Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: GKC up for sale?!?

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Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 02-09-2005, 06:50 PM:

Now I've heard this rumor for 3 months or so but never really got any rock solid answers. I've got people from Corporate saying that its for sale...our Tech is saying its up for sale, Even our Concession Delivery guy says there selling. But anyone and everyone that works at GKC is mum.

But from what I've heard Marcus Cinemas out of Wisconsin are seriously looking in to buying them out...So much that they went around and looked at all of there locations including the locations of the competion in that area. Including some of our Theaters. Now I'm just woundering what any of you have heard about this? Any new News, I think this is a major deal in the theater industry...When a company with 500 screens already is looking at aquiring a possible 250 more(estimate not sure how many screens GKC has off the top of my head) Thats a pretty big move in the industry. What kind of effect do you guys think it will have on the industry as well?

Everyones comments welcome

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-09-2005, 09:15 PM:

As a current employee of GKC for almost 9 years I'll just tell you this..

I cannot confirm or deny the claims that the company is up for sale [Wink]

you can read into that however you want to but I think you already know the answer to your question of 'is it for sale'.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-09-2005, 11:10 PM:

Its strange that corporate is giving you one answer, and that gkc isn't giving one at all.

Another issue which wasn't factored in was that: Wonder what type of person is electing to keep all of the secrets reguarding a possible sale? Also curious as to why there hasn't been a letter (or even a memo) to either acknowledge or deny the rumors of a possible sale.

To think that some higher up wants to keep everyone in the dark. Sure hope that this person (or persons) responsible are able to sleep comfortably at night knowing that there are many families out there wanting to know about their job security and where the next paycheck is coming from.

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 02-10-2005, 05:08 AM:

quote: Don Cross
To think that some higher up wants to keep everyone in the dark. Sure hope that this person (or persons) responsible are able to sleep comfortably at night knowing that there are many families out there wanting to know about their job security and where the next paycheck is coming from.

Isn't that standard modus operandi in the theatre biz? I always hear of some theatre closing in the dead of night, where maybe only the manager knows and he has the techs come in and remove the equipment, just chopping off all the wires/leads/cables wherever they may lie, and posting a note on the door for the unsuspecting employees to hit once they return to work the next day...and find the door locked and them out of a job! Sounds terrible but it seems to be commonplace! [Frown]

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-11-2005, 06:41 PM:

Good point and observation Justin.

Also noted as being "standard modus operandi" would be to have every single one of the employees ride out on unemployment. If challanged about the unemployment- then simply appeal until "someone" gives in.

It makes one wonder what is being taught in schools (and by parents) nowadays. Very depressing.

[Roll Eyes]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-11-2005, 11:54 PM:

When GKC closed my 'home away from home' last May, all of us knew it was closing, just not exactly when. So, one Sunday, the big wigs of home office came in, and told us "the last show is tonight and all of you are fired...but you can re-apply if you want to."

I can see both points of view, when closing a business, from corporate and the employee's. Unfortunately it's a loose loose situation and I wish there were a 'right' way, but I don't think there is.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-12-2005, 12:56 AM:

There are a few states which have things on the books such as:

Employers must inform all employees that they are "planning" on going out of business or have an intent on selling it. The key word being- planned or intent.

It would also be convenient to have union representation or some other type of labor contract.

In conclusion: I always like it when on an employment application it usually states that an employee can be fired for misrepresenting themselves on the application- and can also be fired for representing themselves while on the job. Meanwhile of the other side of the scales- employers can go ahead an lie to each and every employee (even as a single group at a meeting) and then get away with it. Unfortunatly- only in America.

...End of Rant...

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-12-2005, 11:17 AM:

Keep in mind that most of your employees (50-75% or better) at most locations are students (HS or College). Giving them notice that the location was closing, etc. would lead to many problems ... a drop in customer service (who cares, the place is closing anyways), and pilferage.

