The Fireside Inc

What The Fireside Inc does

The Fireside, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned dinner theatre complex founded in 1964 in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, currently operated by the third generation of the Klopcic family (Ryan and Kristi Klopcic since 2015). Its core product is a combined dining and Broadway-quality theatrical experience delivered in a 665-seat theatre-in-the-round, served alongside a 1,000-seat restaurant, four specialty gift shops (50,000+ items), and a dedicated online gift store. The company produces seven Broadway-licensed titles annually — including Disney's Frozen, Come From Away, and Newsies — with Artistic Director Ed Flesch (since 1978) auditioning over 1,000 New York-based professional performers each year to cast approximately 150 roles.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer and event-driven model. Revenue streams include individual dinner-theatre ticket sales ($88-$103 per person), 2-7 show season subscription packages ($161-$542), motorcoach and corporate group bookings (13+ guests at $77-$85), school matinee packages ($74.50), Christian concert events ($41.95), standalone dining (Thursday buffet $31.95, Sunday brunch $25.95, Friday Fish Fry $16.95-$21.95), gift card sales, and gift shop retail. Distribution runs through a phone-based box office (920-563-9505), the online ticket portal (sales.firesidetheatre.com), TableAgent for dining reservations, dedicated group sales staff, and a network of regional tourism partnerships (Circle Wisconsin, Greater Milwaukee CVB, Madison CVB, Lake Geneva Visitor's Bureau).

The Fireside is the only Actor's Equity dinner theatre in Wisconsin and one of few in the Midwest. Underlying technical assets include a hydraulic lift stage system (installed 1992-1993), state-of-the-art sound and lighting, a Hearing Loop accessibility system, and a two-acre physical footprint at 1131 Janesville Avenue. The company targets four primary customer segments: individual consumers (couples, families), motorcoach tour operators (Wisconsin's #1 year-round motorcoach attraction), corporate event planners (up to 800 diners), and school/youth groups. Recognition includes a Wisconsin Department of Tourism Legacy Award (2011), American Bus Association Top 100 Events in North America (2011), and a near-complete 2025 BroadwayWorld Madison Awards sweep across 19 categories.

Name

The Fireside Inc

Legal name

The Fireside, Inc.

Website

https://firesidetheatre.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Fireside, Inc. is a family-owned dinner theatre complex in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, operating a 665-seat theatre-in-the-round, 1,000-seat restaurant, and four gift shops. It produces Broadway-licensed musicals with professional NYC-cast performers, serving individual consumers, motorcoach tours, corporate groups, and schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Dinner Theatre Entertainment

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets (722514)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Supper Clubs & Dinner-Theater Restaurants (THAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Live Music Venues & Concert Bars (THAFAEAD), Cabarets & Variety Nightlife (MPAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Dinner theatre productions
• Live musical entertainment
• Broadway-caliber performances
• Specialty gift shop retail
• Group tour packages

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Atkinson

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

Revenue model

1. Dinner Theatre Ticket Sales: Combined dinner and show packages sold as individual tickets, season packages (2-7 shows), and group bookings. Dining is required for all performances. Revenue from ticket sales includes base price plus 5.5% sales tax and $6.00 facility charge per ticket.
2. Dining and Beverage Sales: Separate dining-only reservations for Fish Fry (Friday), Signature Buffet (Thursday evening), Saturday evening dining, and Sunday brunch. Additional revenue from bar drinks, soda, and optional menu upgrades. Thursday buffet is $31.95 adults, Fish Fry ranges $16.95-$21.95, Sunday brunch $25.95 adults.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Four specialty gift shops (Garden Shop, Music Shop, Country Store, Main Showplace Shop) plus online store. Features collectibles, apparel, jewelry, home decor, and show-related merchandise. Gold Pin Membership offers 10% discount on gift shop purchases.
4. Christian Concert Events: Separate concert events with dinner and show packages at $41.95 per person. Annual concert series featuring gospel and Christian music performers.
5. Gift Cards: Gift cards valid for five years, usable for season tickets, individual tickets, dining, and shopping. Available in any amount with free 1st class shipping or paid overnight delivery.
6. Celebration Packages and Special Services: Celebration packages ($25) for birthdays and anniversaries include cupcakes, photograph keepsake, two glasses of Celebration Punch, and in-theatre announcement. Gratuity and bar drinks sold separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Fireside operates a two-acre dinner theatre entertainment complex in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, providing professional Broadway-caliber musical productions performed in a 665-seat theatre-in-the-round alongside full-course dining experiences (Thursday Signature Buffet, Friday Fish Fry, Saturday dinner, Sunday Brunch). It complements live entertainment with four on-site specialty gift shops carrying 50,000+ items, gift cards valid for five years, Christian concert events, and tailored packages for motorcoach tours, corporate groups, and school matinees.

