Great Escape sells theaters to Regal

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Great Escape sells theaters to Regal

Originally Posted Online: Nov. 29, 2012, 5:33 pm
Last Updated: Nov. 29, 2012, 5:34 pm

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By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com

The Great Escape Theaters in Moline have a new owner.

On Thursday, Tennessee-basedRegal Entertainment Group -- the nation's leading motion picture exhibitor -- announced it has completed the acquisition of Great Escape Theatres, including the 14-screen multiplex at 4100 38th St., Moline.

Regal acquired a total of 25 theaters, representing 301 screens, for $91 million in cash. The acquisition will enhance Regal's presence in Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to a company release.

"The acquisition of Great Escape Theatres and the special dividend of $1 per share clearly demonstrate Regal's commitment to delivering shareholder value," Amy Miles, Regal's CEO, said in the release. "We are extremely pleased with the addition of over 300 high quality screens to our industry-leading portfolio and expect the transaction to be immediately accretive to both earnings and cash flow."

Regal owns the largest and most geographically diverse theater chain in the United States. As of Oct. 25, it had 6,607 screens in 521 theaters in 37 states and the District of Columbia. More information is online at REGmovies.com.

The sale marks the second ownership change for Quad-Cities movie theaters this month.

About two weeks ago, Cinemark USA Inc. -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cinemark Holdings Inc. and the third-largest theater chain -- announced it is acquiring all of the assets of Rave Cinemas for approximately $240 million. The group includes 483 screens at 32 theaters in 12 states, including an 18-screen cineplex in Davenport.

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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.

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