WHO CARES IF THE EMPLOYEES ARE KEPT IN THE DARK ABOUT A POTENTIAL MERGER OR THE COMPANY BEING SOLD? THAT'S NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS ... IT'S A CORPORATE DECISION THAT WILL MOST LIKELY RESULT IN THE EMPLOYEES RETAINING THEIR JOBS ... JUST UNDER A DIFFERENT BANNER.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-13-2005, 12:47 AM:

Yes its a corporate decision, but in America there should also be a thing which is rarely lived up to; which is corporate responsibility.

Maybe thats why the United States is getting deep sixed by companies from outside of this country and also items imported here. Look what happened to all of the big American auto manufacturers:

Chrysler's now for all practical purposes a German company.
Most of GM's subdivisions are on their way to the same place that Oldsmobile went. The American automobile will soon be a minority due to things such as improper corporate responsibility and the lack of ability to compete.

Maybe if there were more corporate responsibility then a company could EARN the right to be refered to as one of the top 100 best places to work. If not quite that- then how about a place where employees actually respect their work and their employer? A companies bottom line and profits can be greatly assisted by having an employer that doesn't have a revolving door policy and is actually able to retain quality employees.

I've noticed too many theaters closing due to improper management and issues such as those noted above. Maybe that explains why the theater industry has seen much better days; all of them in the past. Thats also a major contributing facto to why the future of the theater industry will lie with the untra large chains such as Lowes.

Corporate responsibility is one of the key factors why businesses fail

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-13-2005, 01:06 AM:

Don,

[beer]

to what you said! If some theater companies listened to their managers on new ideas and feedback, and maybe if went out on a limb and TRIED one of those ideas (heaven forbid...), then things may be different. AND If home office wouldn't turn a blind eye to the crap that managers were pulling, things could and would be different as well.

Going back to Marcus theaters... has anyone worked for them? How do you like the company?

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-13-2005, 08:20 AM:

quote: Allison Parsons
Going back to Marcus theaters... has anyone worked for them? How do you like the company?

Having done technical work for GKC some years ago when I lived back in the Midwest area I can honestly say that Marcus(even back then) runs rings around GKC at least from a technical standpoint. GKC theatres were always run of the mill, many were plain run down, and generally ALOT lower quality then its better brother Kerasoates Theatres. Marcus would sure have to pour some dough into the GKC chain to get it to their level of quality. My best guess would be that you'd have a better life working for Marcus.... but expect to actually have to work!!

Mark

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 02-13-2005, 12:37 PM:

Did it ever occur to anyone that the reason for the tight lippedness from GKC in this instance (and from any company considering a sellout/buyout/merger) has to do with the cut-throat nature of the corporate world and the theatre industry in particular? I will admit I don't know a lot about GKC, but if the companies stock isn't 'closely held' then another company could attempt to stop the sellout/merger via a hostile takeover or a variety of other nasty actions.

There isn't any reason that anyone at the theatre level-including the GM-needs to know the details of such plans.

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 02-14-2005, 07:58 PM:

quote: Mike Spaeth
Keep in mind that most of your employees (50-75% or better) at most locations are students (HS or College).

So, teens and college kids deserve no respect? Even by your ratio, you're saying that 25-50% are non-students...so it's OK to just say, "F*ck 'em!" to them and their families? I'm with Don on this, corporations need to act responsibly. With managers of such corporations lacking any humanity and corporations shirking their responsibilities to society, no wonder the kids (whom Michael worries about) hold such poor attitudes towards their OWN responsibilities to their employers (and others). Selfish actions by corporations and adults teach kids a lot (and a lot of it is BAD). No, the employees don't need to know all the intimate details and trade secrets behind a decision to close...just that they deserve at least some compassion and respect as employees of the company to be told when their facility is closing, i.e. when they are losing their jobs.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-15-2005, 12:31 AM:

Reguardless of how much salary I'd make or the title; I would never refer to any worker as either a worker bee or someone who just should grab and ore and keep rowing.

A bit of advice (personal and professional) to those who (wrongly) believe that their employees might be expendable and/or replaceable: Try to remember the golden rule- treat others as you would want to be treated (because afterall) what comes around goes around.

I sleep quite content at night and never have to look back over my shoulder because I've treated any employee unfairly. Being almost forty years old I could use any of the people I've even had the pleasure of working with (or for) as a referance.

