The Exhibitor (1953)

EP-4 EXTRA PROFITS Sharp, Levenson On Board (Harold Sharp, the Coca-Cola Com¬ pany, New York, and Leon J. Leven¬ son, American Theatres Corporation, Boston, and chairman. Theatre Owners of America concessions committee, have been added to the advisory board of EXTRA PROFITS.— Ed.) Cretors Offers Drive-In Machine Chicago — A new CRETORS drive-in model popcorn machine, featuring two elevators with forced air circulating heat and a new automatic seasoning pump, was unveiled at the TESMA trade show re¬ cently by Cretors Corporation, national sales organization for C. Cretors and Company, popcorn machine manufacturer. The new model was also displayed at the Cretors booth at the NAPM convention. H. E. Chrisman, director of sales, Cre¬ tors Corporation, announced that the new machine is especially designed for pop¬ corn operations, such as drive-ins, where fast action and extra capacity storage space for popped corn are required. The two elevator wells provide storage space, heated by circulating warm air to keep stored popcorn fresh, hot, and crisp, for more than 200 boxes of popcorn ready to sell. Chrisman pointed out that the two elevators make it possible for operators to keep plenty of corn boxed, 100 boxes, in one elevator, and sufficient popped corn to fill 125 to 150 boxes in the other elevator. ABC Profit Increases New York — Reflecting larger sales, net income of the ABC Vending Corporation for the 43 weeks to last Oct. 26 increased to $1,147,552 from $869,650 earned in the corresponding period of the previous year, it was learned recently. 'ITie profit, which is after $1,080,678 taxes and which includes a special credit of $109,610, equal to 11 cents a share, and representing prior year’s depreciation ad¬ justment less taxes, is equal to $1.22 a share. The net for the previous year equaled 92 cents a share, and is after $907,811 tax deductions. Sales for the 43 weeks increased to $35,741,457 from the $33,057,279 volume a year ago. Automatic Keeps Converting New York— The Automatic Canteen Company of America, which has already converted a portion of its automatic candy vending machines from five cent items to 10 cent items, is planning to increase the rate of conversion of the remaining five cent vendors, it was learned recently. Increased sales from its recently formed subsidiary, Colony Club Confections, Inc., is expected to increase Automatic’s profit in the near future. Colony distributes hard candies, fruit cakes, and miniature choco¬ lates in the eastern part of the country. Sam Rich Elevated New York — The election of Sam E. Rich as vice-president, The Sweets Company of America, Inc., was announced recently by William B. Rubin, president. Rich has been sales manager for many years, in charge of sales promotion of Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Candies, and Tootsie Fudge’n Frosting Mix. Dari-Delife Offers Theatres Opportunities For More Profit A new opportunity for theatres, conventional and drive-in, to increase their off-the-screen profits is now being offered by Dari-Delite, Rock Island, Ill. In addition to the sale of Dari-Delite by open airers during their regular hours and as a daytime operation on land adjacent to the drive-in so that passing traffic may be attracted, there are also possibilities for conventional theatres with adjacent parking lots or any space at all to add to their concessions grosses. One striking development in the growth of drive-ins in this country has been the initiative of the open airer owners to expand with an eye toward making the most out of their opportunities. In this connection, the possibilities of profits from Dari-Delite operation are worth considering. Dari-Delite is a soft frozen, creamy dairy product, made from a special and distinctive formula that sets it apart from other products in the fast growing soft ice cream industry, now doing $500,000,000 a year business in the United States, Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and South America. It is sold by franchised dealers, from attractive, brightly lighted stores of copyrighted design. Each dealer has an exclusive franchise in his community. He sells Dari-Delite in cones, sundaes, cups, malted milks, and shakes, and also bulk in pints, quarts, and half-gallons. The mix is prepared by local dairies from a special formula provided by the company, and, after 10 minutes in the freezer, is ready to serve. Here is a typical Dari-Delite stand in operation. With certain modifications, this is the sort of a stand that can be used by drive-ins and conventional theatres which have space. The price of everything needed for a Dari-Delite operation, exclusive of building, is $5,000. This price includes all equipment, plus consideration for the lease of the Dari-Delite patented continuous freezer. The cost of the building will vary from $4,000 to $6,000, depending upon the material and labor market in each community. A company representative will furnish, without cost, the necessary architect’s blueprints of the copyrighted design. Actual stoie operation is easy and interesting, handling and storage of supplies are simplified, production and vending are simple, streamlined, and efficient, and no experienced help is required. Seasons vary from six to 12 months, depending upon local conditions, and successful Dari-Delite operations are now earning from $5,000 to several times that each season. The average gross income per gallon of mix is $4, with an average net profit of $2. A seasonal sale of 500 10-gallon cans will result in a net profit of $5,000 to $6,000, so it is evident that a single season’s operation can equal or surpass the cost of the original investment. The freezers are set for 35 to 45 per cent overrun, but royalty is paid the company only on the actual gallonage of mix bought. Payment of royalties entitles the dealer to the use of the patented, perfected formula, substantial savings through group buying of all supplies, and benefits from national adver¬ tising of Dari-Delite and its registered, copyrighted trade name. If additional information is desired, Dari-Delite, Inc., 1524 Fourth Avenue, Rock Island, Ill., will furnish it. EXHIBITOR February 11, 1953