More Malco Money Made

by Talk Business & Politics ([email protected]) 83 views 

The Fayetteville movie experience got a lot better in the fall of 2007 when the new, 12-screen Malco Razorback Cinema finally opened after multiple delays.

While new theaters in both Rogers and Fayetteville were announced back in 2004, Rogers actually got two new theaters including the Pinnacle Hills Promenade before Fayetteville got one.

There could even be an argument made that the nearby Fuddruckers, which closed just months after the Razorback Cinema opened, might have made it had the theater opened when it was originally planned.

In any case, the opening of the Razorback Cinema has been a boon to the area and a number of new businesses and restaurants have sprung up around it over the last year.

Business has apparently been good for Malco as well.

Multiple contractors we’ve spoken to tell us the Memphis-based company is taking bids to expand the theater from 12 to 16 screens by adding on to the south end of the building.

That will tie it with the AMC Fiesta Square 16 in Fayetteville for the most screens in Northwest Arkansas.

During 2008, according to Fayetteville tax collections, the Razorback came at No. 22 in revenue with $1.56 million in concessions sold.

The AMC had concession sales of just $406,754.

The Razorback’s revenue puts it ahead of some big names, outgrossing Powerhouse Seafood, IHOP, Applebees and A.Q. Chicken.