Out of those American companies which are left in the fortune 500 look at how many of them have made it to where they are today because of the teamwork between management and the remaining workers. An employee who is part of the team and not looked down upon is a valuable asset.

Sure theres always places like Enron, but luckily those are few and far between. The only way for a company to truely succeed and flourish is to work in a well respected team; and not a place where one has to question where their next paycheck might come from- due to a company secret decision.

Darn , I must really be reading too many of those darn fortune cookies.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-15-2005, 12:59 AM:

Actually Don, everyone in an organization should be expendable. If a manager builds an operation that cannot function without individual employees, including the manager himself, they are a poor manager.

The avenue any company will take really depends on its situation. In many cases, it is clearly not in the interests of a company to announce a closure to the staff.

If I were a CEO, I would most likely not annouce a closure. However, I would, depending on the reason for the closure, offer a couple of weeks severance pay.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-15-2005, 01:08 AM:

Justin ... businesses closing is one of the reasons why companies pay for UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ... if something drastic happens ... they have a safety net ... so it's not F**K them and their families .... 90% of theatre employees I've ever worked with were PART-TIME ... if someone's relying on a PART-TIME job as their only income, themselves and their families are pretty much screwed anyways.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-15-2005, 02:27 AM:

Good point Mike. I didn't even think about UE.

Posted by Chase Hanson (Member # 2779) on 02-15-2005, 02:52 AM:

But at the same time, the difference between losing the extra $100-$300 (depending on wage) a week. Might mean the difference between paying rent and eating right or paying rent and barely eating.

The "well we have Unemployment insurance, so its not a big deal" excuse is blatantly obfuscatory. I have car insurance, doesnt mean its no big deal if I go slamming my door into other peoples cars in the parking lot, and rear ending people at stop lights. Just because I pay someone else a monthly premium to foot the bill for my fuck ups, doesnt remove my responsibility for them.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 02-15-2005, 08:36 AM:

Mike I work 40 hours a week, I'm a manager and booth Supervisor and I'm part time. I depend on my paycheck from the theater to support myself and my girlfriend(she is a waitress/bartender and does make good money) We have a very comfortable living, but if I were to lose my job I would be fucked, yeah I could get partial unemployment but not nearly enough. Your thinking

quote: Mike Spaeth
so it's not F**K them and their families .... 90% of theatre employees I've ever worked with were PART-TIME ... if someone's relying on a PART-TIME job as their only income, themselves and their families are pretty much screwed anyways.

is complete and utter bull. Now why do theaters say that all there employees are part-time? So the company does not have to give them benefits...thats why I am Part-Time. NOW THAT IS BULLSHIT

Do you know how hard it is to find good employee's? Its almost impossible. And when you treat them like they mean nothing it become's even more impossible. If you don't treat your staff whether there in school or not with respect your going to be screwed and all your going to get are the school drop outs and recently released convicts...because words going to get around that Manager so and so is a jerk and doesn't care about his/her employee.

END RANT.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, just stating my opinion on this very touchy matter.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-15-2005, 12:00 PM:

Who said anything about treating employees like shit?

I'm simply saying that sometimes decisions need to be made ... business is business.

Should every company consult with all of their employees before they make a decision for fear of how the employees FEEL???

Plus, every theatre closure I've ever been involved with has involved at least two weeks notice to the staff. Yes, they found out 2 days before the doors closed, but were allowed to stay on for a couple of weeks to take all of the equipment out of the building ... Funny enough ... not a single employee has ever opted to stay and help ... management usually ends up hiring day-labor to assist with the job.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-15-2005, 12:59 PM:

Well Kurt, all of my employees are part time because they all work less than 40 hours a week.

Posted by Jeremy Fuentes (Member # 2135) on 02-15-2005, 02:10 PM:

quote: Mike Spaeth
but were allowed to stay on for a couple of weeks to take all of the equipment out of the building ... Funny enough

Funny? Oh wait, now I get it..HAHA!! Its funny to lay people off then ask them to help you load their crap. I'm rolling on the ground laughing!! Obviously anyone who supports such actions by a corporation have never been fired in such a manner. Look at it this way, lets say you come to Film-Tech with a question that you really need answered. Film-Tech is the only place that you can find the answer from. You ask the question, making it clear that your job depends on it, then Brad takes down the site. Too bad for you. Comparisons, in case people dont get it.....