Product overview

The Fireside Dinner Theatre operates as a single-destination entertainment complex offering combined dining and Broadway-quality theatrical experiences. The core product is the dinner theatre show package, which pairs professional musical theatre productions (featuring adaptations of shows like Disney's Frozen, Come From Away, Hairspray, and The Little Mermaid) with full-course meals. Supporting offerings include four specialty gift shops, gift cards, Christian concerts, and flexible group booking options for corporate events, school trips, and motorcoach tours. The venue also operates standalone dining experiences (Friday Fish Fry, Saturday evening dining, Sunday brunch, Thursday buffet) without show requirements. Season ticket packages provide discounted multi-show access with Premier (first three weeks) and Flex (any performance) options.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dinner Theatre Broadway Shows Professional live musical theatre productions performed in a 665-seat theatre-in-the-round featuring Broadway-calibre performers in shows including Disney's Frozen, Come From Away, Hairspray, The Addams Family, A Christmas Story, and The Little Mermaid; dining is required for all performances.
• Dinner Theatre Packages Combined dining and Broadway-quality theatre ticket sold as one package across Thursday Signature Buffet, Friday Fish Fry, Saturday evening dining, and Sunday brunch show pairings.
• Season Ticket Packages Multi-show subscription packages offering discounts versus individual tickets, available as Premier (first three weeks of each show) or Flex (any performance) tiers for 2-7 shows with savings up to $180+ per person.
• Specialty Gift Shops Four on-site specialty shops (Garden Shop, Music Shop, Country Store, Main Showplace Shop) plus an online gift shop store offering collectibles, apparel, jewelry, home decor, and show-related merchandise with over 50,000 items.
• Gift Cards Prepaid gift cards valid for five years, usable for season ticket packages, individual dinner theatre tickets, dining, and shopping; available in any amount with free first-class or paid overnight shipping.
• Friday Fish Fry Friday night fish fry dining experience featuring beer-battered cod, shrimp tempura, and other seafood options available with or without show tickets; entrees range $16.95-$21.95.
• Saturday Evening Dining Fine dining on Saturday evenings featuring premium entree selections including steaks, seafood, and vegetarian options with optional four-course dinner upgrades.
• Sunday Brunch Buffet Sunday morning buffet featuring breakfast items, carved meats, seafood, and show-specific desserts available with or without matinee show packages; adults $25.95, youth 9-14 $19.95, youth 2-8 $13.95.
• Thursday Evening Signature Buffet Signature buffet on Thursday evenings featuring carved meats, fresh seafood, and rotating entrees available as dining-only or combined with evening show packages; adults $31.95, youth pricing tiers available.
• Christian Concerts Special dinner-and-show concert events featuring Christian and gospel music artists including High Road, Legacy Five, The Sound, and The Inspirations, with fish and chicken buffet at $41.95 per person plus tax.
• Group Bookings Group packages for 13 or more guests including discounted group rates ($77.50-$80.50 base per person), complimentary tickets (one free per 19 or 21 paid), motorcoach tour benefits, dedicated sales staff, and marketing materials.
• Corporate Events Customized corporate outings, holiday parties, retirement celebrations, and employee incentive programs accommodating up to 800 diners with flexible menus and event customization options.
• School and Youth Packages Educational weekday matinee theatre experiences for student groups including youth-priced meal packages ($57.95-$74.50 per student), free chaperone ratio (one per 19 paid students), and optional educational seminars on selected dates.
• Celebration Packages Special occasion add-on package ($25) for birthdays and anniversaries including Red Velvet Cupcakes, Pecan Treasures, souvenir photograph, two glasses of Celebration Punch, and an in-theatre announcement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Save up to $180.88 per person with 7-show season package vs. individual ticket pricing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jones Dairy FarmcoreOthers · 1 January 2006Co-awarded America's Best Restaurant Family distinction to the Klopcic family in 2006 along with the Culinary Institute of America. Jones Dairy Farm is a long-standing local/regional food supplier referenced in Fireside menus (Jones Cherrywood Smoked Canadian Bacon, Jones Original Sausage Links, Jones Ham, Jones Bacon).
• Holiday Inn Express Fort AtkinsonminorOthersRecommended hotel partner located 2 miles from The Fireside, offering accommodation options for out-of-town visitors. Part of Fireside's recommended hotel network for guests requiring overnight stays.
• Country Inn & Suites Fort AtkinsonminorOthersRecommended hotel partner located 2 miles from The Fireside, offering accommodation options for out-of-town visitors. Part of Fireside's recommended hotel network.
• Fort Atkinson Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerActive chamber member since 1964, supporting local tourism and community business initiatives. Promotional partner for local events and tourism development in Fort Atkinson and Jefferson County.
• Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitor BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism marketing partnership promoting The Fireside as a destination for Milwaukee-area visitors. Joint marketing efforts to attract tourists to the greater Milwaukee and southern Wisconsin region.
• Madison Convention & Visitor BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism marketing partnership promoting The Fireside as a destination for Madison-area visitors. Joint efforts to attract tourists from Wisconsin's capital region.
• Lake Geneva Visitor's BureaucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism marketing partnership promoting The Fireside as part of Lake Geneva area tourism itineraries. Attracts visitors from the upscale Lake Geneva resort region.
• Circle WisconsincoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide destination marketing organization specifically targeting motorcoach group travel industry. Critical partner for promoting The Fireside to tour operators across Wisconsin and the Midwest. Access to Gathering Groups Program for filling motorcoach capacity.
• Association of Wisconsin Tourism AttractionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide tourism association representing Wisconsin attractions. Networking, advocacy, and joint marketing initiatives to promote Wisconsin tourism statewide.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Paper Mill Playhouse: New Jersey-based Equity regional theatre producing Broadway musicals without integrated dining. Relevant as a larger incumbent also competing for licensing rights and touring-talent attention across the broader Midwest/East Coast market.
• Timber Lake Playhouse: Mount Carroll, IL summer-stock regional theatre presenting musicals. Shares the professional Broadway-touring talent pool with The Fireside but operates without the integrated dinner-theatre bundle.

