FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Studio Movie Grill Announces Further Coast-to-Coast Expansion, New Theaters Opening in
Philadelphia, Southern California and Texas.
Community engagement, fresh, made-to-order food, handcrafted cocktails and unrivaled
comfort and service have propelled brand to #1 spot in in-theater dining
DALLAS, June 4, 2015 –On the heels of it’s its first East Texas opening in Tyler in May, in-theater
dining leader Studio Movie Grill (www.studiomoviegrill.com) announced it is expanding on both
coasts once more with new locations announced 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 (SMG) 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 4 screens at its Plano,
TX theater, 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 9 screens. It will be the concept’s first North East location.
Meanwhile, in Southern California, and also new to this market, another 9-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 9th
location in North Dallas. SMG Pearland will expand the brand to 3 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 FilmTech 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. 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.
Schultz added: "Making a difference starts with being a good neighbor. 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.
About Studio Movie Grill
SMG modernized the traditional movie-going experience by combining first-run movies with intheater dining and is characterized in the market today by its continued ability to innovate and
its dedication to the communities it serves. For additional information, please visit
www.studiomoviegrill.com.
Contact:
Lynne McQuaker, Director of Public Relations and Outreach
Studio Movie Grill
(972) 388-7888 Ext. 232
lmcquaker@studiomoviegrill.com
Max Danielson, National Publicist
Studio Movie Grill
(323) 436-6297
mdanielson@studiomoviegrill.com
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