Kerasotes Theatres
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kerasotes Theatres is a movie-theater operator in the Midwestern United States. Based in Chicago, Kerasotes is the eighth-largest movie-theater company in North America with 659 screens in 79 locations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota.
The company was founded in 1909, when Gus Kerasotes, a Greek immigrant, opened a storefront nickelodeon in Springfield, Illinois. His four sons joined him in the business and by the 1940s, the company had 11 theaters.
In 1985, one of Gus' sons, George Kerasotes, split from the family and started the GKC Theatre chain. GKC was purchased in 2006 by Carmike Cinemas.
The chain undertook a major expansion program during the 1990s and 2000s adding several hundred screens to the circuit. The company continues to grow in the Chicago and Indianapolis markets.
Kerasotes Theatres remains a privately held, family business. It is currently managed by the third generation of family with Tony Kerasotes as chief executive officer and Dean Kerasotes as chief operating officer.
