EVO Entertainment Group Joins Elevate Entertainment Group; Take over the Violet Crown cinema chain

EXCLUSIVE: EVO Entertainment Group will operate as Elevate Entertainment Group, the company announced Monday. At the same time, EEG acquired the Austin-based art house chain Violet Crown Cinemas.

Elevate Entertainment Group currently operates 15 cinema entertainment centers in the United States, with four more in the pipeline.

Known for its upscale movie theater, bar and café experience, Violet Crown Cinemas has four locations in Austin and Dallas, Charlottesville, VA, and Santa Fe, NM. The acquisition will add a total of 30 screens to the 172 the group already has in use. Violet Crown Cinemas will continue to operate under its brand name. The acquisition will be completed in December.

Bill Banowsky, founder and CEO of Violet Crown Cinemas, reflected on this new chapter, saying, “Our journey with Violet Crown has been extraordinary. We have created a unique cinematic experience suitable for film lovers and it remains unchanged. I am confident that this acquisition will continue to provide the community with the best cinematic experience, 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 remain part of Violet Crown Cinemas as an equity partner. He began his film career in 2001 when he founded Magnolia Pictures, a film exhibition and distribution company, which he later sold in 2003. He was CEO of Landmark Theaters from 2003 to 2007. Banowsky then founded Carolina Cinemas in 2008 and Violet Crown Cinemas in 2010.

Mitch Roberts, founder and CEO of EEG, is a fourth-generation movie theater operator who has built the company since 2014 into the fastest growing movie theater entertainment center company in the United States.

“Today’s news is an important milestone in the pursuit of our long-term vision for the future of film and entertainment,” said Robert sadly. “As an Austin native, I care deeply about Violet Crown and am honored to take on the task of preserving and expanding her legacy.”

Austin-based Elevate Entertainment Group’s portfolio of brands includes EVO Cinemas, EVO Entertainment, Elevate Rewards, ShowBiz Cinemas, Times Square Grand Slam and Violet Crown Cinemas. In addition to great food and drink, the organization offers a range of activities including films, bowling and games, as well as attractions such as climbing walls, virtual reality, rope courses and bumper cars.