Come to F-T with a question = Go to work for money.

Ask the question making it clear you depend on it = do your job to the best of your ability to make sure you pay the bills.

Brad takes down the site = company closes doors.

Too bad for you = Too bad for you.

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 02-15-2005, 02:53 PM:

quote: Mike Spaeth
Funny enough ... not a single employee has ever opted to stay and help ... management usually ends up hiring day-labor to assist with the job.

As Dr. "Pepper" Fuentes pointed out, it really isn't funny...and I am not meaning to pick apart your beliefs, Mike, but there is a growing callous-disregard by corporations towards employees, considering them to be tools to be used and tossed aside as deemed by demands of business rather than as people, human beings with lives and families. In the past, the top US corporations used to recognize that it was their people who PROVIDED the corporation with a human image to their customers in the marketplace. People on the FRONT LINES (while they may have been on the lowest rungs of the corporate ladder) were the ones the public saw, was served by, and conversed with. I knew of an older gent who sold tickets at a theatre for several years. He was part-time, earning Wal-Mart's "greeter's" wages but he was dressed and groomed well and he conversed pleasantly and respectfully with the customers.. "distinguished" would have been a good description of him...and customers thought HE must have been the theatre OWNER!!! He was just a low-wage peon but he took pride in himself and his job and guess what, not only did he do what the company paid him to do (sell tickets and collect money) but he gave them something else, something they did NOT pay for: a respectable image! Sure there are other facets of the business that affect the company's image as well, but this people-to-people relationship is (was?) very important. So, to get back to your comment, if a manager comes up to an employee and tells him the theatre is closing tonite and the worker is "fired" but adds that the worker can stay a couple weeks to disembowel his now "former" place-of-employment, IS, in reality, treating the worker like [bs]

No way around it. Now, then again, some people don't mind being treated like [bs]

but they are the people Kurt mentioned...the ex-cons, dregs of society...and, thus, you get what you pay for!

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-15-2005, 02:58 PM:

I think that it is sad that, as Americans:

Most Americans live from paycheck to paycheck; not that its the employees fault for this most of the time.

That Americans have the worst "level of benefits" such as healthcare, retirement, etc.. of any first world country, developed country, or industrial country. I'm sure that some of our members of this message board (who happen to reside outside of the United States) can feel welcome to support this fact.

That most Americans don't have much of a "savings nest egg". Basically theres very little of a net "to fall back upon".

All of that (and much more) in the country that calls itself the United States of America, and considers itself the world leader. I don't consider this a political party problem because both Democrats and Republicans are responsible. I'm just suprised that it has ever been allowed to get this bad in this country. It might even be bad enough to be beyond reasonable repair.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 02-15-2005, 03:08 PM:

Jim...do you consider working someone 39.5 hours under 40 so that would constitute them being part-time? That seems to be the norm at most business, as long as they don't past that 40 hour mark there just part-time and expendable.

quote: Mike Spaeth
Plus, every theatre closure I've ever been involved with has involved at least two weeks notice to the staff. Yes, they found out 2 days before the doors closed, but were allowed to stay on for a couple of weeks to take all of the equipment out of the building ... Funny enough ... not a single employee has ever opted to stay and help ... management usually ends up hiring day-labor to assist with the job.

If you found out that the company you have worked your ass off for was closing its doors in less then 48 hours? Then they had the gall to ask you to stay and help them move the equipment. Honestly I don't think you would, I know I wouldn't...and probably most of the people on this entire forum would agree.

I don't think nor did I say that a company should consult with its employees before they do anything...but there has to be a curtisey shown to the employee, whether its a notice that your company will be shutting down and you will need to find another job. And NO I don't mean just two days before, I mean two weeks...why is it the norm that if you plan to leave your place of employment you should give a two week notice but if a companys going to close its doors you guys think its ok to not let the people who are relying on that paycheck to live a notice? Shouldn't it be the norm for both sides?

