Fargo Theatre

What Fargo Theatre does

Fargo Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit cinema and live-event venue operated by The Fargo Theatre Management Corporation at 314 Broadway N, Fargo, North Dakota. Founded in 1926 and remodeled in 1937 in the Art Deco style still visible today, the theatre serves the Fargo-Moorhead community with a dual-auditorium format: a main house and the 74-seat Theatre 2 used for smaller screenings, sensory-friendly programming, and private rentals. Its core products are new-release and curated independent and classic film screenings, a year-round event calendar of touring comedians and musicians (booked through an exclusive arrangement with CMoore Concerts), and three flagship programming lines — the $5 Classic Film Series, the $3 Kids' Flicks Summer Series, and the 2026 Centennial Film Series spanning 1926 to 2026. The venue's distinguishing technical assets are a 4-manual, 21-rank Wurlitzer Pipe Organ maintained by the Red River Theatre Organ Society, a Barco DP2K-20C DCP-capable digital projector with 35mm fallback, and assistive-listening equipment (audio amplification headphones, audio description, and closed-captioning receivers) for hearing- and visually-impaired patrons.

Name

Fargo Theatre

Legal name

The Fargo Theatre Management Corporation

Website

https://fargotheatre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fargo Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, 100-year-old historic Art Deco cinema and live-event venue in Fargo, North Dakota, serving the Fargo-Moorhead community with independent and classic film screenings, touring comedy and music events, and private rentals across two auditoriums.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cinema and Live-Event Venue Services

NAICS

Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Comedy Shows & Spoken-Word Events (THAJAFAC)

Keywords

• Historic cinema screenings
• Independent film exhibition
• Live event venue
• Classic film series
• Nonprofit arts venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Fargo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from movie screenings and live event tickets at varying price points; includes special film series (Classic, Centennial, Kids' Flicks) and live performances
2. Concessions: Popcorn, candy, beverages, and specialty combo offerings; includes $3 soda and popcorn birthday combo
3. Membership Program: Annual memberships providing $5 Thursday movie tickets and other perks; relies on memberships and donations to maintain historic facility
4. Donations and Capital Campaign: 501(c)(3) nonprofit relying on donations; Centennial Capital Campaign for restoration projects (pipes, projectors, HVAC, windows, security systems)
5. Facility Rentals: Theatre 2 private rentals for birthday parties ($175 package); corporate event rentals; not available for weddings or political events
6. Marquee Rentals: Personalized marquee message rentals for $75, approximately 24 hours on one side, two rows of 26 characters each
7. Popcorn Party Orders: Bulk popcorn orders in Party Bags (3,740 oz, equivalent to 22 large popcorns) for $70; advance orders required

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Fargo Theatre operates a two-auditorium historic cinema and live-event venue in downtown Fargo, North Dakota, screening independent, classic, and new-release films and hosting live comedy, music, and special-event performances. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, concessions, an annual membership program, facility rentals, popcorn bulk orders, and personalized marquee message rentals, with supplemental funding from donations and a centennial capital campaign as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Product overview

Fargo Theatre is a historic 100-year-old nonprofit cinema venue in Fargo, North Dakota, operating as a two-theatre complex with approximately 74 seats in Theatre 2. The company offers a core portfolio of movie screenings (new releases and classic films), live events (concerts, comedy shows, documentaries), and venue rentals for private events. Supporting programs include the Kids' Flicks Summer Series at $3/ticket with sensory-friendly options, the Classic Film Series at $5/screening, and the Centennial Film Series celebrating the theatre's 100th anniversary. Additional services encompass birthday party packages, popcorn party orders, personalized marquee message rentals, and a membership program offering discounted tickets. The theatre provides assistive technology including audio amplification, closed captioning receivers, and audio description headphones for patrons with accessibility needs. The venue features a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ, DCP-capable digital projection, and 35mm projection capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Movie Screenings Showing of current-release and curated films across two auditoriums with DCP digital projection, 35mm capability, assistive listening headsets, audio description, and closed captioning for hearing- and visually-impaired patrons. Sold to general audiences through the box office and online.
• Live Events

