Boxoffice-April.07.1958

per cent. This means one part oil to three
parts corn. If your machine has a 12-oz.
kettle, you should use 4 ounces of oil: a 16-
oz. kettle. 5 '3 ounces oil: 18-oz. kettle, 6
ounces of oil, and a 32-oz. kettle. 10 to 11
ounces of oil. I cannot emphasize too
strongly the importance oil has to good
tasting and properly popped corn.
Some may want to know how much seasoning
salt to u.se, and a "rule of the
thumb" is three-fourths ounce to one ounce
per pound of raw corn for the average
taste. Some may prefer more, but it is not
desirable to use too much salt to increase
beverage sales. This will decrease popcorn
sales.
THE HEAT TREATMENT
Another excellent method of improving
the taste and acceptability of corn is dehydration
of the popped kernel; or as we
refer to it circulating heat — which is
standard equipment on our machines. As
you know, popped corn absorbs the moisture
in the air like a sponge which results in a
tough, tasteless product. This is especially
true of drive-in theatres and areas where
the humidity is high. But the right method
of filtering warm air through the popped
corn eliminates this problem, resulting in
a hot, tender, and crisp corn.
May I emphasize this method as an excellent
way to give your customers a better
product and a sure boost to your popcorn
sales. If you are not using circulating
heat in your indoor houses, and especially
the drivc-in theatres, please don't wait
any longer to make the change. You won't
be sorry.
I will briefly touch on several other factors
that are important to popping good
corn:
1. Our tests have shown the best popping
time for a charge of corn is about
2'4 to 2'2 minutes. But never under two
minutes, nor over tliree minutes, as
either extreme will reduce expansion and
affect the taste.
2. Thermostats are merely a safety device—at
least on our machines—and do
not need any ad.justing. The thermostat
will break the circuit at 500° in the event
the machine is left on by mistake with
the kettle empty, but the kettle is too
hot to pop corn and the machine should
be cut off and allowed to cool.
3. Do not preheat a Cretors kettle. It is
not necessary.
KNOW KETTLE CAPACITY
4. With the exception of the first popping,
do not reduce the charge of corn
under the capacity of the kettle on our
machines. Know the capacity of your
kettle, and if it calls for 18 ounces of
corn, use 18 ounces; and 32 if it calls for
32 ounces.
5. Make sure your machine is getting the
right amount of current, if electric: or
gas pressure, if gas operated. This is essential
for efficient
popping.
G. To prevent breakage of the popped
kernels, leach your personnel to use the
popcorn ,scoop .sparingly. This prevents
waste and lost profits.
May I summarize briefly by encouraging
you to sell the very best popped com
at all times. This is possible by using good
equipment with the latest improvements.
using the right amount of oil, and eliminating
the moisture problem by circulating
and — most important — per.sonally
heat:
checking your per.sonnel frequently to see
that these few essential steps are taken.
ROUTINE DAILY TESTS
We do not profess to be experts in the
popcorn business, but Cretors has made
popcorn machines for 73 years. We manufacture
the Official Weight Volume Tester
for the popcorn industry, and it's part of
everyday routine to make tests and to
check all types of hybrid corn, popping oil,
and popping equipment. It is part of our
responsibility to the industry to develop
better ways of popping and serving popcorn.
Therefore, the suggestions I have made
to you today are not a matter of opinion,
but are the methods proven best over a
great many years by tests and experiences.
I believe these suggestions about popcorn
will make you more money and at the same
time give your customers the best product
possible. Popcorn is our business, and we
are anxious for you to profit by our experiences.
Your greatest profit item
is POPCORN, your greatest
profit potential is with
MANLEY'S
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Merchandising
Program
Every theaterman knovifs the importance of popcorn sales in his profit
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Why not let Manley's Sales Promotion Staff show you how they can increase
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BOXOFFICE :; April 7, 1958 37