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HTmarket.com's staff has been out and about in Chicago, Illinois looking for popcorn machines. That's right - we're hunting popcorn machines. Why? We're looking for unique and interesting ways popcorn machines are being used in everyday settings. Who uses them? Why do they buy them?
We've summarized what we've seen and found popcorn machines being used in a surprisingly wide variety of places, from homes and schools to gas stations, bowling alleys, hotels and airports. These sightings also line up closely with the types of customers who purchase popcorn machines from HTmarket.
Popcorn machines are something of a Swiss Army knife of snack equipment. They can be used to make money, provide a perk, support fundraising, entertain guests or simply make a room more fun. Here are some of the places we've seen them in action.
We've been in many homes with popcorn machines. The biggest reasons are simple: they make good popcorn and they look great. The most common locations are home theaters, bar areas and game rooms, with the basement being the place we see them most often.
We've seen popcorn machines used at school sporting events, fairs and fundraisers. Popcorn is inexpensive to make, easy to sell and popular with kids, which makes a popcorn machine a useful fundraising tool.
We've seen more popcorn machines in banks than you might expect. Banks use free popcorn as an inexpensive way to create a friendlier atmosphere for customers. It costs less than many other giveaways, and the smell certainly gets people's attention.
Popcorn machines are common in retirement communities and senior living facilities. They work well for movie nights, social events and other activities where residents gather together.
We've seen popcorn machines in hotel bars, pantries and even lobbies. Some hotels sell popcorn, while others give it away as an inexpensive guest perk. After paying for the room, free popcorn isn't a bad bonus.
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Give people free popcorn, make them thirsty and sell more drinks. We fall for it every time. Popcorn is also less messy than peanuts at the end of the night.
Many newer apartment buildings have common areas, TV rooms and full home theater rooms. A popcorn machine is a natural fit for these spaces and is often offered as a free amenity for residents.
Country clubs, golf clubs, Rotary Clubs, VFW halls and Elks Clubs all use popcorn machines. In many cases, the popcorn is free for members. You pay the dues for the privilege.
Condo buildings often have popcorn machines in common areas where residents can snack while socializing, watching movies or arguing about the latest condo assessment.
Yes, we've seen popcorn machines in gas stations too. The idea is simple: you're already there buying gas, so why not buy a bag of fresh popcorn while you're at it?
Ice rink concession stands are a natural home for popcorn machines. They sell popcorn at a premium during games, practices and public skating sessions.
The same rule applies here. People spend a long time at a bowling alley, so popcorn is an easy snack to sell. Buy low, sell high.
This is Economics 101. People can spend hours putting around a miniature golf course. Sell them popcorn, then sell them drinks. After all, popcorn makes people thirsty.
All kinds of ballparks sell popcorn. Some use prepackaged popcorn, but we still prefer the stadiums that make it fresh. The smell is part of the experience.
This one is obvious, but we like to restate the obvious. Popcorn and movies simply belong together. Theaters mark it up quite a bit, although amusement parks may have them beat.
We've even seen popcorn machines at car washes. Buy a wash, get free popcorn. Work there, get free popcorn. The bottom line is that somebody gets popcorn.
Museums, zoos, planetariums and other family attractions frequently use popcorn machines. If there are families and kids at a venue, there's a good chance somebody is selling popcorn.
Concession sales are a major part of the amusement park business, and popcorn fits right in. Prices tend to be high, but parks also have plenty of overhead. Our advice: don't try eating popcorn on a roller coaster. Someone is going to wear it.
Popcorn is sold by concession operators in many major airports. Travelers have time to kill, popcorn is easy to eat and it usually leads to the purchase of an airport-priced drink.
Same basic idea as airports. People waiting to travel are natural customers for quick, inexpensive snacks like popcorn.
This list was compiled by the staff of HTmarket.com based on places we've personally seen popcorn machines in use and the types of customers who have purchased them from us over the years.
Have you seen a popcorn machine being used somewhere we missed? Email us at popcorn@htmarket.com and we may add it to the list.
Whether it's for a home theater, school, club, concession stand or business, HTmarket can help you choose the right kettle size and machine style for your application.
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