Alamo Drafthouse reopens DFW area locations

All five Alamo Drafthouse locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are set to reopen after suddenly closing, according to the Dallas Business Journal.

The theaters closed after their local franchise partners, who operate the Dallas-Fort Worth theater and one in Woodbury, Minnesota, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving many employees unemployed.

The theaters in Cedars, Lake Highlands, Richardson, Irving and Denton are now directly owned by Alamo Drafthouse and it’s unclear when they will reopen.

The Richardson Theatre recently underwent an extensive renovation in collaboration with the city, enhancing its audiovisual facilities and seating arrangements.

In a news release, the company said it would compensate all affected employees for lost wages owed to them before the closures. The company offered former franchisees first opportunity to interview and promised enhanced benefits to those rehired, including immediate per diem eligibility, 401k contributions, paid medical leave, accrued paid vacation time, and free mental health services.

“We were heartbroken to hear of our franchisees’ decision to close their locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Woodbury, Minnesota, but we immediately began work to acquire these locations as Alamo Drafthouse-owned locations,” CEO Michael Kusterman said.

The company is planning a soft opening with promotions and discounts. Ticket vouchers will be offered to those who received refunds for tickets due to the sudden closure. Additionally, Alamo Drafthouse season pass holders will receive one free month of service if they reinstate their subscription.

Two is One One is None LLC, a former DFW-area franchise operator, filed for bankruptcy due to industry-wide customer declines following the pandemic, a prolonged writers’ and actors’ strike, and unsustainable franchise fees. Attempts to negotiate lower rates and close unprofitable locations were unsuccessful, and the LLC injected more than $3.5 million in capital to stay in business, but that ultimately proved insufficient.

—Quinn Donahue