Quantifiable outcome

• 100 years of continuous operation as community arts venue
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Xcel EnergymajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Sponsor of Centennial Birthday Celebration in March 2026, supporting the theatre's 100th anniversary festivities. Xcel Energy Foundation also supports the Kids' Flicks Summer Series, demonstrating ongoing commitment to community arts programming.
• LUXE Events NDminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Event photography partner for the Roaring 20s Soiree centennial celebration. Provided black and white portrait experience with celebrity-style photos and unlimited prints as keepsakes for event guests.
• Dan Francis PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Photographer for centennial events; created limited edition print 'Fargo Theatre: Past & Present' offered as donor recognition gift at $5,000+ donation level.
• CMoore ConcertscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive booking agreement for live public shows. All performers/producers seeking to book live events (comedians, concerts, theater, dance) must contact CMoore Concerts directly. This is the primary channel for securing touring acts and live performances at the theatre.
• Red River Theatre Organ SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains the historic Wurlitzer Pipe Organ (4-Manual, 21-Rank) at the theatre. The organ features a console on an independent lift and is played during special events and screenings, adding unique value to the cinematic experience.
• Xcel Energy FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of the Kids' Flicks Summer Series 2026, enabling affordable $3 tickets for family films. Partnership supports theatre's mission of accessible community programming.
• The Silver Lining CreameryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of the Kids' Flicks Summer Series 2026, contributing to affordable family entertainment programming.
• Corporate Members (10+ local businesses)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate membership program featuring Atomic Coffee, Blackbird Wood Fire Pizza, Brew Bird, Jasper Hotel Fargo, Marge's Diner, Mezzaluna & The Drawing Room, Nova Eatery & Supper Club, O'Day Caché, Radisson Blu Fargo, and Sandy's Donuts & Coffee Shop. Benefits include marquee recognition, discounted event rentals, free popcorn, and visibility to 23,000+ social media users and 100,000+ annual visitors.
• Peter StormareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSpecial guest appearance at Centennial Film Series screening of FARGO (1996) on April 14, 2026. Actor appearance adds prestige and draw to special film screening event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Marcus Theatres: Major Midwest-based cinema chain headquartered in Milwaukee with locations including North Dakota. Comparable as a regional cinema operator competing for the same local moviegoing audience as Fargo Theatre.
• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Large cinema chain known for combined film exhibition and food/beverage service, plus repertory programming and special events. Comparable in combining cinema + live events + concessions model, though at much greater scale and as a for-profit.
• AMC Theatres: Largest U.S. movie theater chain with multiplex locations nationwide including Fargo. Comparable as cinema operator competing for the same mainstream film audience, though differentiated by scale and focus on commercial blockbusters.

Direct peers

• Enzian Theater: Orlando-area nonprofit cinema and cultural center showing independent/foreign films and hosting live events including a film festival. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) cinema with membership/donation funding and live programming.
• The Roxie Theater: San Francisco nonprofit art-house cinema operated by a community-based organization, showing independent, documentary, and repertory films. Comparable as a nonprofit, community-supported art-house cinema with curated programming.
• Coolidge Corner Theatre: Brookline, MA nonprofit single-screen art-house cinema hosting independent films, classic repertory programming, and live events. Directly comparable as a historic nonprofit cinema with diversified revenue (memberships, donations, rentals) and curated programming.
• The Belcourt Theatre: Nashville-based nonprofit arthouse cinema offering independent films, repertory screenings, and live events. Highly comparable operating model: nonprofit, community-supported, multi-screen historic venue with educational programming.
• The Brattle Theatre: Cambridge, MA nonprofit repertory cinema hosting classic and independent film series plus live events. Comparable as a nonprofit single-screen repertory venue with educational and cultural programming focus.
• The Music Box Theatre: Historic single-screen cinema in Chicago specializing in independent, foreign, and classic films with a long-running repertory film series. Comparable as a historic urban cinema focused on curated film programming.
• Tivoli Theatre (Chattanooga): Historic single-screen cinema in Chattanooga showing independent, classic, and foreign films in a restored venue. Comparable as a historic restored cinema with curated film programming and live event rentals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fargotheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fargo-theatre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fargo Theatre