Popcorn is one of the most beloved snacks to enjoy at the movie theater. The smell of fresh popcorn popping fills the lobby, enticing moviegoers to get a bag or bucket to munch on while watching the latest blockbuster. Of all the major movie theater chains, Regal Cinemas is renowned for having some of the best popcorn around. But why is Regal popcorn so tasty compared to popcorn from other cinemas? There are a few key reasons.
Freshly Popped Throughout the Day
Regal prides itself on popping fresh batches of popcorn throughout the day so it’s always hot and delicious when served to customers. Employees will continually pop new popcorn to replace what’s been sitting in the warmers. Stale, cold popcorn just doesn’t taste nearly as good. Regal theaters go through a high volume of popcorn on a daily basis, ensuring a frequent rotation of fresh popcorn.
Quality Ingredients
Regal only uses premium ingredients to give their popcorn outstanding flavor. Their popcorn contains kernel varieties that have been carefully selected for their popcorn-making abilities. Additionally, the oil Regal uses is high quality and imparts a wonderful buttery taste. Many theater chains use lower quality oils that negatively affect the taste. The popcorn salt Regal uses is also finely ground to perfectly season each bite.
Proper Popping Equipment
Regal outfits all its theaters with top-of-the-line popcorn poppers designed to churn out perfectly popped popcorn every time. The kettles are seasoned over many years of use, giving the popcorn a signature taste. The poppers are powerful and robust enough to handle the high demands of a busy cinema. Weaker popcorn machines found in some theaters can burn popcorn or fail to pop it fully. Regal’s poppers pop every kernel to light, fluffy perfection.
Generous Serving Sizes
Regal proudly serves up popcorn in generous portion sizes. A Regal popcorn tub is absolutely filled to the brim with fluffy popped corn; other theaters might fill the container only halfway. Regal employees are trained to fully fill buckets and bags so that customers get plenty of popcorn for their money. The joy of getting a huge tub of scrumptious popcorn is part of the Regal moviegoing experience.
The History of Regal Popcorn
Regal Cinemas has a long, storied history of delighting moviegoers with its popcorn that spans over a century. Tracing the origins of Regal’s popcorn provides insight into why it became so popular.
Regal’s Beginnings as the Jacobs Family Theaters
The company now known as Regal Cinemas started out as a small movie house opened in 1914 by entrepreneur E.M. Jacobs in New York City. Jacobs focused on serving fresh popcorn as a key part of drawing in audiences to view silent films. As the Jacobs family opened more theaters, they continued improving their popcorn through careful kernel selection and quality cooking oils.
Continued Growth Through the Decades
Over the following decades, the Jacobs family aggressively expanded their theater chain across the East Coast and Midwest. They modernized their popcorn operations by installing specialized popcorn machinery in all their lobbies. Even as theaters evolved to show talkies, color movies, and more, the Jacobs’ popcorn recipe and preparation methods stayed beloved constants.
The Birth of Stadium Seating
In the early 1960s, the Jacobs pioneered “stadium seating,” sloping their theaters so that every seat had an unobstructed view. To accommodate larger crowds, they increased popcorn production capabilities. Their expanded popcorn popping kettles could churn out bag after bag to satisfy hungry movie fans. Jacobs popcorn became a key part of the stadium seating theater experience.
Acquisitions and Rebranding as Regal Cinemas
As the theater industry went through mergers and acquisitions in the late 1990s, Regal Cinemas emerged in 2002 as the successor to the Jacobs company, combining it with other regional chains. Regal retained the proprietary popcorn recipes and cooking methods that made Jacobs popcorn a legend in its theaters. Regal continues using time-honored popcorn preparation traditions in modern times.
Popcorn Preparation Process
The detailed steps Regal Cinemas takes to make their popcorn so tasty reveals why it satisfies customers. Regal has refined their popcorn process over their 100+ years in business.
Choosing the Best Kernels
Not all popcorn kernels are equal. Regal sources special varieties that have been bred to contain just the right amount of moisture and hull thickness. This ensures the kernels will pop fully into light, crunchy popcorn when heated. Regal contracts trusted kernel suppliers who provide consistent quality.
Seasoning the Popping Kettles
Regal uses old-fashioned stainless steel popcorn kettles that have been carefully seasoned over many years of use. The kettles are oiled and heated to temper the steel, creating an ideal non-stick surface. Seasoned kettles lend popcorn a signature taste.
Measuring Out Portions
Employees scoop out precisely portioned amounts of kernels from special holding containers and pour them into the heated kettle. The right kernel amount produces fully popped batches without unpopped kernels.
Cooking the Kernels
As the kernels heat up, they reach their popping point and transform into fluffy white popcorn. Regal kettles are engineered to circulate the popcorn and evenly cook every kernel. The popcorn tumbles around continuously until the batch is finished.
Topping with Butter and Salt
When the popping is complete, the freshly made popcorn is poured into a seasoning tumbler. As the popcorn tumbles, it is misted with melted butter and sprinkled with fine ground salt for flavoring. This evenly coats every morsel.
