Steve and Greg Marcus

Making Ordinary Days Extraordinary

for Over 80 Years

  • People lined up outside Ripon Theatre

    1935

    Ben Marcus opens his first movie theatre in Ripon, Wis. on November 1.

  • Guests at a Drive In

    1949

    Marcus Theatres opens its first drive-in movie theatre.

  • Ben Marcus Press Conference

    1958

    Marcus Theatres operates 36 theatres and has 900 employees.

  • Marc's Big Boy Statue

    1958

    First Big Boy restaurant opens in Milwaukee; restaurant division ultimately includes Kentucky Fried Chicken, Captain’s Steak Joynt, Applebee’s and others; company exits restaurant business in 2001.

  • The Hotel Pfister

    1962

    Ben Marcus purchases The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee out of bankruptcy; Steve Marcus joins the company as Pfister GM.

  • Steven and Ben Marcus

    1972

    All businesses are brought together under The Marcus Corporation umbrella; company goes public.

  • Ballroom at Hilton Milwaukee

    1972

    Company purchases the Sheraton Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee, now the Hilton Milwaukee.

  • Budgetel Hotel

    1974

    First Budgetel Inn opens in Oshkosh, Wis.; concept developed by Steve Marcus.

  • Greg Marcus joins the company

    1992

    Greg Marcus joins the company.

  • Board of Directors at NYSE

    1993

    The Marcus Corporation moves to the New York Stock Exchange.

  • Gurnee Theatre

    1993

    Marcus Theatres expands outside of Wisconsin; enters Chicago market with new theatre in Gurnee, Ill.

  • Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

    1993

    Marcus Hotels purchases the former Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, Wis.; now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.

  • UltraScreen

    1999

    Marcus Theatres unveils its first UltraScreen® premium large-format screen.

  • Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

    2001

    Marcus Hotels opens the new Hilton Madison Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis.

  • Steve Marcus with Baymont Signage

    2004

    Limited-service lodging division, including Baymont Inns & Suites (formerly Budgetel), sold for $415 million.

  • AC Hotel

    2005

    Marcus Hotels opens new Chicago hotel, now the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown; purchases the Wyndham Hotel in Milwaukee, now the InterContinental Milwaukee.

  • Annual Meeting

    2006

    Company returns $215 million to shareholders from the sale of the limited-service lodging division as a $7 per share special dividend.

  • The Platinum Hotel

    2006

    Marcus Hotels opens the Platinum Hotel & Spa luxury condominium property in Las Vegas.

  • Skirvin Hilton

    2007

    Marcus Hotels, in partnership with Skirvin Partners in Development, opens the restored Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City.

  • Century Cinema

    2007

    Marcus Theatres acquires 11 locations with 122 screens in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa.

  • Kids in Theatre with 3D glasses

    2007

    Marcus Theatres installs its first Digital 3D system.

  • Making Pizza at Zaffiro's

    2007

    Marcus Theatres unveils its signature Majestic Cinema in Brookfield, Wis. with new food and beverage concepts including Zaffiro’s® pizza, Take Five℠ Lounges and Big Screen Bistro℠ in-theatre dining.

  • Majestic Cinema Omaha

    2008

    Marcus Theatres acquires seven locations with 83 screens in Nebraska.

  • Greg Marcus elected CEO

    2009

    Greg Marcus elected CEO; Steve Marcus continues as chairman.

  • Executive Team at NYSE Ringing the Bell

    2010

    The Marcus Corporation celebrates its 75th anniversary with associate volunteer campaign, black-tie gala and $75,000 donations to the United Way, United Performing Arts Fund and Variety, the Children’s Charity.  Board members and executives ring the Closing Bell at the NYSE.

  • MDX Logo

    2011

    Marcus Theatres deploys digital cinema, branded MDX® (Marcus Digital Xperience®), at virtually all screens.

  • Bartender at Miller Time Pub

    2011

    Miller Time® Pub & Grill restaurant concept debuts at the Hilton Milwaukee; joins ChopHouse, Kil@Wat® and Mason Street Grill® internally developed brands.

  • Cornhusker Hotel

    2012

    Marcus Hotels becomes majority owner and manager of the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Neb.; now The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.

  • Rolando Rodriguez

    2013

    Rolando B. Rodriguez appointed president and CEO of Marcus Theatres and Executive Vice President of The Marcus Corporation. He succeeds Bruce J. Olson, who retired after a 39-year career with the company.

  • $5 Tuesday Logo

    2013

    Marcus Theatres launches successful $5 Tuesday promotion – the start of its focus on special promotions to drive attendance.

  • Ladies in DreamLoungers

    2013

    Marcus Theatres begins a multi-year program of major investments to transform existing theatres; introduces DreamLounger℠ recliner seating and UltraScreen DLX® (DreamLounger eXperience) and SuperScreen DLX® auditoriums; expands food and beverage concepts to more locations.

  • Magical Movie Rewards

    2015

    Marcus Theatres’ Magical Movie Rewards℠ loyalty program reaches one million members within its first year.

  • Palace Cinema Grand Opening

    2015

    Marcus Theatres opens the Marcus Palace Cinema in Sun Prairie, Wis. featuring a fresh new design and the latest features and amenities.

  • Reel Sizzle Logo

    2015

    Marcus Theatres introduces Reel Sizzle® concept inspired by iconic diners of the 50s featuring burgers, ice cream and shakes.

  • SafeHouse Milwaukee

    2015

    Company purchases the SafeHouse® iconic spy-themed restaurant and bar in Milwaukee; further expansion planned.

  • Fiscal year-end changed to last Thursday in December

    2015

    Fiscal year-end changed to last Thursday in December.

  • Completely renovated Country Club Hills Cinema opens in Illinois.

    2016

    Completely renovated Country Club Hills Cinema opens in Illinois; 6th location in greater Chicago.

  • Wehrenberg Logo

    2016

    Marcus Theatres acquires the Wehrenberg Theatres chain with 197 screens at 14 locations in four states. Expands presence into the greater St. Louis area.

  • SafeHouse Chicago

    2017

    Marcus Hotels opens second SafeHouse® spy-themed restaurant and bar in Chicago.

  • Southbridge Crossing Theatre

    2017

    Marcus Theatres opens Southbridge Crossing Cinema in Shakopee, Minn., company’s 11th theatre in Minnesota.

  • BistroPlex Exterior

    2017

    Marcus Theatres opens first BistroPlex℠ “restaurant that serves movies” in Greendale, Wis.

  • Omaha Marriott Downtown

    2017

    Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District opens in Omaha, Neb., managed by Marcus Hotels.

  • Sheraton Chapel Hill

    2017

    Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel in Chapel Hill, N.C.

  • Murieta Inn & Spa

    2018

    Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of The Murieta Inn and Spa in Rancho Murieta, Calif.

  • DoubleTree

    2018

    Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel El Paso Downtown and Courtyard by Marriott El Paso Downtown/Convention Center in El Paso, Texas.

  • Movie Tavern

    2019

    Marcus Theatres acquires the Movie Tavern circuit with 208 screens at 22 locations in nine states. Increases footprint by 23% nationwide.

  • Hyatt Regency - Schaumburg

    2019

    Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Ill.