mdmost
Well-Known Member
I'm very happy that the old employees will be made whole and if rehired, they'll get better employee benefits which I assume was either what Alamo corporate offers or Sony can offer since they are such a massive company. I'd imagine the old benefits were through the franchisee and he supposedly sucked really badly and it was causing a lot of strife with the employees.
As far as upgrades, the one in Richardson was actually getting money through a city of Richardson run initiative to upgrade the theater as it is a major economic driver in that area. The Alamo when it opened there was put into a dead shopping center and it revived the whole area and really made it a destination for people to move to in the surrounding neighborhoods. There was talk that Richardson was going to work to get the theater from the debt holder under their control because of the millions they had sunk into renovations. The city of Dallas also was paying to help upgrade the Cedars location but I'm not sure of the full details.
This is from the Alamo site:
Beyond simply reopening the theaters, Alamo Drafthouse plans to implement a number of improvements and upgrades to several of the venues. Current plans include state-of-the-art 4K laser projectors and Dolby Atmos sound in a new The Big Show auditorium – Alamo Drafthouse’s premium large format experience – at the Richardson location by Labor Day. At Las Colinas, we will be adding premium recliner seats and 4K laser projectors in time for the Spring 2025 movies.
Before the theaters reopen, Alamo Drafthouse will host a hiring fair for past employees on July 23rd, at the Lake Highlands and Woodbury locations, both to make them whole for lost wages that they were owed before the closure and to give them first access to interviews for open positions. Those who are rehired will receive a more robust benefits plan with immediate eligibility, including access to daily pay, substantial 401k match, paid medical leave, accrued PTO, free mental health services.
“Our number one goal throughout this difficult period has been to do right by the former teammates and get back to providing the exceptional cinema experience our guests deserve,” said Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann. “We’re thrilled to say that that goal is in sight and that we’ll have teammates and guests back in those theaters very soon.”
Each location will host a soft opening celebration for the first two weeks after opening. Guests will enjoy $5 tickets for all shows and 25% off select food and beverage items. Programming for the soft opening includes some of the most anticipated films of the summer, including DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE, IT ENDS WITH US, ALIEN: ROMULUS and BLINK TWICE.
Guests who purchased tickets before the shutdown will receive free ticket rainchecks via email once tickets go on sale. Additionally, previously purchased merchandise for INSIDE OUT 2 and DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE will be distributed to guests during the soft opening period. Season Pass members affected by the closure will also be given the opportunity to reactivate their account and receive two months free for doing so once tickets for their preferred theater go on sale.