Serving Hot and Fresh
The finished popcorn is immediately scooped into bags and buckets which are quickly handed to hungry patrons. Serving it right away means customers are ensured the freshest, crispiest popcorn possible. Any popcorn left sitting too long is discarded.
Unique Popcorn Flavors
Beyond its original buttered popcorn, Regal has debuted over the years special flavors that keep customers coming back for more. They are created by adding extra seasonings and ingredients during the preparation process.
Cheese Popcorn
This indulgent popcorn variety is dusted with an extra helping of a cheese powder blend as it tumbles in the seasoning tumbler. Sharp cheddar and nacho cheese flavors give this popcorn extra richness and decadence.
Kettle Corn
Regal makes kettle corn by adding extra white sugar to the tumbler along with the salt. It caramelizes on the hot popcorn for a sweet, salty flavor.
CaramelCrisp Popcorn
For sweet popcorn lovers, this is tossed in creamy caramel then topped with crispy caramel crunches. The combination of tastes and textures is hard to resist.
Triple Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
An extra generous portion of cheddar cheese powder gives this popcorn intense cheesy flavor. Sharp, savory, and addictive.
Jalapeño Popcorn
Spicy and bold, this popcorn gets seasoned with tangy jalapeño powder and flakes for a fiery kick. The spiciness is balanced by the butter.
Cinnamon Toast Popcorn
Cinnamon sugar gives this popcorn a taste similar to the classic breakfast treat. Sweet cinnamon combines with salty popcorn wonderfully.
Nutritional Information
Popcorn can be a healthy snack option, especially when prepared without too much butter and salt. Here’s how Regal popcorn stacks up nutrition-wise:
| Popcorn Variety | Calories (per cup) | Total Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original | 60 | 3 | 1 | 290 |
| Cheese | 110 | 4.5 | 2 | 380 |
| Kettle Corn | 100 | 3 | 1 | 300 |
| CaramelCrisp | 140 | 5 | 2.5 | 275 |
| Triple Cheddar | 120 | 5 | 2 | 450 |
| Jalapeño | 60 | 3 | 1 | 295 |
| Cinnamon Toast | 100 | 3 | 1 | 290 |
Low Calories
A standard 1 cup serving of Regal popcorn ranges from 60-140 calories depending on variety. This makes it a fairly low calorie snack compared to other movie treats like candy.
Low Fat
The small amount of canola oil Regal pops its corn in adds just 3-5 grams of fat per serving. The fat content is relatively low and mostly unsaturated fat.
High Fiber
Popcorn is a whole grain food and provides beneficial dietary fiber. A serving has 2-4 grams of fiber.
Sodium to Be Aware Of
Due to the butter and salt toppings, Regal popcorn does contain a high amount of sodium ranging from 275-450 mg per cup. Those on a low-sodium diet should be mindful of this.
Movie Theater Popcorn Trends
As moviegoing tastes evolve, Regal keeps up with new innovations to satisfy changing consumer desires when it comes to theater popcorn:
Artisanal Popcorn
Regal and other theaters are exploring using high-end coconut oil, avocado oil, truffle oil, and other options to give their popcorn a gourmet flair. Unique sea salts are also being tested.
Popcorn Seasoning Bars
Self-seasoning bars allow customers to customize popcorn with specialty spices like garlic parmesan or sriracha. This caters to individual tastes.
Freshly Baked Popcorn
Baking popcorn at the theater rather than microwaving it results in a crisper texture. Some Regal locations now have fresh baked popcorn.
Toppings Bars
Moviegoers can jazz up their popcorn with fun toppings like nuts, candies, spices, and dried fruits at ample topping bars. This allows for snack experimentation.
Alternative Snack Pairings
Rather than traditional candy, theaters now sell popcorn alongside trendy snacks like pickles, jerky, or spicy chips to satisfy more diverse tastes.
The Regal Popcorn Experience
Regal popcorn has become an integral part of the total moviegoing experience over the decades. There are many intangibles beyond taste that make it special.
A Movie Menu Staple
It’s nearly unthinkable to watch a movie without a tub of popcorn in your lap. Popcorn and a movie go hand-in-hand as an American pastime.
An Enticing Lobby Treat
The aroma of fresh Regal popcorn filling the lobby is an instant mood lifter. Seeing employees scoop the fluffy popcorn makes it impossible not to order some.
Sharing Popcorn Together
Popcorn fosters social bonding – whether splitting a tub with your family or reaching over for a handful from your friend’s bucket.
The Popcorn Parade
There’s something fun about waiting in line for popcorn surrounded by the excited pre-movie buzz in the lobby. It builds anticipation.
Popcorn Nostalgia
Many adults fondly remember enjoying popcorn at their local movie theater as kids. The taste now evokes happy nostalgia.
Why Regal Popcorn is So Good: Conclusion
Regal Cinema’s popcorn is the gold standard due to the care that goes into its preparation using nearly a century of popcorn-making know-how. Premium ingredients, quality popping equipment, and proprietary cooking methods produce irresistibly fresh, hot, crunchy popcorn. It’s also shaped by intangible nostalgic factors that make eating popcorn an integral moviegoing tradition. When the lights go down in the theater, crinkling open a tub of Regal’s popcorn makes the movie magic complete.