Making Ordinary Days Extraordinary
for Over 80 Years
Celebrating our Past – Building our Future
The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was founded on November 1, 1935 by Ben Marcus, with the purchase of a single movie theatre in Ripon, Wisconsin. Today, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries with two divisions, Marcus Theatres® and Marcus® Hotels and Resorts.
- 1935
- 1949
- 1958
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- 1962
- 1972
- 1972
- 1974
- 1992
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- 1999
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- 2019
1935
Ben Marcus opens his first movie theatre in Ripon, Wis. on November 1.
1949
Marcus Theatres opens its first drive-in movie theatre.
1958
Marcus Theatres operates 36 theatres and has 900 employees.
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.
1962
Ben Marcus purchases The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee out of bankruptcy; Steve Marcus joins the company as Pfister GM.
1972
All businesses are brought together under The Marcus Corporation umbrella; company goes public.
1972
Company purchases the Sheraton Schroeder Hotel in Milwaukee, now the Hilton Milwaukee.
1974
First Budgetel Inn opens in Oshkosh, Wis.; concept developed by Steve Marcus.
1992
Greg Marcus joins the company.
1993
The Marcus Corporation moves to the New York Stock Exchange.
1993
Marcus Theatres expands outside of Wisconsin; enters Chicago market with new theatre in Gurnee, Ill.
1993
Marcus Hotels purchases the former Playboy Club in Lake Geneva, Wis.; now the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa.
1999
Marcus Theatres unveils its first UltraScreen® premium large-format screen.
2001
Marcus Hotels opens the new Hilton Madison Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis.
2004
Limited-service lodging division, including Baymont Inns & Suites (formerly Budgetel), sold for $415 million.
2005
Marcus Hotels opens new Chicago hotel, now the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown; purchases the Wyndham Hotel in Milwaukee, now the InterContinental Milwaukee.
2006
Company returns $215 million to shareholders from the sale of the limited-service lodging division as a $7 per share special dividend.
2006
Marcus Hotels opens the Platinum Hotel & Spa luxury condominium property in Las Vegas.
2007
Marcus Hotels, in partnership with Skirvin Partners in Development, opens the restored Skirvin Hilton hotel in Oklahoma City.
2007
Marcus Theatres acquires 11 locations with 122 screens in Minnesota, North Dakota and Iowa.
2007
Marcus Theatres installs its first Digital 3D system.
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.
2008
Marcus Theatres acquires seven locations with 83 screens in Nebraska.
2009
Greg Marcus elected CEO; Steve Marcus continues as chairman.
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.
2011
Marcus Theatres deploys digital cinema, branded MDX® (Marcus Digital Xperience®), at virtually all screens.
2011
Miller Time® Pub & Grill restaurant concept debuts at the Hilton Milwaukee; joins ChopHouse, Kil@Wat® and Mason Street Grill® internally developed brands.
2012
Marcus Hotels becomes majority owner and manager of the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln, Neb.; now The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel.
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.
2013
Marcus Theatres launches successful $5 Tuesday promotion – the start of its focus on special promotions to drive attendance.
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.
2015
Marcus Theatres’ Magical Movie Rewards℠ loyalty program reaches one million members within its first year.
2015
Marcus Theatres opens the Marcus Palace Cinema in Sun Prairie, Wis. featuring a fresh new design and the latest features and amenities.
2015
Marcus Theatres introduces Reel Sizzle® concept inspired by iconic diners of the 50s featuring burgers, ice cream and shakes.
2015
Company purchases the SafeHouse® iconic spy-themed restaurant and bar in Milwaukee; further expansion planned.
2015
Fiscal year-end changed to last Thursday in December.
2016
Completely renovated Country Club Hills Cinema opens in Illinois; 6th location in greater Chicago.
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.
2017
Marcus Hotels opens second SafeHouse® spy-themed restaurant and bar in Chicago.
2017
Marcus Theatres opens Southbridge Crossing Cinema in Shakopee, Minn., company’s 11th theatre in Minnesota.
2017
Marcus Theatres opens first BistroPlex℠ “restaurant that serves movies” in Greendale, Wis.
2017
Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District opens in Omaha, Neb., managed by Marcus Hotels.
2017
Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of the Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel in Chapel Hill, N.C.
2018
Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of The Murieta Inn and Spa in Rancho Murieta, Calif.
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.
2019
Marcus Theatres acquires the Movie Tavern circuit with 208 screens at 22 locations in nine states. Increases footprint by 23% nationwide.
2019
Marcus Hotels & Resorts assumes management of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg in Schaumburg, Ill.