cost movies bring in the crowds then…sell, sell, sell
In my college days in the U.S. a favorite hangout was the Baghdad Cafe. The Baghdad charged $1 US for admittance to movies (it’s now $3 US) and made the bulk of their money by selling pizza, popcorn and and pitchers of their own house brewed beer to moviegoers. The Baghdad kept their licensing costs down by waiting to screen movies until about six months after their initial release and screening popular movies or classics from years past. However, they rarely had any problem drawing in the crowds. The Baghdad is owned and operated by McMenamins, a microbrewery and owner of several distinctive drinking and eating establishments and hotels in the state of Oregon.
http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=9&id=177
I’ve always been puzzled by why this model isn’t more widespread in the U.S. Presumably zoning and licensing regulations play a role. Perhaps there’s an opportunity in Bucharest to take advantage of less stringent zoning requirements and launch a similar business. Space requirements are significant for a theater but the Baghdad did fine with just one screen and a location suitable for a restaurant and bar.
Written by Peter
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