This is topic EFW: Everything is F&*@#% Wrong with this company in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001406
Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 11-02-2002, 12:51 AM:
Well my tenure with EFW other wise known as Entertainment Film Works ended last night because the landlord revoked their lease. THANK GOD!.This company took in a sizable amount of money but yet proceeded to not pay rent on the place, not pay property taxes on the theatre in Dallas and Houston. has a $10,000 electirc bill debt here in Austin and bounced 4 paychecks in a row. Not to mention they never spent a dime on our theatre except to buy 7 amps to replace teh one they took from us to send to Dallas, with used ones mind ya, and a New screen for our big auditorium, outside of that not a penny spent. You gotta wonder where the money went. Anyone else looking to get hired with this group, EFW A.K.A Resturaunt Entertainment Group. BE WARNED!
Posted by Jason Black (Member # 684) on 11-02-2002, 02:43 AM:
William,That's odd. I just read in the 11/02 issue of Bof Office how they were re-opening two theatres in Florida. Brevard County. A former AMC locale and a former Regal location. Says that REG, parent company of EFW currently opeartes 41 theatres in the country..
Bummer about the paychecks... 
Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 11-02-2002, 10:51 AM:
Jason, the former Regal you speak of must be the Palm Bay 10. I was considering applying there. I think I'll pass....
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-02-2002, 09:12 PM:
Funny, but EFW closed up the TACOMA CENTRAL 6 (Tacoma, Washington) a couple of months ago in the middle of the night and skipped town owing lots of money (just like they did with the Aurora Cinema Grill in Seattle). The theater is still listed on their website as being open.Galaxy Theatres (www.galaxytheatres.com) is going to reopen the Tacoma Central 6 soon, but EFW left a very bad taste in everyone's mouth.
Posted by Jonathan M. Crist (Member # 413) on 11-02-2002, 11:50 PM:
EFW did the same thing in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania last spring at a an old former GCC 4 plex that it ran for about 9 months. Seems they didn't pay the rent and the mall Landlord issued notice of a pending padlock (BIG MISTAKE BY LANDLORD)to take effect on the follwing Monday morning. On the Sunday afternoon before the scheduled padlock EFW started the first matinee and then the staff got notice from HQ to clear out. While the first matinee show was running, the staff took down the posters, cleaned out the concession inventory and when the show ended locked the doors. I was told they even had people lined up for the second matinee! Guess you can't really call that a midnight move.
Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 11-04-2002, 11:18 AM:
EFW had two theaters here in Orlando, but is now down to one. There were two GCC's that closed. One was behind the mall (THX, 70mm capable IIRC.) and one was in front of the mall, down the street a bit. (not THX, but has digital sound)The one behind the mall operated with "General Cinema" signage for a while, until EFW ran it into the ground and closed it. Then they opened the one in front of the mall, which is still open (saw Comedian there recently) but seems to be running on a shoestring budget. Presentation leaves much to be desired, with several feet of "mess" between splices, dim projection, and soft focus. In addition, their policy trailer was horribly scratched, and one of the messages that popped up was "Nobody Does It Better!" -- My friend yelled out, "According to WHO?!?"
I bought concessions for "Comedian." -- The popcorn was disgusting and was served out of a warmer that was not even on. At least the staff was friendly.
It's sad to see these once-GCC theaters, a company that cared about presentation and showmanship, being run by these hairless apes.
=TMP=
Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 11-25-2002, 03:10 AM:
I live in Atlanta. The Sandy Springs location has been closed recently. I will try to find out the reason. It used to be a GC location. EFW retained the THX signage despite not following the standards. All your posts are right on. They had good prices( 75 cents to a dollar cheaper). But it was obvious they were running a bare bones operation. The main auditoriums were very dimly projected. Imagine watching Panic Room dimly projected. It is not a brightly lit movie to begin with.
They seemed to have a decent crowd. So I am sure the numbers couldn't have been disappointing. Funny thing is the website mentions Atlanta is the HQ of this corporation.
One interesting thing is I never saw any kind of a manager or supervisor at this location. Not even a high school or college aged assistant manager.
Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 11-25-2002, 06:34 AM:
It is my understanding that EFW is, among others, the group that started the "Cinema Grills" YEARS ago. That did begin here in Atlanta.
I know that another closed property was the ex GCC on hiway 50 in Orlando. If memory serves me correctly the Cinema Grill company was started by a couple of brothers with the last name of Duffy.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-25-2002, 06:51 AM:
In checking their website www.entertainmentfilmworks.com it appears that out of 12 theaters listed "across the country", only the Altamonte, Seminole, Britton and Meyerland are still operating. Of particular interest is that the Meyerland is listed on the EFW website as "NOVA Meyerland".
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 11-25-2002, 09:00 AM:
Amazing---Tacoma Central 6 is still listed as an EFW theater. Galaxy Theatres officially reopened Tacoma Central on Nov. 15th and I've heard good things about the operation. Many people were pissed with how EFW ran the place and they seem to be happy with Galaxy running things now.
Posted by Greg Borr (Member # 386) on 11-25-2002, 09:51 AM:
I heard a rumor that EFW lost a large lawsuit to a landlord and that the company was on the way out.
The Meyerland in Houston is now operated by Nova Cinemas.
The Altamonte 8, in Altamonte FL was just recently taken over by TMI Theatres.
The Regency Square 8 in Stuart, FL is rumored to be going to another chain as well.
Posted by Mike Williams (Member # 1140) on 11-25-2002, 11:12 AM:
Maybe I am misunderstanding something on their website, but doesn't it say that EFW is a franchise?
I would guess that would be something like Subway where the company does not own the store, but the product and brand comes from the franchise.
If that is the case then maybe the EFW theaters that are going under are doing so because of irresposible owners at each location not paying rent/bouncing checks etc.
Posted by Charles Everett (Member # 889) on 11-25-2002, 03:38 PM:
That rumor Greg spoke of is true. According to the Orlando Sentinel, the owners of Fashion Square sued EFW for nonpayment of rent and won a $1.9 million default judgment. The mall owners have garnisheed EFW bank accounts to try and collect the money.
The Sentinel also reported that EFW owes back rent for the Altamonte 8 as well.
Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-25-2002, 05:50 PM:
It is unfortunate to hear EFW crapped all over the former GCC Sandy Springs location. It was not a huge theater (and it was a pain in the ass for anyone not from Atlanta to find). But it had a pretty decent THX certified screen. I saw "Far and Away" in 70mm there back in 1992.
The thing going on with EFW, IMHO, is pretty common across the exhibition industry. Basically a class of slumlords has invaded the business looking to make a fast buck delivering rock-bottom ![[bs]](graemlins/bs.gif)
quality to customers.
Of course, one of the ways these guys make their money is by breaking the law. They don't pay any of their bills and hide behind the high cost those owed money have to pay lawyers in pursuing the bills. It is a standard "chess move" in business today to just tell someone "screw you, sue me. It'll cost you more in legal fees than what I owe."
We have to thank all of the lawyers running the country and white collar criminals who successfully lobby our government for setting up a system where crooks commonly win. With some simple tort reform and real teeth in fraud laws, much of this would not happen.
Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 11-26-2002, 12:12 PM:
Yeah the sad part of EFW is the president of the company's name is James "SLUG" Duffy. Well Mr Duffy here's to you ![[fu]](graemlins/fu.gif)
You greedy self rightoues asshole. Hope you end up in a fedral prison as a sex slave to some 400 lb dude named Bubba. ![[sex]](graemlins/sex.gif)
Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 11-26-2002, 09:37 PM:
It's kind of strange that somebody hasn't begun an investigation into this company. Some prosecutor out there might do very well with a case like this. Since this company operates in several states, I would presume that the feds would have jurisdiction. You might want to make some inquiries, William.
Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 11-27-2002, 03:19 PM:
Hey John, Funny you should say that. I have contacted my county attorney about the bounced checks and the fact that towards the end of EFW's existance in Austin, they had hung a memo on the employee bullentin boards stating that we had from Monday when we got our checks until close of Business Thursday to have them cashed or they would bounce. Now keep in mind that the checks are written against a bank in South Carolina that did not have a local branch to cash them at. And the check would have to be presented to the bank in S.C before Thursday a mere 2 1/2 days for payment or it would be no good. The other thing really f'd up with this company is they have like 7 different banks which they are constatly transfering money in and out of. For a company that took in 13.5 millon in revenue and spend aboslutely 0 to maintain or upgrade facilities, there is definately something wrong. Several of my co workers filed complaints with the State Attorney Gernerals office in Georgia about them already. Will be interesting to see what becomes of it.
Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-27-2002, 06:20 PM:
I certainly agree that a criminal investigation might be warranted against EFW for committing fraud.
However, with things like white collar crime, politics commonly interfere. If I go hold up a 7-11 and steal $20, I'll get 20 years to life for it. If I steal $20 Billion, I might get three years at a country club prison and then be able to write books about it afterward. Oh, don't forget the lucrative speaking tours! Hell, if you steal enough money you might get to play golf with the President on a regular basis.
Politics interfere with white collar crime because politicians are commonly bribed. Well, we call them political contributions and such. But it is still bribery. Lobbying is very organized form of bribery. Rich guys give politicians money to look the other way while they raid a pension fund or dump a trillion gallons of industrial waste into a wildlife refuge.
I agree this country must maintain its "war on terrorism," but all the resources devoted to "homeland security" also allow far more slack to all the white collar criminals out there.
Posted by John T. Hendrickson, Jr (Member # 849) on 11-27-2002, 08:02 PM:
Given the problems in the stock market after the tech bubble burst, there seems to be a lot less tolerance of white collar crime. Here in New Jersey, the state pension fund is going after several big corporations for misrepresenting their earnings and the amount of debt they reported carrying, so I think you may have a shot at getting EFW in hot water.
Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 11-27-2002, 08:22 PM:
Regarding "white collar crime", authorities are being very tough right now on anything having to do with mis-stated earnings, misleading investors, etc.
Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-28-2002, 12:48 PM:
Certainly after things like the ENRON debacle, Tyco, WorldCom and Martha Stewart, there is a lot more pressure to punish white collar crime. However, that is only in the interest in getting more suckers --er, I mean investors, to get back into the stock market.
Politicians will still guide policy on their own selfish interests. And if a certain businessman makes it worth their while, such lobbying for the politician's pork for his district, the lawmaker will make it easier for certain businessmen to rip off the public. Overall, the government has lots of loopholes in the books to allow people to defraud customers, investors and taxpayers.
We have a tax code that is, what, 2000 pages long? The only purpose that complexity serves is keeping a great deal of tax attorneys, accountants and many levels of costly bureaucracy employed. Bascially, I call much that government-sanctioned white collar welfare. We could greatly simplify the tax code or even have a flat tax. Most voters and even businesses are in favor of such a thing. But it will never happen for all the self-interested government people and lawyers a better tax code would adversly affect.
Oklahoma has one of the most pathetic worker's comp standards in the nation. It is one of the things that has this state far behind others. The new governor, Brad Henry, knows this all too well. But he doesn't care. His Tulsa law practice makes a -load of money from pursuing worker's comp litigation. Since Thanksgiving time is the peak for slip-and-fall cases, I'm sure their practice is gearing up to make more money.
Anyway, to make my very long point short, yeah EFW needs to be investigated. But I will not be at all surprised if the complaints about EFW fall on deaf governmental ears.
Posted by Thomas Procyk (Member # 1170) on 12-18-2002, 07:36 PM:
I was told by someone that the EFW Colonial Promenade in Orlando has been closed for some time now. (about a month) Good riddance.
=TMP=
Posted by Ken Layton (Member # 133) on 04-07-2003, 12:03 AM:
Their website does not seem to be working anymore. www.entertainmentfilmworks.com
Posted by Andrew Duggan (Member # 1302) on 04-07-2003, 01:18 AM:
![[Wink]](wink.gif)