Posted on: Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Signature Theatres sold
By Andrew Gomes
Advertiser Staff Writer
The country's largest movie exhibitor, Regal Entertainment Group, plans to assume operations of Signature Theatres' four Hawai'i locations on Friday as part of its $200 million acquisition of the California-based Signature chain.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser But don't expect many other immediate changes to movie-going in the Islands. The Signature name, at least for a while, will remain. Employees are being retained. Film showings and prices on Friday also will be status quo, according to Signature.
A spokesman with Regal declined to comment on the company's plans until after the sale is complete.
Regal announced in April that it reached an agreement to buy 309 screens at 26 theaters in California and four in Hawai'i from Signature.
Signature operates 47 screens in Hawai'i — 18 at Dole Cannery in Iwilei; 12 at Pearl Highlands in Pearl City; 10 at Windward Mall in Kane'ohe; and seven at Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua, Kona.
Regal runs 562 theaters in 39 states under the Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres brands. The company controls 6,119 movie screens — about 20 percent of all screens in the United States.
The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company routinely shows music concerts at select theater locations, operates a customer loyalty program and rents theaters out for business meetings. Other special features include sports and educational events.
Reach Andrew Gomes at agomes@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8065.
In the transition, Signature is canceling Hawai'i film showings after 6 p.m. on Thursday to allow technicians to convert computers and ticket machines to Regal's system.
Regal Entertainment Group is taking over Signature Theatres' four sites in Hawai'i: Dole Cannery in Iwilei, Pearl Highlands in Pearl City, Windward Mall and Keauhou Shopping Center in Kailua, Kona.