Also Mike, how many theaters have you been at that have closed?

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-15-2005, 03:19 PM:

Good quote mentioned in an earlier post...

You get what you pay for!!!

It appears as though to many theater owners and managers are expecting their Chrysler PT Cruisers to perfor much like the highest end Mercedes Benz; and since "the budget won't allow it", who need things such as oil, air filters, and even 86 octane fuel.

Some managers and owners really expect to find the cream of the crop while not backing up their employees and paying them a living wage. Meanwhile the theater employees are leaving to find better paying jobs in fast food and at places such as convenience stores.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 02-15-2005, 03:55 PM:

quote:
Now why do theaters say that all there emplyees are part-time? So the company does not have to give them benefits.

Yes

The same thing happen during the 90's with the Banking industry. I had friends that worked as full-time as tellers and then the Banks cut their hours. They went from 40 hour a week jobs to just under 30. So the savings was you hire a few more part-time tellers and you save the company in paid benefits.

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-15-2005, 04:34 PM:

quote: Mike Spaeth
were allowed to stay on for a couple of weeks to take all of the equipment out of the building ... Funny enough ... not a single employee has ever opted to stay and help .

I've closed two GKC theaters. The first I had 3 weeks of notice time and was not fired. The second (my home away from home) i got 6 hours notice and then I was fired, but yet had the option to stay to help tear down. AND I DID! The reason being is that I loved that place so much that I just needed some 'closure' so I stayed for that reason. And that was the only reason I stayed to do that. 97% of the other employees gave the middle finger and didn't look back. Oh wait...I also gave them the [fu]

but after I took everything I wanted from the theater. [evil]

Whats even sadder is that I went to back to work for the company that screwed me over in the past (not just the closing of my theater). I've been with GKC for almost 9 years and i'm getting payed $8.00!!! IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME?!?!

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-15-2005, 06:00 PM:

When the aforementioned theatre closed ... I was a *PART TIME* Assistant Manager. I stayed and helped ... and then was transferred to another location, as was offered to all the employees there ... myself being the only one that took them up on the offer. I started at the bottom ... and have worked my way up the ladder over a number of years. I have plenty of respect for my employees ... I also understand that sometimes business dictates making tough decisions that will affect those employees (and myself).

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 02-15-2005, 06:09 PM:

quote: Jeremy Fuentes
Funny? Oh wait, now I get it..HAHA!! Its funny to lay people off then ask them to help you load their crap. I'm rolling on the ground laughing!! Obviously anyone who supports such actions by a corporation have never been fired in such a manner.

Jeremy, are you trying to imply that a company is wrong to close an unprofitable location? Should companies keep their unperforming locations running forever?

quote: Kurt Zupin
If you found out that the company you have worked your ass off for was closing its doors in less then 48 hours? Then they had the gall to ask you to stay and help them move the equipment. Honestly I don't think you would, I know I wouldn't...and probably most of the people on this entire forum would agree.

Seems to me, if they ask you to stay on a couple of weeks to shutdown the place then they ARE giving you two weeks notice. In most instances, telling people way in advance of a closure means you will have difficulty staffing the place towards the end, as well as risk signifigant theft.

quote: Kurt Zupin
but there has to be a curtisey shown to the employee, whether its a notice that your company will be shutting down and you will need to find another job. And NO I don't mean just two days before, I mean two weeks

Again, asking them to stay for a couple of weeks to close the place down IS giving them two weeks notice.

quote: Kurt Zupin
Also Mike, how many theaters have you been at that have closed?

Mike has been at one that I am aware of. And I had to spend quite a bit of time over that that one helping shut it down because most of its staff abandoned ship when it closed. The ones that didn't were transfered to the city's other locations. If I recall correctly, clearing out that theatre took about three weeks.

quote: Kurt Zupin
Jim...do you consider working someone 39.5 hours under 40 so that would constitute them being part-time? That seems to be the norm at most business, as long as they don't past that 40 hour mark there just part-time and expendable.

