dine-in

Executives hope the dine-in theaters will also benefit from higher food margins, although not as high as for snacks.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

IPic Entertainment, which acquired Gold Class Cinemas last year, recently opened its eighth dine-in cinema in Scottsdale, Ariz., and plans to open another five to six theaters a year.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

At dine-in cinemas, seats typically come in pairs of two, with wide aisles between couples to allow waiters to navigate in and out the theater during screenings without blocking views of the movie.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

The retired legal secretary wanted to catch "The Fighter" — the new Mark Wahlberg movie about boxing — during the Christmas holidays but was surprised to find a $10 surcharge for the dine-in experience.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

Hamid Hashemi , iPic Entertainment's chief executive and founder, says dine-in theaters, although still a niche market now, could become mainstream especially as audiences clamor for a higher-end experience.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

It's too soon to know whether dine-in theaters will be profitable.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

Many dine-in theaters have some age restrictions; some don't allow anyone under 21 years old.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

AMC's Mr. Lopez says the company's research shows that most customers don't mind the higher cost of dine-in theaters.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

Arlene Evangelista , 69, was upset when she visited AMC's renovated dine-in theater in nearby Edison, N.J.

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011

A comparison of some items at AMC's dine-in theaters and Applebee's restaurant

Double Feature: Dinner and a Movie Lauren A. E. Schuker 2011