What new policy has Alamo Drafthouse implemented regarding phone use?

Alamo Drafthouse will now require customers to use their mobile phones to order food and drinks, even during movie screenings, starting next month.

Why are Alamo Drafthouse fans upset about the new phone policy?

Fans and industry figures believe the new policy contradicts the cinema's long-standing "Don't Talk. Don't Text" ethos, introducing distractions and potentially damaging the brand's unique, disturbance-free experience.

How many signatures does the petition against the new Alamo Drafthouse policy have?

A petition urging Alamo Drafthouse to reconsider its new mobile ordering policy has garnered over 5,000 signatures.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Alamo Drafthouse Bans Phones During Movies, Angers Fans

Alamo Drafthouse Bans Phones During Movies, Angers Fans

2 Feb

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Summary

Alamo Drafthouse will require mobile ordering during films.
Fans and industry figures condemn the shift as antithetical to the brand.
A petition with 5,000 signatures urges the chain to reconsider.

Alamo Drafthouse Bans Phones During Movies, Angers Fans

Alamo Drafthouse is facing significant backlash following the announcement of a new mobile ordering policy that will require customers to use their phones during movie screenings. This shift, set to begin next month, replaces a decades-old system of handwritten orders. The company's CEO, Michael Kustermann, stated the change aims for a "smoother, more responsive experience without added distraction," a claim widely disputed by fans and critics.

Loyal customers and prominent figures like actor Elijah Wood have expressed strong disapproval, calling the decision "antithetical to the ethos of the Alamo." The Austin Film Critics Association issued a statement highlighting how the "Don't Talk. Don't Text" policy was foundational to the chain's success. Concerns have also been raised about staff being forced to police phone usage and the potential for piracy.