My part timers work anywhere from 10-30 hours a week on average. However, someone that worked 39.5 hours a week would be part time. You may consider the 40 hour mark to be arbitrary, however, a line has to be drawn somewhere.

quote:
Oh wait...I also gave them the [fu] but after I took everything I wanted from the theater. [evil]

Thanks for proving my point about employee theft.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 02-15-2005, 06:32 PM:

Ok this entire thread has gotten completly off topic...We can all type till we are blue in the hands...its not going to change anyone of our opinons on the matter. The original meaning of this topic was to discuss what you guys thought of Marcus possibly buying GKC and what it would mean to the industry as a whole...Can we try and get back on that subject please...everyone has the right to his or her own opinon and I'm not one to tell you its wrong.

[QUOTE] I think this is a major deal in the theater industry...When a company with 500 screens already is looking at aquiring a possible 250 more(estimate not sure how many screens GKC has off the top of my head) Thats a pretty big move in the industry. What kind of effect do you guys think it will have on the industry as well? [QUOTE]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-15-2005, 06:46 PM:

quote: Jim Ziegler
Thanks for proving my point about employee theft.

actually, I should have typed that another way. What I took was a piece of our silver screen, a metal reel, 2 speakers and a poster case AFTER I had asked. I have not nor will I ever steal a piece of inventory. I beleive in good Karma. [Smile]

ANYWAY.. Going back to the main point of your questions... If Marcus buys us, I really don't think it's going to be a huge deal to other theater chains. There are no GKC theaters in Chicago, St Louis, or any of the big cities, let alone anything on the west or east coast. Most of GKC's theaters are in big but not too big of towns where other compaines also have their theaters. However, I dont know where any of the Marcus theaters are located.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-15-2005, 07:06 PM:

Marcus is a largely Wisconsin-based company ... with a few locations in Illinois, Minnesota, et al

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-15-2005, 07:54 PM:

Does anyone know how much a marketing force is Marcus? GKC does radio ads but not much when it comes to the local paper. We do have a BYOB (bring your own bucket) tuesdays were you bring a bucket and we fill it with popcorn for 50 cents. If Marcus has more snazzy promotions in the vein of that, then it may do what was once the GKC market some good.

And of course the big question with be.... Will Marcus keep the not-so-famous 'R' Card??

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 02-16-2005, 01:25 AM:

..interesting. Does GKC have a "Technical Services" branch in their home roster? Or, do they depend on independent contractural services from outside vendors?

Remember the "megaplex" fall in 2000, when circuits were going "meagaplex" crazy and forgot about their other mainstream conventional theatres, who all of a sudden, were running in the red due to all of the movie going public were enthralled with the stadium seating concept idea, plus just liking something new and going to these new places? Big time domino effect.

Another "1929 Stock crash" syndrome all over again.
-Monte

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-16-2005, 02:32 AM:

Its kind of interesting that Monte made that quote before it was mentioned on a nationwide newscasts this evening which stated that:

The only thing that is keeping the average American individual and the average American business from feeling something worse than the great depression is...

Credit.

Sorry, no clicky clicky link available.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 02-19-2005, 11:51 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
Does GKC have a "Technical Services" branch in their home roster? Or, do they depend on independent contractural services from outside vendors?

Abbott Theatre Supply outside Chicago handles alot of the GKC equipment needs and a number of other different entities provide service and maintainaince to them. Its all pretty run of the mill stuff anyway with nothing fancy or special so maintainance is very easy when they actually do it. On the other hand Keresoates Theatres has a fair to middlin in house technical staff that plans and designs everything and works the installs..... Thats one big reason they are much farther ahead than GKC in the technical department.

quote: Don Cross
The only thing that is keeping the average American individual and the average American business from feeling something worse than the great depression is...

Credit.

Not me! I rarely use credit anymore, am pretty solvent and prefer to pay cash for just about everything I buy! I say why pay more for an item than its price tag...... If ya don't have the green for something then just save for it!

