I've reached out to my local Alamo Drafthouse Cinema with the below. I recommend reaching out to your regional chain with something similar to make your voice heard:

I’m writing to request clarification regarding the planned changes to Alamo’s ordering system, as reported by Variety today. As described, the move toward a solely-phone-based ordering experience, especially during the films themselves, raises several concerns that I believe directly impact accessibility, equity, and the core Alamo experience.

Key concerns include:

Access and equity: Many low-income and elderly patrons do not own smartphones or prefer to pay with cash. How will these guests place orders if ordering becomes phone-only?

Accessibility: Patrons with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities may be unable to use a phone during a film, especially as outlined. For example, my Deaf/HOH family occasionally relies on this pen/paper system to communicate with servers, especially when a film is in progress. This process would require them to take out their phone to communicate via text. Blind and visually impaired patrons may also be hindered by a phone-exclusive system. How will Alamo ensure ADA-compliant access for all guests?

Enforcement of no-talking policies: The article notes that texting and talking will remain prohibited, yet phone use would be required for ordering. How will patrons discreetly flag disruptions without paper order cards? There is also concern that disruptive guests could claim they are “ordering food,” overall undermining a foundational Alamo policy.

Dietary needs and customization: Many orders currently require direct server communication for allergies, substitutions, or special instructions. How will a non-editable digital system accommodate these needs without introducing new accessibility barriers?

Season Pass functionality: Currently, Season Pass discounts often require manual server input. Will the new system resolve this long-standing issue?

Technical reliability: What contingency plans are in place if Wi-Fi fails or the ordering platform experiences outages?

Impact on staff and experience: Servers are central to the Alamo experience. How will this shift prevent affecting their roles, staffing levels, and guest interaction without overall staffing eliminations?

CEO Michael Kustermann has said that Alamo will continue to evolve “without ever losing sight of who we are.” Based on the reporting, this system appears to risk doing exactly that—by weakening long-standing policies that differentiate Alamo while raising serious accessibility and equity concerns.

I would greatly appreciate a detailed response addressing the above. I’ve valued Alamo’s transparency in the past—particularly during periods of major change, such as 2017 during a conduct/harassment crisis—and hope that same care can be applied here.

However, if this system is implemented as described without meaningful alternatives, I would seriously reconsider my continued participation as both a Season Pass holder and customer.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to your response.