AMC Entertainment Inc., which owns movie theaters in Hamilton and Newport, is purchasing the Rave Cinemas in West Chester, a spokesman confirmed Friday.
Rave Cinemas is selling its West Chester 18 movie theater to AMC Entertainment, which already operates cinemas in Hamilton and Newport. File photo.
The theater, officially called West Chester 18, is located just off Interstate 75 at The Streets of West Chester (Union Center Boulevard exit). It will continue to be run by Rave Cinemas LLC until Jan. 17.
“West Chester 18 is a newer, all-digital theater, with strong visibility and a good location,” AMC spokesman Ryan Noonan said. “We’re excited about not only the theater itself, but also the future growth of the I-75 corridor.”
Noonan, who declined to disclose the purchase price, said that the West Chester theater will accept Rave gift cards until July 1. He also said customers will be allowed to have their Rave gift cards changed over to AMC gift cards.
The only change customers can expect right away is the AMC rewards program.
“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.”
Cost of membership to the program, which also includes no-fee online ticket purchases, is $12 per year.
Noonan said AMC is retaining the staff at the West Chester location and is not anticipating any significant changes in staffing levels. More than 70 people are employed at the theater.
Noonan said AMC has purchased 10 Rave movie complexes in the past few months. He said the company has no plans to purchase additional theaters in the region.
As of last September, AMC Entertainment Inc., based in Kansas City, Mo., had interests in 332 theaters with 4,804 screens across the United States. The company serves 200 million moviegoers each year.
Rave Cinemas LLC, based in Dallas, owns or manages 45 theaters and 753 screens in 18 states. In 2009, Rave purchased 29 theaters from National Amusements, including four in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky (Western Hills, Kings Island, Milford and Florence), giving Rave control of 65 theaters in 20 states at that time.