Mark

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 02-19-2005, 02:47 PM:

My dad is almost 60 years old and never owned one credit card in his life. When he first saw that you could use them in grocery stores he told me "only an asshole would pay interest on his own [bs]

". Everytime I'm in the checkout lane at Walmart, I always think about those words of wisdom from a father to a son. [Big Grin]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-20-2005, 12:53 AM:

Speaking of Credit Cards and of GKC, the theater I work at now does not accept credit cards (nor did the other 2 i worked at...) How many of you accept Credit Cards, which I'm assuming alot of you do, and if you don't, do you have many complaints about not doing so?

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-20-2005, 01:02 AM:

I've noticed that places usually accept credit cards when they are directly accross the street from a bank, where one has the option of accessing their money much easier.

Then theres the places that don't accept credit cards and just happen to be at least ten miles away from any type of ATM machine.

Has anyone ever heard of SpeedPass? It's a credit/debit type of device available for use at certain gasoline stations, and for certain other uses in markets such as in and around the Chicago area. Some people with the gasoline company which "promote" this device have been trying to get their "readers" installed into movie theaters for a while. This would enable a customer who has a "speedpass" to use it just like a credit card- even while at a place such as a movie theater.

Could this be a good idea- or another flop such as a Sony Betamax?

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-20-2005, 12:49 PM:

Credit cards, if used wisely are not a bad thing. If you pay off the balance every month, you pay no interest, but you get to use the bank's money for free for 30 days.

We accept credit cards. 20% of our business is done on credit cards.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-20-2005, 02:54 PM:

The major disadvantages about having credit card services available at ones business (especially the theater business):

The theater hopefully has an adequate surveilance system to watch all of the areas where there are credit cards.

If not, its only a matter of time before an employee decides to attempt to take advantage of this.

A dishonest employee could be tempter to commit credit card fraud in one form or another. They could simply run the card through twice, or punch in the wrong amount. One would be suprised as to how many people actually check the figures on their receipts or statements.

An employee could also do a manual entry at a later time. A law enforcement friend of mine has even caught people who are able to memorize the entire sixteen digit account number and the additional expiration date- and then use it later.

There are also illegal credit devices refered to as wedges, which scan all of the cards data.

In conclusion, its best to watch over ones employees whenever possible. It might even be worth extra spot checks on an employee. These type of credit and fraud problems are enhanced by factors such as the high amount of employee turn over in the theater industry.

If an employee were to be caught for any type of credit card fraud- it would also have the negative effect of casting a bad image upon the entire theater.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-20-2005, 07:25 PM:

The credit card system is tied in with the ticketing system. They can only run the card for the exact amount of the transaction. Besides, all cashier stations are under video surveillance anyways.

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-20-2005, 09:53 PM:

Oops, well at least you get good marks for an effort. Do you really mean "video"?

I've seen very few quality video systems in place. Usually one can't tell who the person is in the video tape systems. Was that Elvis I just saw? It would be difficult for someone to have the evidence against them based on the quality of most of the video I've noticed.

Note that most magistrates, judges, or even juries are difficult to sell if the video isn't of the best quality; noting the "proof" issue such as: for a criminal trial beyond a reasonable doubt, or civil- to tip the scales.

I'd strongly suggest going digital (as opposed to video) and having it recorded to a hard disk with a long lasting battery backup system.

Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 02-21-2005, 12:55 PM:

My inferior 'video' system is perfectly adequate, thank you very much. I have prosecuted one theif based soley on video evidence during my short time as complex manager.

Why waste extra thousands (tens of thousands?) of dollars on a 'digital' system when there are perfectly fine video systems out there. Just because what you have seen is crap doesn't mean its all crap.

Posted by Mike Spaeth (Member # 524) on 02-21-2005, 01:58 PM:

I'm with you Dustin ... I've had no problems using my video system to prosecute thieves. Especially the ones with color cameras ...

Posted by Don Cross (Member # 2980) on 02-21-2005, 07:59 PM:

Point agreed on Dustin. I guess I wasn't exactly clear on that point.

Posted by Jacob A. Velleman (Member # 2533) on 02-24-2005, 03:22 PM:

Me don't know...

[ 03-02-2005, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Jacob A. Velleman ]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-24-2005, 04:32 PM:

Jacob,

Do you work for Marcus??

