Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Revenue Benchmarks
The average theater companies and dinner theaters business in the United States generates $1.2M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 3,172 theater companies and dinner theaters businesses in the U.S., employing 29,357 workers with an average profit margin of 12.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $45K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Business Actually Do?
Theater production companies — Broadway (For-profit), regional theater (nonprofit), community theater, dinner theater. Most are 501(c)(3).
Who buys: Theater goers, tourists (Broadway), subscribers, corporate group buyers.
Average Revenue
$1.2M
per year
Profit Margin
12.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$133K
per year
Total Businesses
3,172
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$148K
small business avg
Labor Cost
40.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$45K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
1.0
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Charge?
Theater companies earn on ticket sales, subscriptions, and sponsorships. Most non-profits with donation income.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Single ticket (regional) | $25–100 |
Broadway ticket | $65–350 |
Season subscription (5 shows) | $150–800 |
Dinner theater package | $50–120 per person |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete theater companies and dinner theaters business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a theater companies and dinner theaters business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the theater companies and dinner theaters industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Production & performer costs | $14 | $178K | Talent fees, equipment rentals, production supplies, licensing/royalties. |
Wages & benefits | $40 | $493K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $10 | $118K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $5 | $59K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $19 | $237K | Insurance, ticketing fees, venue maintenance, security. |
Net profit | $12 | $148K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
15.07%
openings/year
Closure Rate
9.25%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
+7.58%
annual
Businesses Closed
653
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
12 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a theater companies and dinner theaters business do?
- Theater production companies — Broadway (For-profit), regional theater (nonprofit), community theater, dinner theater. Most are 501(c)(3). Theater goers, tourists (Broadway), subscribers, corporate group buyers.
- How much do theater companies and dinner theaters charge?
- Theater companies earn on ticket sales, subscriptions, and sponsorships. Most non-profits with donation income. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average theater companies and dinner theaters make per year?
- The average theater companies and dinner theaters business generates $1.2M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $148K per year at a 12.0% profit margin.
- How many theater companies and dinner theaters businesses are there in the US?
- There are 3,172 theater companies and dinner theaters businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 29,357 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a theater companies and dinner theaters business?
- Startup costs for a theater companies and dinner theaters business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the theater companies and dinner theaters industry?
- The average employee in the theater companies and dinner theaters industry earns $45K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The theater companies and dinner theaters industry is actively growing — adding jobs at a net rate of 7.6% per year. New establishments are opening faster than existing ones close (15.1% entry vs 9.2% exit), indicating healthy demand.
Approximately 62% of theater companies and dinner theaters businesses survive their first 5 years. This is above the national average (~50%), making it a relatively safe industry to enter. In 2023, 653 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the theater companies and dinner theaters industry earns $44,943/year. This is below the national average of ~$65K — typical for this sector. With 4,038 establishments employing 69,805 people, the typical business has about 17 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The theater companies and dinner theaters industry has grown 13% since 2000 (from 7,569 to 8,560 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters revenue with other industries: