THEATER CHANGES HANDS
Current owner: Rave Digital Media
New owner: AMC Theatres (as of Jan. 17)
Still accepted: Rave Cinemas Gifts Cards or Director’s Tickets are good through June 27.
New promotions: AMC Stubs program, which offers $10 back for every $100 a guest spends, plus free upgrades on popcorn and fountain drinks.
Sources: AMC Theatres, Rave Cinemas
AMC Theatres has entered into an agreement with Rave Digital Media to purchase Rave Motion Pictures West Chester 18 in West Chester Twp., company officials confirmed.
AMC, based in Kansas City, Mo., would not disclose the purchase price for the theater, according to AMC spokesman Ryan Noonan.
Rave will continue to manage the theater at 9415 Civic Center Blvd. until Jan. 17, at which time AMC will take over and rebrand the facility AMC West Chester 18, Noonan said.
“We are working on a timeline to change the signage on the front of the theatre, but no plans are imminent,” he said.
AMC is enthusiastic about its purchase, Noonan said.
“West Chester 18 is a newer, all digital theatre, with strong visibility and a good location,” he said. “We’re excited about not only the theater itself, but also the future growth of the I-75 corridor, which makes the future promising.”
Rave Cinemas gift cards and Director’s Club tickets will be accepted through June 27, according to Rave Cinemas.
“We plan to implement our rewards program, AMC Stubs, the day we take over operations,” Noonan said. “We think guests are going to really enjoy the benefits — such as $10 back for every $100 they spend, and free upgrades on popcorn and fountain drinks — that come along with being an AMC Stubs member.”
AMC plans to retain the theater teams at the West Chester Twp. location, and is not anticipating any significant changes in current staffing levels, which number about 70-plus people, Noonan said.
AMC’s presence in the region includes AMC Showplace Hamilton 8 at 1453 Main Street in Hamilton and AMC Newport on the Levee at 1 Levy Way in Newport, Ky.
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., AMC operates more than 4,800 screens at more than 300 locations across the United States, including 25 of the 50 highest grossing theaters in the United States and four of the top five.
AMC was acquired in 2012 for $2.6 billion by privately-held Wanda Group, a Beijing-based entertainment conglomerate.
Rave Digital Media is a subsidiary of Dallas-based Rave Cinemas, which was founded in 1999.
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