Trusted Skilled Capable Popcorn Manufacturer
Finding the right popcorn co-manufacturer, or co-packer, is critical.
The Silver Screen Snack Company is a privately held Utah-based LLC. We’ve been popping popcorn since 2014 (originally as Water Gardens Confections, LLC) and, formally, a popcorn manufacturing company since 2016.
Silver Screen Snacks is a “medium-sized” regional popcorn manufacturer. Our history and experience tell us that we will be a good fit for some customers and projects, but not for every brand owner, company, or chain looking for manufacturing support. We focus on knowing exactly who we are, what we can do, who we are not, and what we cannot do. Nothing is more frustrating and costly than discovering something is misaligned mid-project. Like most, we appreciate stretch goals and projects, and we are always looking to expand and grow… but not at the expense of our customers or their brands.
Our first facility was a 9-foot by 12-foot kitchen in a small town movie theater (Water Gardens Cinema 6, Pleasant Grove, Utah). Those first batches were popped in two 32-oz Cretors Presidential concession-style kettles. With a small crew comprised of family and friends, production began. Every kernel of popcorn was sifted, bagged, and packaged by hand. That first sale of kettle corn was to a small independent grocer a few miles from the theater. Sales picked up from the back of a Ford F250 pickup, and soon, an enclosed trailer joined the team. Cases of product were moved directly to the trailer as there was no space for finished goods in the lobby. In time, the trailer was replaced with a 26-foot box truck, and a complete DSD program was developed.
One grocer to the next, one chain to the next, led that founding team to finally have enough momentum to be placed in a large grocer's distribution center. After gaining the attention of those same grocers, the first private label project was born. Production moved to a larger facility quickly, and more equipment was added to speed up production. The second, third, and fourth comanufacturing customers and products came on board.
The catalyst for the formation of the Silver Screen Snacks Company was the downturn in the movie business brought on by COVID. It became clear that they needed to separate if the theater and popcorn businesses were to survive long-term. In November 2020, Water Gardens Confections ceased operations. The popcorn operation/company was re-born as The Silver Screen Snack Company, LLC (Silver Screen Snacks) with Russ Robinson still leading the way (the founder of Water Gardens Confections, LLC) and a new partner team.
As fortune would have it, the company grew during COVID-19, as friends, families, and customers all across the West endured the impacts of COVID-19, watching movies at home and eating our popcorn. By November 2023, our facility could no longer support the growth, so we designed and commissioned a new state-of-the-art facility (Lindon, Utah). This new facility also allowed more automation and greater efficiencies.
Little did we know and appreciate how fundamental those initial years (experiences and hard lessons) as a brand owner would be for us as a co manufacturer. We have made a concerted effort to avoid “drinking our own kool-aid” and remain teachable and coachable as we have grown. With careful reflection, we can see clearly the good, bad, and ugly decisions. With every customer and project, we ask, “How would we approach this, if this were our brand?”
Here is the “bottom line” as we see it:
We are a medium-sized / “right-sized” manufacturing facility specializing in ready-to-eat popcorn.
We are very experienced in forming and filling Big Bags. Many of our initial projects were for very large (24oz) popcorn bags.
We made a technical commitment to make it possible to apply a stay-fresh zipper to the bag. - A value add.
We are looking to grow our business. It’s simple. We have capacity.
We are seeking those who are looking for a competent co-manufacturing partner.
Our location (crossroads of the west) represents a viable and value-driven solution.
Balance & Competent—We believe you are looking for a production partner who knows what they are doing and can convey knowledge and expertise to support you.
Staying Power - Your search includes a partner who will be there for you today and tomorrow.
These attributes and characteristics represent credibility.
We invite you to read “Our Story” to learn more about our history. For more information and to review what really makes us tick, read " What Matters Most.”
All The Best…..
Russ Robinson
CEO / Co-Founder - The Silver Screen Snack Company, LLC