The Los Angeles Dodgers are betting that several thousand of their fans will stomach steep price increases for some of the worst seats in the stadium in return for being able to eat all the hot dogs,
peanuts, popcorn, nachos and soda they can handle. Tickets range from $20 to $40 apiece.
The all-you-can-eat model has been a staple in the casino and cruise industries for years, but
more recently, it has spread into other realms, including amusement parks. In some cases, it serves as a loss leader--casinos, for example, use it as a way to get people in the door so they will drop
money at the gaming tables. And for plenty of restaurants, buffet-style dining is profitable because in many cases, diners' eyes are bigger than their stomachs.
The Dodgers say they
expect their new venture to make money at some point. Even if it doesn't, the fans are spending money on parking, merchandise and even additional food and drinks. The ticket package doesn't include
beer, candy or ice cream.
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