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Topic: Studio Movie Grill Houston - Review

Paul Konen
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 981
From: Frisco, TX. (North of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-19-2006 03:54 PM

From Yahoo!Finance

quote:
Studio Movie Grill's First Houston Location Continues to Earn Rave Reviews
Monday June 19, 11:56 am ET

DALLAS, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Studio Movie Grill's first Houston area location has been bursting at the seams as customers catch their first glimpse of a concept called "the future of the industry." In a theater that was renovated down to the studs, local moviegoers have enjoyed everybody's two favorite entertainment options -- dinner and a movie -- in the same place at the same time.

"Studio Movie Grill's unique combination of film, food and fun created significant 'buzz' before we even opened our doors," said Brian Schultz, president of Studio Movie Grill. "Once customers were finally able to see what we are all about -- watching the latest blockbuster while enjoying a delicious meal -- the buzz developed into a quiet roar, with sold out shows since the opening weekend."

Studio Movie Grill-Copperfield is the company's first Houston location of a concept that revolutionized the industry at its Dallas area theaters. Customers have raved about watching the latest hit movies while eating food from a menu that has been featured twice on Food Network. Some of their quotes include:

"This blows away the competition!"

"I'll never go to a traditional theater again."

"My husband and I had a great time and thought the burgers were great!"

"What an exceptional movie event -- the staff was superb, friendly and accommodating."

"This Copperfield location is simply the first opportunity for Houston to see what sets Studio Movie Grill apart from competitors," said Schultz. "Soon enough, people in the central part of the city will get to experience how watching a movie in your own individual leather recliner; being served a complete and delicious meal by a superior staff; and enjoying the ultimate in movie sound and projection is an unbeatable combination!"

Studio Movie Grill-Copperfield is located at 8580 Highway 6 North, Houston, TX 77095. Information about show times, menus, ticket purchasing, special event listings and other details can be found by calling (832) 593-6684 or visiting www.studiomoviegrill.com .

About Studio Movie Grill

Studio Movie Grill, the pioneer and leader in the movie grill concept, currently has three locations in Texas -- Addison, Houston and Plano -- and is expanding to Arlington and Frisco. Studio Movie Grill has spent more than a decade refining its concept, and is now aggressively sought by developers as the perfect "entertainment anchor" in new and existing retail centers.

Source: Studio Movie Grill

From Yahoo!Restaurants

Brad - Is this your handy work?

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-19-2006 04:18 PM

Yeah that's it. Despite phenomenal problems with the blueprints and ten times the amount of work I should've had to do, it's open and doing amazing business.

Yahoo sucks though, as there were far more compliments about the picture and sound than there were about the food and service. I guess that is to be expected from the restaurant section of Yahoo though.

A picture tour is in the queue for tomorrow's update.

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Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-19-2006 05:00 PM

How do they serve the food without bothering people watching the movie?

It's definitely an interesting concept. Of course, I'd be more impressed with the picture and sound. The food would just be an added bonus.

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-19-2006 06:39 PM

They try to get all of the food out during the previews, so that once the feature starts there is very little amount of servers moving around in the auditorium. The patrons are given a tiny light to turn on when they want service. If the light is off, the customers are left alone. The servers are supposed to bend down and not obsruct patron's views and such. They also wear black to help be less obtrusive.

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John Wilson
Film God

Posts: 5438
From: Sydney, Australia.
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 06-19-2006 09:52 PM

How many seats per auditorium? Was it a big cut-down on seats?

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-19-2006 11:07 PM

Almost half were lost to convert from a traditional theater to a dinner theater. I think the actual percentage was about 60% of the original seats.

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James Westbrook
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1133
From: Lubbock, Texas, Usa
Registered: Mar 2006

posted 06-20-2006 12:47 AM

I have looked through the picture tour...
I am printing this and taking it to work. It's a certainty my staff has never seen a booth like this.
I can't think of the adjectives to describe it...

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 06-20-2006 01:22 AM

Very Milleresque.

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Lyle Romer
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1400
From: Davie, FL, USA
Registered: May 2002

posted 06-20-2006 11:46 AM

A couple of other questions after looking at the (awesome) picture tour.

How did they get away without having to do handicapped ramps in the auditoriums?

Also, what was the approximate cost for one of those sound systems?

I'll need to arrange a trip to Houston sometime to check that palce out.

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 06-20-2006 12:26 PM

The 3rd and 4th rows from the back are all handicapped accessible since the entry is on that level. I'd have to go back through the books to figure out roughly what a particular auditorium cost. It wasn't as much as you might think, and the customers certainly appreciate it.

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 06-20-2006 12:37 PM

I think the customers would more appreciate a nice fountain in the lobby, or perhaps an aquarium or a bulk candy machine. It's what customers want.

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Cory Isemann
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 500
From: White Plains, MD, USA
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 06-20-2006 01:07 PM

Is this your place, Brad, or are you a partner in the Studio Movie Grill enterprise?

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 06-20-2006 01:20 PM

Main question Brad: (outside of your descript of the platter arrangements in the middle of the room, which is understandable and a good idea of using UPS systems), Wouldn't there be more horrific complications due to the massive threading length, esp. with that massive travel down that hall to that one house, than worrying about moving prints if needed by using "pizza" boards so the decks won't get all scratched up by using clamps - just to keep the platters by the machines and facilitate simpler film handling?

Bet, you did some SERIOUS booth training up there ...

But..still...congrats on all of this!! Quite some fancy layout!

thx-monte

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Jason Burroughs
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Allen, TX
Registered: Jun 99

posted 06-20-2006 01:27 PM

Monte,

It doesn't add to the complications much to speak of. Annother advantage of using this method, is that interlocking is a SNAP.

I've yet to see a print damaged due to this design, which we can't say about moving prints using clamps, boards etc.

Brad,

One thing I would change in that design, is for the platters, install L5-20R's and put L5-20P's on the platter plugs. This would make the connections twist lock, reducing the possibility for "accidently" unplugging a platter, but could still disconnect for service. It would also eliminate someone from plugging a vacum cleaner into those circuits.

[ 06-20-2006, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: Jason Burroughs ]

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Steve Scott
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1300
From: Minneapolis, MN
Registered: Sep 2000

posted 06-20-2006 02:40 PM

No slouches in that booth, for sure. The more you have to thread, the better. It sets a high work standard in a way I'd believe you could only accomplish doing an all changeover multiplex. Very cool.

No DirecTV for your guys, huh [Wink]

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