EXCLUSIVE: EVO Entertainment Group is undergoing a transformation and will now operate as Elevate Entertainment Group, the company announced on Monday. Alongside this exciting change, Elevate Entertainment Group has also acquired the renowned arthouse chain, Violet Crown Cinemas, based in Austin. With 30 screens added to their existing 172, Elevate Entertainment Group now operates a total of 202 screens across the United States. Despite the acquisition, Violet Crown Cinemas will continue to operate under its own brand name. The deal is expected to be finalized in December.
Bill Banowsky, the founder and CEO of Violet Crown Cinemas, expressed his thoughts on this new chapter, saying, “Our journey with Violet Crown has been extraordinary. We’ve created a unique moviegoing experience for film lovers, and that will remain unchanged. I am confident that this acquisition will continue to bring the best film experience to the community, and I am grateful that we have found a team with the resources, passion, and vision to take Violet Crown to the next level.” Banowsky will continue to be involved with Violet Crown Cinemas as an equity partner. His cinema journey began in 2001 when he founded Magnolia Pictures, a film exhibition and distribution company, which he later sold in 2003. He then served as the CEO of Landmark Theatres from 2003-2007 before founding Carolina Cinemas in 2008 and Violet Crown Cinemas in 2010.
Mitch Roberts, the founder and CEO of Elevate Entertainment Group, is a fourth-generation cinema operator who has successfully grown the company since 2014, making it the fastest-growing cinema entertainment center organization in the country. Reflecting on this milestone, Roberts stated, “Today’s news marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of our long-term vision for the future of cinema and entertainment. As an Austin local, Violet Crown is a brand that is close to my heart, and I am honored to be entrusted with the task of preserving and expanding their legacy.”
Elevate Entertainment Group, based in Austin, boasts a portfolio of brands that includes EVO Cinemas, EVO Entertainment, Elevate Rewards, ShowBiz Cinemas, Times Square Grand Slam, and Violet Crown Cinemas. In addition to offering refined food and beverages, the organization provides a wide range of activities such as movies, bowling, games, and attractions like climbing walls, virtual reality experiences, ropes courses, and bumper cars.
