NAICS 711110 Quarterly Industry Report
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 711110Sector: Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
Fair Market Value compiles this NAICS 711110 industry report using data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], the Bureau of Labor Statistics[7], and the Small Business Administration[9]. Our research team analyzes ticket revenue, subscription renewal rates, and production cost structures to build valuation benchmarks for theater operations. This report on NAICS 711110 is updated quarterly to reflect audience trends and seasonal box office performance.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the theater companies and dinner theaters industry.
NAICS Sector
71
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Industry Definition & Overview
Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (NAICS 711110) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in producing live theatrical presentations, including plays, musicals, operas, and dinner theater performances. These companies may operate their own performance venues or tour to rented facilities. Revenue comes from ticket sales, season subscriptions, concession and bar sales, program advertising, and in the case of dinner theaters, food and beverage service bundled with admission.
Broadway and Off-Broadway productions in New York City generate the highest per-show revenues, but regional theaters, community playhouses, and touring companies form the vast majority of establishments nationwide. Nonprofit theater companies depend on a mix of earned revenue and contributed income from individual donors, foundations, and government arts grants. Commercial producers operate on a for-profit basis, raising capital from investors who share in box office proceeds. Dinner theaters combine meal service with live entertainment, creating a bundled experience that commands higher per-ticket prices than traditional stage presentations.
The National Endowment for the Arts[5] provides federal grant funding and tracks arts participation data. Industry Census Bureau[6] measures revenue for performing arts companies within the broader arts and entertainment sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] reports employment for actors, directors, stage managers, and technical crew. Seasonal patterns drive revenue, with fall and spring subscription seasons generating the bulk of annual ticket sales at most regional venues.
What's Included in This Industry
- Live theatrical play and musical production
- Opera and operetta staging and performance
- Broadway, Off-Broadway, and touring show production
- Regional and community theater company operations
- Dinner theater combined meal and show service
- Children's theater and youth performance programming
- Season subscription sales and management
- Scenic design, construction, and stage management
- Theatrical costume and prop production
- Box office and audience development operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 71 |
| Subsector | Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | 711 |
| Industry Group | Performing Arts Companies | 7111 |
| NAICS Industry | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | 71111 |
| National Industry | Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | 711110 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 711120 | Dance Companies | Dance companies share performance venue networks and audience demographics with theater companies, often appearing on the same subscription series |
| 711130 | Musical Groups and Artists | Musical groups and artists supply the live musical accompaniment and scoring that theater productions require for musicals and operas |
| 711310 | Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities | Event promoters with facilities own and operate the venues where touring theater companies perform under rental or revenue-sharing agreements |
| 711410 | Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures | Talent agents and managers represent the actors, directors, and designers whose contracts define casting and creative leadership for productions |
| 711510 | Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | Independent artists and writers create the scripts, choreography, and scenic designs that theater companies license or commission for staging |
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | Full-service restaurants provide the dining component that dinner theater establishments combine with live theatrical entertainment for patrons |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 22.5% | 787 |
| 2 | California | 13.5% | 473 |
| 3 | Florida | 4.5% | 158 |
| 4 | Texas | 4.4% | 153 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.3% | 149 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.2% | 111 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 2.8% | 97 |
| 8 | Washington | 2.5% | 86 |
| 9 | Missouri | 2.3% | 79 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 2.2% | 76 |
% Of Establishments
0%
22%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
104
Total SBA Loans
$39.8M
Total Loan Volume
$382K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.08%
Average Interest Rate
1,752
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: The SBA size standard[10] for NAICS 711110 is $25 million in average annual receipts, classifying companies below this revenue threshold as small businesses for federal programs. Theater companies can access SBA 7(a) loans[11] for production costs, equipment, and working capital, while SBA 504 loans[12] support venue acquisition and renovation. Most companies outside major Broadway producers operate well under the threshold.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KeyBank National Association | 8 | $12.9M | $1.6M |
| 2 | Pinnacle Bank | 8 | $12.8M | $1.6M |
| 3 | Northeast Bank | 24 | $2.8M | $117K |
| 4 | MidFirst Bank | 8 | $2.5M | $307K |
| 5 | Centennial Bank | 8 | $2.4M | $300K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What types of businesses fall under NAICS 711110?
NAICS 711110 covers establishments producing live theatrical performances. This includes Broadway and Off-Broadway producers, regional nonprofit theaters, community playhouses, touring theater companies, dinner theater operations, opera companies, and children's theater groups.
How is NAICS 711110 different from 711310?
NAICS 711110 covers companies that produce and perform theatrical shows, while 711310 covers promoters who own venues and present events produced by others. Producers create the show; promoters book and host it, per Census Bureau classifications[13].
What is the SBA size standard for theater companies?
The SBA sets the size standard for NAICS 711110 at $25 million in average annual receipts. Companies below this threshold qualify as small businesses for federal contracting and lending, per the SBA size standards table[10].
What NAICS codes are related to theater companies?
Related codes include 711120 (dance companies), 711130 (musical groups), 711310 (event promoters with venues), 711410 (talent agents), 711510 (independent artists), and 722511 (full-service restaurants for dinner theaters).
What industries are closely related to theater?
Closely related industries include dance (711120), event promotion (711310), talent management (711410), independent writing and design (711510), and movie theaters (512131) as competing entertainment options.
What activities are included in theater production?
Activities include play and musical staging, opera production, touring show management, dinner theater operations, season subscription sales, scenic and costume design, stage management, and box office operations. The NEA[5] provides federal arts funding and participation data.
Can theater companies get SBA loans?
Where are theater companies concentrated in the United States?
New York City dominates with Broadway and Off-Broadway clusters. Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area maintain large regional theater communities. Every major metropolitan area supports multiple theater companies, per Census Bureau County Business Patterns[14].
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]National Endowment for the Arts arts.gov
- [6]Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [9]Small Business Administration sba.gov
- [10]SBA size standard sba.gov
- [11]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [12]SBA 504 loans sba.gov
- [13]Census Bureau classifications census.gov
- [14]Census Bureau County Business Patterns census.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.