Kansas City's film production scene reached new heights in 2025, generating an estimated $24.3 million regional economic impact.

The success story includes local businesses like Gates BBQ, where Beatrice Hooker, a supervisor, experienced the industry's benefits firsthand.

The famous restaurant served as both a filming location and provided Hooker with work as an extra for the upcoming season of Ted Lasso.

A lot of people fight for this area right here, Hooker said.

Hooker was talking about the corner table where a scene from "Ted Lasso" was shot.

The corner is not the only part of Gates BBQ to appear in the show. Hooker will be featured.

That was a blessing, she said. I work for my company, so I got paid twice.

They are part of a record-setting year for the Kansas City film industry

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