I ended up getting a 14 oz machine. Based on the response I got here, everyone said get a "bigger" one so I did. I ordered it from Samsclub.com and it's called the Pop Maxx and I think it was $727. I believe it will make 12-14 servings in 3 minutes. Haven't gotten it yet but it should be on the way.
Shelly

ours is a 16oz. It takes about 5 minutes max to make a batch and that fills about a dozen or so bags. I agree with going with the bigger size.
When we do concessions for sports, if we have popcorn left over, we give it free to the opposing team as they leave and any stragglers still at school. Now we have students asking for the free popcorn! Cheap to make, and a big hit!

A couple of years ago I borrowed a pop corn machine from a ASA softball organization that my parents are involved with for a December craft night my son's school was holding. a few weeks later My wife, my mother and I attended a Holiday play at the school that was being put on by my son's class. Well,because the machine was still there we had decided after the play to pop some popcorn for the entire school, about 150 kids + staff. I've seen the popcorn machines at Sam's and I would guess we were using an 8oz. and it took over 3hrs!!! My advice is look for a restaurant supplier that sells popcorn machines and talk to them about what size is suitable for your needs.

Also EVERYONE loves popcorn so if you do end up with extra, it goes! There are even those that rather have it the next day!

Don't have one but have worked with 'em and the bigger models tend to run just a little faster and satisfy the crowd just that much faster.

Have you checked restraunt suppliers, Sysco Foods, places like that? I would also look at a vendor that can offer a warranty....service argeement..

If you are choosing between two models - go for the bigger one. I don't know what size ours is, but it's not the smallest model. I know that. I'm pretty sure we use the 8oz packets.

Every event we run has people standing in line for popcorn and we always start in advance like ScottMom#1.

Popcorn is pretty cheap to make, so if you have excess, it's not the end of the world. But having the ability to make larger capacity would be helpful.

I have never timed it, but when we made bags for each class the last day of school last year and started at 10 and didn't have enough until almost 2. We had about 550 students then.