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263 Screens At 30
Sites In Lake Michigan States
Carmike Buys
GKC Cinemas
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Carmike Cinemas, one of the nation’s
four largest theatre chains, announced in April that
it had entered into an agreement to purchase the 263-screen
George Karasotes Corp. (GKC). The $66 million deal will
increase Carmike’s holdings by 30 sites.
The acquisition of the GKC sites will
enhance Carmike’s
presence in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin.
Carmike chairman and CEO Michael Patrick
stated, “We
expect to continue to expand our presence in small-market
America by taking advantage of organic growth in underserved
markets and opportunities to acquire other exhibitors
as our industry continues to consolidate.”
Columbus, Ga.-based Carmike’s pre-acquisition
screen count stands at 2,173 screens at 280 sites in
36 states.
Circuit Founder Honored
Harkins Inducted
Into Hall of Fame
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Dwight “Red” Harkins,
founder of the Harkins Theatres circuit, was inducted April
17 into the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.
Harkins opened his first theatre in Tempe in 1933 at
age 18, and his circuit has a long history of innovation – having
pioneered, among other things, FM multiplex radio.
Harkins Theatres, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., operates
253 screens at 23 sites in the Southwest.
AMC & Momentum Vets
Loews Cineplex Hires
Stryjewski & Sperber
NEW YORK – Loews Cineplex Entertainment (LCE) announced
two new hires in late April. Frank Stryjewski was appointed
senior vice president of operations and Sharon Sperber
was named director of national marketing. Stryjewski, a former president of General Cinemas, comes
to LCE from AMC Entertainment, where he was senior vice
president of marketing and strategic development. He
will be responsible for all aspects of operations, concessions
and facility management.
Sperber joins the circuit from the promotional agency
Momentum, where she served as an account director. In
her new role,
she will oversee all national marketing efforts, including
developing and evolving circuit-wide promotional platforms.
New York-based LCE currently operates 2,176 screens at
200 sites in the United States, Mexico, South Korea
and Spain.
May Opening For Georgia Site
GTC Launches
Griffin 10-Plex
 GRIFFIN, Ga. – Georgia Theatre Co. (GTC) opened
on May 17 its new 10-plex in Griffin, Ga., approximately
30
miles south of Atlanta. Designed to allow for future expansion to as many as
12 screens, the plex features high-backed chairs with retractable
cupholder armrests, stadium-style seating and wide arc
screens. Along with Super Wal-Mart, the plex will anchor
the Griffin Crossroads Shopping Center.
“This theatre brings facilities equivalent to any theatre
in the state of Georgia to the greater Griffin area,” said
circuit CEO Bill Stembler. “We are proud to offer
the very latest in movie theatre technology and innovations
to make the moviegoing experience more comfortable and
exciting than ever before.”
Headquartered on St. Simons Island, Ga., GTC operates
277 screens at 29 sites in Georgia, South Carolina
and Virginia.
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238 Screens At 22 Sites in
Carolinas and Florida
Regal Acquires
Eastern Federal
KNOXVILLE,
Tenn. – Regal Entertainment Group (REG) announced on April 28 its pending
acquisition of 238 screens from North Carolina-based Eastern Federal Theatres,
for a reported $126.7 million in cash.
The agreement will add 22 sites in North Carolina,
South Carolina and Florida to Regal’s holdings.
Knoxville, Tenn.-based REG is the largest motion picture
exhibitor in the
world, currently operating 6,264 screens in 553 locations in 40 states.
Central American 8-Plex Opens
Cinemark Situates
San Salvador Cinema
 SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Cinemark International on May 20 opened a new
8-plex in San Salvador, the company’s fifth plex in El Salvador.
The nearly 35,000-square-foot plex features stadium-style
seating, high-backed rocker chairs, cupholder armrests
and wall-to-wall screens. The new site is a part of the
La Gran Via mall, one of the first lifestyle centers
in Latin America.
Based in Plano, Texas, Cinemark operates 3,216 screens
in 33 states and 13 countries outside the United States.
New Concessions Exec
Muvico Chain Hires
AMC Vet Tim McGriff
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Muvico Theatres has named Tim McGriff its
new director of concessions. McGriff joins Muvico following a 26-year tenure
with AMC Entertainment,
most recently as director of North America marketing. In his new position, McGriff will head concession operations
at Muvico’s
existing sites in Florida, Maryland and Tennessee, as well as future sites
currently in development.
McGriff will oversee the circuit’s expanded menu, which features pizza,
buffalo wings, curly fries and mozzarella sticks.
“It is truly refreshing to have the opportunity
to work with a group of individuals whose vision helps
set the stage for the future of exhibition,” stated
McGriff.
Muvico Theatres, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., operates
233 screens at 12 sites with in three states.
Wi-Fi at the Transit
Drive-in Offers Internet
Access to Moviegoers
LOCKPORT, N.Y. – Upstate New York’s Transit Drive-in began offering
on April 15 free wireless broadband Internet access to its moviegoers. Those arriving early to a show can make use of the
Wi-Fi connection from their portable computers during
the Transit Drive-in Theatre’s operating hours.
The new service came as a result of other upgrades
to the drive-in. Transit implemented a wireless broadband
connection when it outfitted its concessions
stand and ticket office to accept credit cards.
Circuit Celebrates 90 Years
Malco Seeks Memorabilia
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In celebration of its upcoming 90th anniversary, Malco
Theatres is currently gathering photography and memorabilia related to the
circuit’s early years. Sought are items pertaining to the chain’s
sites in Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri, as well as its locations within Memphis.
Based in Memphis, Tenn., Malco operates 281 screens
at 31 sites across five states. |
