On the heels of its first East Texas opening in Tyler in May, in-theater dining leader Studio Movie Grill (www.studiomoviegrill.com) announced its expansion on both coasts with new locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Simi Valley, California, as well as two new Texas theaters in North Dallas and Houston. Since its founding in 2000, Studio Movie Grill has grown steadily from its Texas roots to what will soon be 24 locations in ten states by year’s end. With the remodel and addition of four screens at its Plano, TX location, 34 new screens will be in place by Q4 and 231 in total nationwide.
"With the help of our partner, Goldman Sachs, Studio Movie Grill is excited and grateful to have the opportunity to further establish our brand across the country," said Founder and CEO Brian Schultz. “We created the full-service, dine-in theater concept as a modern and relaxing way for guests to have dinner at the movies, not just dinner and a movie. Courteous service, coupled with the best available technology and an eclectic, fresh and made-to-order menu – all provided with a mind toward value – have contributed to SMG being recognized as the preeminent leader in film exhibition.”
A local-style bar will be the centerpiece of the 37,000 square foot Philadelphia SMG located in Upper Darby, which will house nine screens. It will be the concept’s first North East location. Meanwhile, in Southern California, and also new to this market, another nine screen, 41,000 square-foot theater will open at Simi Valley Town Center – just northwest of Los Angeles – as an anchor for the popular shopping, dining and entertainment destination. In Texas, the cinema eatery will open its doors at the long-awaited SMG The Colony, which will mark its ninth location in North Dallas. SMG Pearland will expand the brand to three theaters in the Houston market, for a total of 12 in Texas. Each new location will provide the same superior quality in film presentation for which the brand is known. SMG has partnered with Brad Miller of Film-Tech to bring industry-leading Christie and Dolby equipment to every screen.
The two new East and West Coast markets have special significance for Brian Schultz. While working in the political field with U.S. Senator Arlen Specter in the early 1990’s, Schultz spent many years in Philadelphia, and grew up in Agoura Hills, CA. "Philadelphia and Simi Valley are ideal locations for me to reconnect with communities that have special meaning for me,” said Schultz. “Part of our journey is to build in communities and develop roots where I have fond memories. My mother grew up blocks from Chatham, Illinois, and I lived for a short time in Center City, Philadelphia. Today, my mother, three brothers and their families live in Sacramento, and we are happy to say that our SMG Rocklin theater has quickly become a favorite in the community."
The four newest theaters in the SMG family will offer the innovative, casual dining and friendly service experience that embodies the brand. Before and after shows, a sophisticated, welcoming lounge area will allow for socializing and community gatherings. Each new location will have definitive touch points as part of achieving a consistent, recognizable identity and energizing an already avid fan base.
"Studio Movie Grill is so much more than movies," Schultz continued. "We offer one-stop destinations for dining and entertainment, plus a welcoming place to meet family and friends. Whether it's a special occasion or just a night out, SMG provides a wonderful environment to create life-long memories. We're thrilled to have transformed the typical movie-going experience."
SMG further distinguishes itself from competitors by constantly redefining its dining options, and 2015 will be no different. SMG’s chefs will continue to innovate and look at small plate, healthy and regional trends. There will also be a focus on farm fresh produce and house made menu options. New menu items to look for include Sriracha chicken flatbread, handmade pulled pork spring rolls, new salad options and some surprising new finger food desserts – this alongside perennial SMG fan favorites such as Coconut Chicken and Artisan Pizzas. In-theater or at the bar, guests will also find an eclectic wine list and signature SMG Cellars wines from Central California as well as a wide array of premium cocktails including the ever popular Texas Frozen Margarita and signature Studio Blue Grande Margarita.
Being good citizens and making an impact in the community is important to everyone at SMG. An example of this spirit is SMG’s Special Needs Screenings for families raising children with special needs. These regularly scheduled screenings offer first-run family movies free to children with special needs and their siblings. Another such program is SMG With A Twist, which provides educational and family programming, documentaries, cartoons, concert films, sporting event broadcasts and advanced promotional screenings. SMG strives to support local community initiatives, the arts and public awareness of important issues in every neighborhood served.
In appreciation for their service and to provide the best for its guests, SMG is extremely proud to announce that all security officers assigned to any SMG present and future will be military veterans. The company specifically chose to work with G4S for its security services because of their initiative regarding the hiring of returning military veterans as part of the White House’s Joining Forces campaign. G4S continues to be a destination employer for veterans and, according to Civilian Jobs News, is one of the best places for veterans to work.
"Making a difference starts with being a good neighbor,” Schultz added. “We understand that our theater teams, vendor-partners, investors, community and guests are all inter-related. For SMG, conscious business not only benefits our guests and our communities, but also enriches the lives of our team members, vendor-partners, and investors. It's truly a win-win-win-win-win proposition for everyone and the type of purpose-work SMG takes very seriously."
The community-building values on display within the SMG organization have even earned Schultz recognition in John Mackey and Raj Sisodia's "Conscious Capitalism," a landmark book that explores how businesses and leaders can embrace this new paradigm.
A popular event venue and the choice of some of the largest corporations and organizations in the country, SMG hosts over 2,500 private events each year. SMG’s Private Events team is on hand to facilitate meetings, seminars, product training, employee appreciation, team building, private parties and movie premiers. Private event packages include state-of-the-art digital projection and presentation equipment, complete audio/video capabilities, Wi-Fi, gaming and full service food and beverage packages.
All SMG locations offer 100% advanced reserved seating online or at the box office. The company routinely advertises special offers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/studiomoviegrillfan) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/studiomoviegril). More information, along with a mailing list sign-up form, is available at www.studiomoviegrill.com.
