Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas Announces New Chief Operating Officer

Austin, TX, January 08, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, the nation’s oldest cinema-eatery concept showing first-run films - named best movie theater in America by Entertainment Weekly - is proud to announce Craig Paschich as the company’s chief operating officer, a newly created position, effective immediately. Paschich previously served as the vice president of operations and will maintain that position overseeing all franchise and corporate operations. He is eager to begin this new chapter in his career with Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas.

Paschich got his start in the restaurant industry 27 years ago as the manager of Red Lobster. Prior to joining Alamo Drafthouse in March 2008, he spent eight years at Fired Up Inc., the parent company of Carino’s Italian, beginning as GM and working his way up to VP of operations. In addition to his corporate accomplishments, Paschich was part of a franchise group that owned Cheddar’s Casual Café in Lubbock, TX. He also started his own restaurant a few years back called Bourbon Street Bar & Grill.

Paschich has always been a big fan of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas. After watching the brand increase in locations, Paschich approached Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas with the hopes of becoming a franchisee but, given his extensive experience in the industry, all parties agreed his skills would be best utilized through a corporate position.

“Having worked on the corporate side as well as on the franchisee side, and as an independent owner and operator, I have seen the industry from all angles, giving me the proper perspective and experience to make a difference.” said Paschich, 43. “In my new role as COO, I will make sure all the systems are in place to grow Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas in a disciplined manner while still maintaining focus on the culture as well as profitability of the company. I am thrilled to continue playing an integral role in the company’s continued success.”

“At Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas we’ve done an excellent job of articulating the company’s goals to our franchisees, and it’s this open dialogue, paired with Alamo’s innovative concept, delicious product and enthusiastic individuals at every level, that leaves the concept perfectly positioned for tremendous growth,” said John Martin, president and CEO. “Craig is the perfect individual to help us continue growing Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas throughout the country. I am confident he will not only meet but exceed our expectations, as he has demonstrated in the past.”

Austin, Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, named best movie theater in America by Entertainment Weekly, is the nation’s oldest cinema-eatery concept providing a unique combination of theater and restaurant, showing first-run and independent films while offering in-theater food and beverage service that includes an extensive menu of freshly prepared appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and salads as well as a wide selection of hand-crafted beers and great wines. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas is also the only franchised movie theater chain and the only franchise concept that offers the unique combination of theater and restaurant. Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas currently has nine locations with the majority in Texas: four in Austin; one location in Houston and also in nearby Katy and two venues in San Antonio. There’s also a location in Winchester, VA – the first outside the state. A third location for San Antonio is scheduled to break ground in early 2010. For more information, visit www.drafthouse.com.

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