Is It Illegal to Bring Your Own Snacks Into a Movie Theater?

Movie Theater|Theater

Bringing your own snacks into the movie theater is a long standing tradition for many movie goers. It’s a great way to save money on concessions and sometimes even more enjoyable than the overpriced, sometimes stale popcorn or candy in the theater. But is it illegal to bring your own snacks into a movie theater?

The answer is, it depends. Different theaters have different policies when it comes to bringing your own snacks and food into their theaters.

Some theaters have no restrictions whatsoever and allow patrons to bring any food they like. Other theaters, however, do not allow outside food at all due to health and safety regulations.

The biggest issue for theaters when it comes to patrons bringing their own snacks is that it takes away from the revenue generated from concession sales. Many people choose to bring their own snacks because they are cheaper than what the theater offers or because they prefer certain types of snacks not offered at the theater. This means that the theater is losing out on potential revenue.

There are also issues of health and safety regulations in some areas which may restrict what types of food can be brought into a theater. For example, some states have laws banning outside food in theaters due to concerns about contamination or cross-contamination.

Bottom Line:

In most cases, bringing your own snacks into a movie theater is perfectly legal as long as you follow local laws and regulations regarding food safety. However, some theaters may prohibit outside food entirely so it’s always best to check with your local theater before bringing any snacks with you.