AMC Theatres
AMC Theatres (NYSE: AEN), or American Multi-Cinema Theatres, is one of the largest chains of movie theaters in the United States. Founded in 1920, the company has a long tradition of innovation, and is credited with pioneering the first multiplex theater and then the first megaplex theater. Its theaters often dominate lists of the top 50 most profitable theaters in North America.
The multiplex arose from the realization of AMC executives that they could run multiple theatres with the same staff required for one, through the simple expedient of carefully staggering the start times. When this was done correctly, the staff would be constantly busy but not completely overwhelmed. The megaplex later followed as AMC attempted to realize further economies of scale.
