Pompeian(R) Inc. Partners With Movie Theatres Nationwide to Swap Popcorn Butter for Olive Oil in Celebration of National Olive Oil Month

BALTIMORE, MD--(Marketwired - Aug 1, 2014) - The number one selling Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the U.S., Pompeian, Inc., is challenging consumers nationwide to put down the butter and use olive oil to celebrate National Olive Oil Month this August. In an effort to reach even the biggest butter fanatics, Pompeian is partnering with movie theatres nationwide, including select Carmike Cinemas locations, to offer Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil at concession stands as a healthy alternative to traditional movie theatre popcorn butter. In addition, Pompeian is launching the Pompeian Pledge, a call for consumers to swap butter for olive oil in everyday recipes throughout the month for a chance to win prizes.

Since there is no snack more synonymous with butter than popcorn, Pompeian is teaming up with movie theatres coast to coast to shake up the way Americans think about snacking. Select Carmike Cinemas locations nationwide and The Colonial Theatre will offer Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the first and only extra virgin olive oil to attain the USDA Quality Monitored Seal, as a popcorn topping throughout National Olive Oil Month. To make the swap at a movie theatre near you, visit participating Carmike Cinemas in Birmingham, AL, Bradenton, FL, Franklin, TN, Mount Lebanon, PA, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, Rosemont, IL, St. Petersburg, FL, Thousand Oaks, CA, Voorhees, NJ and West Palm Beach, FL or The Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA.

While the health benefits of olive oil are no secret, including no cholesterol and less saturated fat than butter, many consumers are unaware how easy it is to substitute olive oil for butter in nearly any recipe. Pompeian is calling for consumers to make the swap and take the Pompeian Pledge on Facebook for the chance to win prizes throughout National Olive Oil Month. In August, 1,000 Facebook fans who take the pledge will be randomly selected throughout the month to win a Pompeian coupon for a free 24 oz. olive oil and a movie rental redemption code.

"We're excited to show even the biggest butter fans how easy it is to switch to olive oil this month," said David Bensadoun, Pompeian, Inc. Chief Executive Officer. "Our partnership with Carmike Cinemas and The Colonial Theatre allows us to show our consumers just how simple and delicious it is to incorporate olive oil into any dish, even a traditionally buttery snack like movie theater popcorn."

Pompeian has been bringing olive oil to the American table for more than 100 years and is proud to be the only Extra Virgin Olive Oil to carry both the USDA Quality Monitored seal and the North American Olive Oil Association seal. In addition to the number one selling extra virgin olive oil, the Pompeian family contains a wide variety of products including the premium Varietals Collection, OlivExtra® line, vinegars, cooking wines and cooking sprays. 

Ready to make the swap? Check out Pompeian's butter to olive oil conversion chart at Pompeian.com/conversion. To take the Pompeian Pledge and read the full giveaway rules, visit http://pompeian.com/pledgerules/ and to learn about Pompeian's extensive product family, visit Pompeian.com.

About Pompeian, Inc.
Baltimore based since 1906, Pompeian, Inc. is America's largest national brand of olive oil, best-selling wine vinegars and a variety of cooking wines. In addition, Pompeian is the first brand to carry the USDA Quality Monitored seal on its extra virgin olive oil.

About Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. is a U.S. leader in digital cinema, 3-D cinema deployments and one of the nation's largest motion picture exhibitors. Carmike has 254 theatres with 2,680 screens in 37 states. The circuit includes 39 premium large format auditoriums featuring state-of-the-art technology and luxurious seating, including 24 "BigDs," 13 IMAX auditoriums and two MuviXL screens. As "America's Hometown Theatre Chain" Carmike's primary focus is mid-sized communities.

About The Colonial Theatre
The Association for the Colonial Theatre (ACT) was organized in 1996 and since 1998 has served as stewards of the historic Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pa overseeing over $2 million dollars in capital upgrades, providing arts programming to the community since 1999 and playing a crucial role in the revitalization of Phoenixville's downtown business district. ACT presents art and independent film, classics, family programming, concerts and many other civic and cultural events. The Association for the Colonial Theatre (ACT) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. For more information, call the Colonial at 610.917.1228 or visit our website at www.thecolonialtheatre.com