The nation's theater owners were asked today by the head of a major Hollywood studio to have healthier snacks at their concession stands, in addition to their traditional offerings of candy, popcorn and soda.
In a speech at ShoWest, the nation's largest convention for the movie theater industry, Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton said, "adding healthier options to your existing menu is the right thing to do for our industry, for audiences and for our country."
Lynton said a poll of moviegoers commissioned by Sony Pictures revealed:
-- two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered;
-- forty-two percent of parents said they would buy concessions more often if healthy options were available; and
-- sixty percent of parents said having healthier snacks in theaters would enhance their overall moviegoing experience.
Lynton said he was not asking theaters to stop selling popcorn, soda and candy. "Audiences love them," he said. "I'm just talking about adding some healthier items to what you already sell."
