(WWJ) -- Michigan-based Emagine Entertainment now ranks among the top 10 largest theater chains in North America.
The theatre is ranked 9th in the 2022 Giants of Exhibition report from The Boxoffice Pro, a publication of theatrical exhibition -- reflecting Emagine's growth and expansion in the past couple years.
Emagine Entertainment, which started in 1989 with just one screen and 265 seats, currently operates 28 theaters in four states and 342 screens.
WWJ's film critic Terri Lee spoke with Emagine's co-owner and chairman, Paul Glantz, who took an approach different from other movie theaters during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was expansion.
"I'm a believer that you have to follow Warren Buffet's adage, which is 'to be greedy when others are fearful, and fearful when others are greedy,'" said Glantz. "So we thought it was the best time to expand."
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Glantz said Emagine's success doesn't just come from building more theaters, but the execution of service by his team and their strong emphasis on customer service.
"We're auditioning every day for the privilege of serving you again tomorrow, and you're only as good as your last audition," he said.
While there is much success for Emagine now, Glantz recognizes the threat streaming services have over physical theaters.
"We're gonna find out if our industry is going to strive in the future," Glantz said. "I think our future is somewhat within our own control, and I am a firm believer that it's incumbent upon us to offer our guests this great out-of-home experience, or else we will find that the industry has escaped us. If we do that then I think we have a bright future."
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Check out the complete top 10 list below:
1. AMC Theaters
2. Regal
3. Cinemark
4. Cineplex
5. Marcus Theatres
6. B&B Theatres
7. Harkins Theatres
8. Malco Theatres
9. Emagine Entertainment
10. CMX Theatres
To see what movies are playing at your local Emagine Theatre, click HERE.