EVO Entertainment Group made a major announcement on Monday, revealing their plans to rebrand as Elevate Entertainment Group. Alongside this news, they also disclosed their acquisition of Violet Crown Cinemas, an arthouse chain based in Austin.
Elevate Entertainment Group currently operates 15 cinema entertainment centers across the United States, with an additional four locations in the pipeline.
Violet Crown Cinemas, renowned for their luxurious big screens and bar and cafe experience, has four venues in Austin and Dallas, as well as Charlottesville, VA, and Santa Fe, NM.
This acquisition will add a total of 30 screens to Elevate Entertainment Group’s existing 172 screens. Violet Crown Cinemas will continue to operate under its own distinct brand name, and the acquisition is expected to be finalized in December.
The proposed merger between Violet Crown Cinemas and Austin-based Evo Entertainment Group aims to create a more expansive theater ecosystem.
Evo plans to integrate Violet Crown’s operations in Santa Fe, Dallas, Austin, and Charlottesville with its theaters in Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma. As part of this strategic move, Evo also intends to rebrand itself as Elevate Entertainment Group.
Mitch Roberts, the founder and CEO of Elevate Entertainment Group, expressed his excitement about the merger, stating that it represents a significant milestone in their long-term vision for the future of cinema and entertainment.
Having a personal connection to Austin, Roberts feels honored to be entrusted with the preservation and expansion of Violet Crown’s legacy.
Upon completion of the deal, Elevate Entertainment Group will possess a total of 19 theaters across four states, including those operated under the Showbiz Cinemas name, amounting to a combined 202 screens. The company also disclosed that they have four additional projects in progress, although specific details and locations have yet to be announced.
In Santa Fe, Bill Banowsky, the founder of Violet Crown Cinemas, assures patrons that there will be no changes to the programming or the name of the four existing locations. Banowsky, who has an impressive background in the film industry, having founded Magnolia Pictures and Carolina Cinemas, describes the deal as a partnership.
While Elevate Entertainment Group will take over operations of the Austin, Dallas, and Charlottesville locations, Banowsky will continue to manage the Santa Fe theater at its current address for the foreseeable future.
This potential agreement with Elevate Entertainment Group marks the second time one of Banowsky’s properties transitions to the ownership of the company.
In 2020, Evo Cinema acquired Sky Cinemas in Dripping Springs, Texas. Banowsky, who also owns Nuckolls Brewing, Sky Coffee, and Sky Railway in Santa Fe, will maintain equity ownership in Elevate Entertainment Group while considering Santa Fe as his home base.
If the deal is successfully finalized, Elevate Entertainment Group will enhance its position in the industry and work towards expanding Violet Crown Cinemas into new markets, building upon the concept Banowsky created.
The partnership between the two companies aims to uphold the unique cinematic experience that Violet Crown is known for while facilitating growth and development.