Posted by Jacob A. Velleman (Member # 2533) on 02-25-2005, 09:10 AM:

Nope.

[ 03-02-2005, 08:11 PM: Message edited by: Jacob A. Velleman ]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 02-25-2005, 12:49 PM:

Well, I will say this.

We did have a couple people from Carmike theaters come in a look the two GKC theaters in town over on wednsday.

Posted by Jeremy Miller (Member # 3022) on 02-26-2005, 03:03 AM:

Apparently, I'm not allowed to speak on anything related to GKC.

[ 03-01-2005, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Jeremy Miller ]

Posted by Justin West (Member # 920) on 05-03-2005, 11:39 AM:

Note to Jeremy: Tell GKC to "F*ck off!" if they are hammering on you for participating on this website. You have a right to your opinion, just be wise not to release confidential company business details. I do not know what you had posted that you since deleted but that is my impression.

Now, for everyone else: Here is the latest from the pages of the Peoria Journal Star, 5/3/05:

Carmike Cinemas to buy GKC
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
PEORIA - The George Kerasotes Corp. is on the verge of being sold to one of the nation's largest movie theater chains, but representatives on both sides of the deal stressed Monday that patrons of GKC multiplexes in central Illinois will notice few changes right away.
It's down the road when the massive resources of Carmike Cinemas Inc., which recently announced plans to buy GKC, could lead to improved facilities and presentations at GKC's Landmark Mall Cinemas in Peoria and Sunnyland Cinemas in Washington.

"While on Day One you might not see the immediate changes, there's no doubt that they're in a better position to take care of the long-term changes that are ahead in the industry," said Bryan Jeffries, GKC's executive vice president of film and marketing.

Carmike Cinemas, a publicly traded company based in Columbus, Ga., has agreed to buy the family-owned and Midwestern-based GKC Theatres for $66 million.

According to Jeffries, the deal will be finalized May 18, one day before the final installment of the highly profitable "Star Wars" franchise, "Episode 3 - Revenge of the Sith," hits theaters.

The Carmike name already is one of the biggest in the movie theater industry, with roughly 280 theaters and 2,173 screens in 36 states. To those figures, the company now will add GKC's 30 theaters and 263 screens, which includes locations not just in Peoria and Washington but also in Bloomington, Normal, Peru, Sterling, Lincoln and other Illinois communities.

GKC Theatres Inc. is not related to Kerasotes Theatres, the entity that controls ShowPlace 14 in Pekin.

A large factor in the buyout is location. GKC is based in four states - Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin - where Carmike has a combined four theater complexes.

"We think that this just brings a greater concentration in the areas we're not in," said Judy Russell, the company's director of investor and public relations.

Many of the executive positions at GKC's headquarters in Springfield are being relocated to Georgia or eliminated, Jeffries said.

As for the theaters themselves, moviegoers aren't likely to notice many physical changes, at least initially. Carmike has no immediate plans to close any of the GKC facilities, according to Russell. And she said the company already is considering potential renovations to some theaters in the GKC fleet, though she would not reveal any specific details.

Even slight cosmetic alterations might not happen right away. It could take weeks before the Carmike name and logo begins to appear on popcorn bags and signs, and the new owners plan on honoring GKC's current contract with Pepsi despite the fact that Carmike theaters traditionally sell Coca-Cola products at their concession stands. Jeffries did not know the length of that contract, but he estimated it is at least a few years.

GKC last year drew the ire of some liberal-minded film fans when company President Beth Kerasotes announced she did not want her theaters to show Michael Moore's Bush-bashing polemic, "Fahrenheit 9/11."

Carmike, meanwhile, will not adopt or protect the politics of either side of the aisle, Russell said.

"We don't try to put our political views out on anybody," she said.

In the long term, Jeffries said he thinks Carmike's size makes it better equipped to afford the expensive upgrades - things like digital projectors - that will drive the movie theater business down the road.

"Everybody is always excited when something becomes new again," Jeffries said. "I think that in this case, people have reason to be excited. I think the new owners will take a new view and certainly a new investment in the marketplace, and everybody benefits from that."