This week, a US District Court in the Eastern District of Texas denied Cinemark’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit it faces over deceptive beer pricing. The lawsuit, which was filed by a Cinemark moviegoer in April 2024, alleges that Cinemark knowingly listed a 24-ounce container of beer on its menu that could only hold a maximum of 22 ounces.
The suit is caught up in legal arguments over whether it can be pursued as a class action, with the complaint alleging that Cinemark customers in many states were impacted by the exhibitor’s “deceptive” practices. In addition, any federal suit filed under the Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) must prove that a minimum of $5 million in damages was suffered, which Cinemark’s attorneys are contesting.
The court gave the complainant 14 days to justify the damage amount and provide a further description of the scope of the “class” that was impacted. Without additional evidence, the judge could rule that any damages were below the $5 million threshold, which would invalidate the legal foundation for the claim in federal court, resulting in an effective win for Cinemark.
Revenue from concession sales is an increasingly important element of the business model of exhibitors, with many theatres offering more options to their customers, including beer, wine, full bar, and food choices. While having those options is appreciated by many consumers, their pricing and value are also points of much discussion.














