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]
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion Picture Exhibition |
| Successor | Regal Entertainment Group |
| Founded | May 1997, Bedford, Indiana United States |
| Defunct | November 2012 |
| Headquarters | New Albany, Indiana, United States |
Key people | Anne Ragains, CEO |
| Website | www.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
| Theatre | Location | Date Opened or Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford 7 | Bedford, Indiana | May 1997 |
| Seymour 8 | Seymour, Indiana | May 1999 |
| Oldham 8 | La Grange, Kentucky | Sept.1998 (closed May 7, 2013) |
| Madison 6 | Madison, Indiana | Sept. 1998 |
| Weston 4 | Weston, West Virginia | Sept. 1998 (closed) |
| Princess 4 | Oxford, Ohio | May 2000 (closed Nov 2012)[1] |
| Wilder 14 | Wilder, Kentucky | Jan. 2001 |
| Bowling Green 12 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | May 2002 |
| New Albany 16 | New Albany, Indiana | June 2003 |
| Clarksville 16 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Oct. 2003 |
| Shelbyville 8 | Shelbyville, Kentucky | Nov. 2003 |
| Williamsport 12 | Muncy, Pennsylvania | April 2004 |
| Noblesville 10 | Noblesville, Indiana | Oct. 2004 |
| Greenwood 10 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Nov. 2004 |
| Wilkes-Barre 4 | Wilkes-Barre, PA | Nov. 2004 (closed 2008) |
| Massilon 12 | Massillon, Ohio | May 2005 |
| Moline 14 | Moline, Illinois | May 2005 |
| Nitro 12 | Nitro, West Virginia | June 2005 |
| O'Fallon 14 | O'Fallon, Missouri | Sept. 2005 |
| McDonough 16 | McDonough, Georgia | Nov. 2005 |
| Lebanon Valley 10 | Lebanon, PA | July 2006 |
| Omaha 16 | Omaha, Nebraska | Oct. 2006 |
| River Falls 12 | Clarksville, Indiana | Nov. 2006 |
| Harrisburg 14 | Harrisburg, PA | Nov. 2007 |
| Hamilton Mill 14 | Dacula, GA | July 11, 2008 |
| Gravois Bluffs 12 | Fenton, MO | Dec. 19, 2008 |
| Simpsonville 14 IMAX | Simpsonville, SC | April 26, 2010 |
| Dickson City 14 IMAX | Dickson City, PA | November 4, 2010 |
