In addition to high property value overtaking these establishments, light pollution was a deterrent as well. NOTHING worse than the bright lights around the screen/lot which made the movie almost impossible to watch.
Funny you should mention that. There’s a mom and pop drive in burger joint right next to our local drive in. At night the place is lit up so you could see it from space. The proprietor of the drive in asked them to tone it down just a bit during the show but they refused.
So now there are big signs saying “No Food From Next Door” at the entrance. I have no idea how they enforce it. Maybe they do a sniff test or something.
We used to go a couple times a summer to catch a flick. We would pack up our dogs, pop the back of the Family Truckster open, put junk food into ourselves and the dogs, maybe have a beer, and enjoy a fine midwestern summer evening.
Sadly, both our fur balls are gone now so I don’t know if we will go again.
Best,
L