DALLAS — All five Dallas-Fort Worth locations of Alamo Drafthouse will reopen, the theater chain announced Thursday.
The initial closure came suddenly. The local franchise partner that operates the DFW theaters and a Woodbury, Minnesota, location filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving many employees without a job.
All theaters previously owned by the franchisee are now owned by Alamo Drafthouse. The theaters that will reopen are the Lake Highlands, Richardson, Cedars, Las Colinas and Denton locations.
WFAA reached out to Alamo Drafthouse to see when the locations will reopen. A spokesperson for the company told us there is no official date, but they are aiming for this summer.
According to a press release from Alamo, all affected venue staff "will be made whole for lost wages that they were owed prior to the closures."
The theater chain says they offered former franchise employees interviews first, and those 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."
“We were heartbroken to hear about the franchisee’s decision to close their locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Woodbury, MN, but we immediately got to work to acquire these as Alamo Drafthouse owned locations,” said Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann. “We’re so excited to reestablish Alamo Drafthouse Cinema for our teammates and local film communities in these great cities during an incredibly successful summer of moviegoing.”
Customers are also getting some benefits. The company announced it will hold soft openings for the theaters, offering promotions and discounts to moviegoers that are to be announced. For people who are owed ticket refunds due to the sudden closings, the company says they will give out free ticket vouchers.
Also, Alamo Drafthouse Season Pass holders will get a free month of the service if they choose to reactivate their subscription, the company announced.
Since the closings, Alamo Drafthouse was acquired by Sony Pictures.