Movie Theater Chains Boost Profits by Delivering Snacks Directly to Homes
Leawood, Monday, 7 September 2026.
AMC Theatres achieved a 50% surge in home delivery sales by offering concessions on delivery apps, transforming traditional theater snacks into a lucrative direct-to-consumer market.
AMC Expands Direct-to-Consumer Snack Delivery
AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AMC) is aggressively expanding its off-premise concession sales through third-party food delivery platforms, marking a strategic shift to capture high-margin revenue beyond traditional box office receipts [1]. During the week of 2026-08-31 to 2026-09-06, the theater chain expanded its delivery partnerships to include Grubhub, joining existing collaborations with DoorDash and Uber Eats [2]. This expansion allows customers to order popular items like popcorn and specialized snacks for home delivery, transforming traditional movie theater concessions into a standalone revenue driver [3]. Currently, these food delivery services are available in approximately 400 of AMC’s 850 total global locations, indicating a significant but selective rollout strategy [1].
Financial Performance and Record-Breaking Revenue
The push into delivery complements a period of robust financial performance for the exhibitor. In the first six months of 2026, AMC generated $923.4 million in food and beverage revenue, reflecting an 18 percent year-over-year increase based on financial filings [2]. This growth trajectory was highlighted during the weekend of 2026-07-31, when AMC reported record-breaking revenue driven by major film releases including The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Toy Story 5 [3]. During that specific weekend, the company hosted over 10 million global visitors, marking the highest-ever revenue weekend for both admission and food and beverage sales in the company’s history [1]. The concession delivery segment specifically reported a nearly 50 percent year-over-year increase in sales, generating multi-millions in revenue during the late summer period [2].
Competitive Landscape and Menu Diversification
AMC is not alone in this pivot, as competitors Cinemark, Regal, and Alamo Drafthouse also offer food delivery services at select locations, signaling an industry-wide trend [3]. To differentiate its offering, AMC has introduced specific items for takeaway, such as a MegaBag served with butter on the side, alongside menu expansions including popcorn chicken and hot honey sausage pizza [2]. Market analysis indicates that this expansion into food delivery services is creating new competition for traditional restaurants, challenging the conventional synergy where high ticket sales typically boost on-site dining traffic [1]. Popcorn remains the top-selling delivery item, leveraging the brand’s association with the cinematic experience even outside the theater [3].
Current Promotions and Consumer Incentives
To maintain momentum following the summer season, AMC is hosting a Labor Day Gift Card Flash Sale on 2026-09-07, offering a $10 discount on a $50 gift card purchase [4]. This promotion represents a 20 percent savings for customers, designed to encourage future attendance and concession spending [4]. Additionally, verification of delivery availability shows active listings on platforms like Grubhub, where locations such as AMC Theatres Hampden 8 offer delivery with specific service fees and promotional deals like $5 off $20 orders [5]. These incentives aim to sustain consumer engagement as the industry moves beyond the peak summer moviegoing period [4].