Goodrich Quality Theaters

The origins of Goodrich Quality Theaters can be traced back to 1930, when William Goodrich left his family's rubber manufacturing business in order to purchase the Savoy Theatre in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previously, the Savoy Theatre had been a vaudeville theater; Goodrich renovated it as a single-screen movie theater and opened it in 1931 with "All Quiet on the Western Front". Business at the theater prospered, largely due to Goodrich's cheap double features. For just 15 cents, patrons could watch the main feature, followed by a B-Movie. By comparison, the average price for a movie ticket nationwide hovered between 23 and 25 cents during the 1930s.

The Savoy was later converted into a two-screen theater and finally shut down in 1979. William Goodrich also operated the Majestic Theatre in Grand Rapids, which was later sold and currently exists as the Meijer Majestic Theatre, owned by the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.

Control of the company was handed down to William's son, Bob Goodrich, who still heads Goodrich Quality Theaters. Bob Goodrich extensively expanded the company, founding new multiplexes and drive-ins around Michigan. Some of the "original" multiplex theaters are still in operation today. Many have since been expanded, and all have undergone technological renovations (such as the addition of digital sound, digital projection, and recliner seating).

Bob Goodrich eventually began building his business outside Michigan, establishing theaters in nearby states. Over the last decade, the chain has focused on renovating older theaters with modern amenities, as well as continuing to build and plan brand new multiplexes beyond the Midwest.

In February 2020, Goodrich Quality Theaters declared bankruptcy and in July 2020 it was sold off to a few different companies with Mason Asset Management and Mark McSparin getting the bulk number of theaters (22).

GQT theaters are primarily located in small towns and mid-sized cities. All locations are multiplex theaters, ranging from 4-to-16 screens and offer multiple formats and experiences across the board.

The standard GQT location featured classic designs of the late 1990s, largely due to acquiring locally owned theaters from private exhibitors. Newer theaters or remodeled theaters break with this tradition by incorporating vibrant colors with a modern design.

An increasing variety of food options were being sold at GQT concession stands, offering more concessions over traditional movie theater snacks. Typical concession items included popcorn, soda, candy, nachos, pretzels, hot dogs, and slushies. Some larger multiplexes began offering personal pan pizzas, chicken fingers, and mozzarella sticks.

Screen taps is a belly-up bar or bar behind a concession stand giving adult moviegoers aged 21 or over an alternative to the traditional beverages offered at the theater concession stand. Offering select local and regional craft beers on draft, plus a variety of domestic bottle choices. In addition, Screen Taps have a house red or white wine. Select locations also serve margaritas and daiquiris. Screen Taps is available at Bay City 10 GDX (Bay City), Brownsburg 8 GDX (Brownsburg), Eastside 10 IMAX (Lafayette), Jackson 10 (Jackson), Kalamazoo 10 (Kalamazoo), Krafft 8 (Port Huron), and West Columbia 7 (Battle Creek). Patrons are required to present their ticket stub, show a valid I.D., and drink responsibly. No alcoholic beverages are served during G or PG features before 8:00 P.M. at all Screen Taps locations.

GQT offers incentives for repeat visits, such as GQT Rewards that allows a customer to redeem free concession items after earning a certain number of points from ticket and concession purchases. This program also offers free birthday and anniversary popcorns.

GQT offers a few premium formats at their locations, while all locations are equipped to show 3D films in RealD 3D in select auditoriums.

Goodrich cast members are all part-time and primarily consist of high school and college students. Cast members perform duties such as operating cash registers and cleaning theaters between shows.

Theater managers typically start out as staffers rather than directly hired in as managers. Regional Managers are responsible for all theaters in their designated area. GQT Movies has two regional offices. Regional Managers report to the GQT headquarters in Grand Rapids.

A pre-show plays on all screens before performances, dubbed the Noovie, is produced by National CineMedia (NCM). The Noovie features advertisements for local establishments, nationwide ad campaigns (including movie trailers), and content created for or by GQT. The show generally runs between 15 and 25 minutes and is timed to end exactly when the movie is scheduled to begin. NCM also handles the advertising content played on flat-screen TVs located in the lobbies of GQT locations.

GQT adheres to national and local laws, following the guidelines of the MPAA's film ratings system. Slight differences exist per market, but nationwide, no person under age 16 is admitted into an R-rated film without a parent or guardian aged 21 or older purchasing their ticket. Those who do meet or exceed the age of 16 and look under the age of 25 must present a photo ID with name and date of birth to be admitted to such movies.

• List of movie theaters and cinema chains

• "IMAX Signs Two-theatre Deal with North American Exhibitor" (Press release). IMAX Corporation. March 13, 2006.
• Flinn, Gary (January 5, 2006). "The Center of Michigan's Movie Business is--Grand Rapids?". Flinn's Journal. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved 2007-04-28.
• "Adjusting for Ticket Price Inflation". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2006-08-31.

• Official website
• Theater list at Cinema Treasures