Great Escape Theatres

Great Escape Theatres was a movie-theatre chain that operated movie theatres primarily in the Midwestern United States. The chain had its headquarters in New Albany, Indiana, located just across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. In November 2012, Alliance Entertainment (parent company of Great Escape) sold its movie theatre portfolio (except for the Princess 4 in Oxford, Ohio) to Regal Entertainment Group.[1][2]

Great Escape Theatres
TypePrivate
IndustryMotion Picture Exhibition
SuccessorRegal Entertainment Group
FoundedMay 1997, Bedford, Indiana United States
DefunctNovember 2012
HeadquartersNew Albany, Indiana, United States
Key people
Anne Ragains, CEO
Websitewww.greatescapetheatres.com

Company history

The company was operated by Alliance Entertainment. The first theatre in the chain opened in Bedford, Indiana, in May 1997. The company thereafter opened locations in Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Nebraska, Missouri and Georgia.

A statement on the company's website noted that they focused on mid-size market areas consisting of populations between 100,000 and 400,000 people.[3]

Great Escape Theatres was sold to Regal Cinemas for approximately $91m in December 2012.

The company operated 305 screens at 26 locations.[4] Thirty-eight additional screens were planned for construction in 2009 and 2010. The chain employed a workforce of over 500 people.

The location in Fenton, Missouri, won Best Theater in the St. Louis, Missouri area in the July 2009 issue of St. Louis Magazine.

A location opened in Simpsonville, South Carolina, in early 2010 and Dickson City, Pennsylvania, in late 2010.

Management

The following individuals composed the operating team for Great Escape Theatres.

  • Anne Ragains-President and CEO
  • Chance Ragains-Chief Operating Officer
  • David Poland-VP of Operations
  • Jamie Bowles-Director of Information Technology
  • Billy Geltmaker-Operations Administration Manager
  • Chris Aulisio-Director of Operations - West
  • Frank Mack-Director of Operations - East
  • Richard Lintker-Area Manager - Midwest

Customer perks

Great Escape Theatres offered such customer service incentives as online ticket purchase and free concession refills on all large sizes.

Great Escape Theatres also offered an incentive program known as the Critics Choice card. The Critics Choice card is a loyalty card program that allowed members to earn points towards free concessions and other items.

Theatre locations

Great Escape Theatre Locations
TheatreLocationDate Opened or Acquired
Bedford 7Bedford, IndianaMay 1997
Seymour 8Seymour, IndianaMay 1999
Oldham 8La Grange, KentuckySept.1998 (closed May 7, 2013)
Madison 6Madison, IndianaSept. 1998
Weston 4Weston, West VirginiaSept. 1998 (closed)
Princess 4Oxford, OhioMay 2000 (closed Nov 2012)[1]
Wilder 14Wilder, KentuckyJan. 2001
Bowling Green 12Bowling Green, KentuckyMay 2002
New Albany 16New Albany, IndianaJune 2003
Clarksville 16Clarksville, TennesseeOct. 2003
Shelbyville 8Shelbyville, KentuckyNov. 2003
Williamsport 12Muncy, PennsylvaniaApril 2004
Noblesville 10Noblesville, IndianaOct. 2004
Greenwood 10Bowling Green, KentuckyNov. 2004
Wilkes-Barre 4Wilkes-Barre, PANov. 2004 (closed 2008)
Massilon 12Massillon, OhioMay 2005
Moline 14Moline, IllinoisMay 2005
Nitro 12Nitro, West VirginiaJune 2005
O'Fallon 14O'Fallon, MissouriSept. 2005
McDonough 16McDonough, GeorgiaNov. 2005
Lebanon Valley 10Lebanon, PAJuly 2006
Omaha 16Omaha, NebraskaOct. 2006
River Falls 12Clarksville, IndianaNov. 2006
Harrisburg 14Harrisburg, PANov. 2007
Hamilton Mill 14Dacula, GAJuly 11, 2008
Gravois Bluffs 12Fenton, MODec. 19, 2008
Simpsonville 14 IMAXSimpsonville, SCApril 26, 2010
Dickson City 14 IMAXDickson City, PANovember 4, 2010
The Bowling Green 12 Theatre, Bowling Green, KY.

References

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