Direct peers

• Arizona Broadway Theatre: Peoria, AZ dinner theatre presenting Broadway musicals with full dining service. Comparable scale and format, with similar group-sales and season-subscription programs targeting a regional customer base.
• The Wick Theatre: Boca Raton, FL professional equity dinner theatre presenting Broadway musicals in an intimate venue with dining. Comparable operating model and target use case of upscale dinner-and-show packages.
• Marriott Theatre: Lincolnshire, IL theatre-in-the-round presenting Broadway musicals with dinner options in the surrounding Marriott resort. Operates the same intimate theatre-in-the-round + dinner bundle model targeting similar regional audiences.
• Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre: Lancaster, PA dinner theatre presenting Broadway musicals alongside full-service dining and seasonal programming. A directly comparable dinner-theatre model with a similar premium tier ticket structure.
• Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse: Midwest dinner theatre in Rock Island, IL offering Broadway-caliber musicals paired with dinner service in a similar sit-down format. Directly comparable to The Fireside on the dinner-and-show model and the touring professional cast structure.
• Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre: Indianapolis-area dinner theatre presenting Broadway musicals with buffet dining. Comparable Midwest dinner theatre peer with similar season-ticket model, gift shop retail, and year-round programming.
• Drury Lane Theatre & Conferences: Long-running suburban Chicago dinner theatre combining Broadway musicals with on-site dining. Competes with The Fireside for Midwest regional dinner-theatre audiences and motors between major cities.

Regional players

• Culligan's Golden Pine Dinner Theatre: Door County, Wisconsin seasonal dinner theatre offering Broadway musicals with buffet dining. Comparable format operating within Wisconsin's tourism corridor, overlapping with The Fireside's primary Wisconsin motorcoach market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheFireside
• Facebookfacebook.com/firesidetheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-fireside-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 The Fireside Inc