Reply #1: If you can get into an independent distribution chain [View All]

you might be in luck. If not, you would be screwed. I worked in a movie chain years ago and it was a brutal bidness then. Our small chain, by no means what you would call an independent, had a hard time getting good bookings. I've heard good stuff about some consortiums to use a net of independents to get the best bookings.

There are some classic examples of indie houses that have succeeded - I think there are a few billion that have failed.

If you were starting from the ground up I think you would be years to turning profit - if you can find an existing theatre you might be able to make it go. I know of one theatre in a small town that managed to find grant funds to re-open an old theatre, refurbished it with state of the art equipment and sound and has made quite a go of it. They could do it because it helped to revive a dying town and there was money in Clinton years to do so.

Good luck.

edit - Carmike would also make you life hell. They are pretty anti-competitive.