When I worked for the BSA, Trail’s End was owned by the same people that made Pop Weaver popcorn that’s sold in dollar stores. The councils I worked for usually negotiated a 45-25-30 split, the unit would get the 45%, the council would get 25%, and Weaver would get 30%. The local council CEOs (aka Scout Executives) theoretically would negotiate among several popcorn vendors, but they usually went with the vendor that provides the best winter golf junket to Arizona.
I’ll buy a couple of tins of the chocolate caramel popcorn from my old troop. It’s my tradition. I also write a check directly to the troop to help pay summer camp for a boy who needs it most.
Just checked on my records. As of 2017 we got only 27% and, of course, if there was and mixup or shortage, our pack would pay for it, so it ended up being a 25% take. A large portion of that went to pay for membership dues for scouts and leaders; again, money headed back to the council. A car wash or bake sale would have directed more money to our pack.
And that was before the BSA starting pulling this BS:
New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives in Scouts USA
Jeez. Just reading this stuff again makes my blood boil. Any nickel you give to Boy Scouts selling popcorn pays for this Marxist bullshit.