UltraStar Cinemas, the 34th largest cinema company in the United States, is the only locally owned and operated theater company in San Diego County.
Headquartered in Vista, UltraStar was the first theater chain in the world to fully equip all of its locations with Pure Digital Cinema, which combines state-of-the-art digital projection and digital sound to provide the highest quality movie presentation available.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Alan Grossberg, the president and CEO of UltraStar, about the company and the business of operating 86 screens at 10 sites throughout Southern California.
Carlsbad Business Journal: What is your professional background?
Grossberg: I started operating theaters in San Diego in 1976. My first theater was the Flower Hill Cinemas in Del Mar. Since then, I have owned and operated numerous theaters throughout San Diego County. This year will be my 32nd year of owning and operating theaters in the San Diego market.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Grossberg: UltraStar Cinemas was formed in 1998 by myself and John Ellison, Jr., the company's senior vice president and COO. Prior to that, we started CinemaStar Theaters in 1989, which we took public in 1994. We both resigned from CinemaStar in 1997 and started UltraStar as a private company.
CBJ: What is UltraStar's philosophy and mission?
Grossberg: Nothing less than excellence. Other cinema companies show movies for a living. At UltraStar, we pride ourselves in entertaining our guests and our strong community involvement.
CBJ: What is unique about UltraStar?
Grossberg: In 2005, UltraStar was the first theater chain in the world to equip all of our theaters with Digital Projection, being on the forefront of technology by bringing Pure Digital Cinema to our guests.
CBJ: What sets UltraStar apart from other theater chains?
Grossberg: With our digital capabilities, in addition to exhibiting major motion pictures, we are able to bring alternative content into our theaters such as concerts, operas, ballets and special programming, including the Academy Awards, Charger football games and the Super Bowl, as well as other sporting events and entertainment.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of UltraStar?
Grossberg: We will continue to be the industry leader in adding the latest technologies, including 3-D presentations and satellite broadcasts. We are currently expanding into Arizona with three new complexes this year, including a 14-screen megaplex in Surprise, a 10-screen megaplex in Lake Havasu and a 14-screen megaplex in Maricopa. In addition, UltraStar is continuing to look for new and exciting opportunities in San Diego and other areas in Southern California.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of this company?
Grossberg: Our company employs more than 400 people. We strive to ensure that our employees, who we refer to as castmembers, have a fun and safe environment to work in and that they are treated with the same respect and courtesy that we expect them to treat our guests with.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Grossberg: Without a doubt, I enjoy the people that work with me to ensure that UltraStar constantly brings superior entertainment and customer service to our guests.
CBJ: What is your greatest accomplishment in business?
Grossberg: Pioneering the development and deployment of Pure Digital Cinema into all of our theaters.
CBJ: What other information would you like to share about the company?
Grossberg: Over the past 10 years, UltraStar acquired eight older cinemas in San Diego County, including Del Mar, La Costa, Oceanside, Poway, Mission Valley, Bonsall and Chula Vista. Each were local community theaters that were scheduled to close. We were able to re-establish each as successful community theaters. UltraStar is proud to be your local hometown theater.
For more information, call UltraStar at (760) 597-5777 or visit www.UltraStarMovies.com.
Headquartered in Vista, UltraStar was the first theater chain in the world to fully equip all of its locations with Pure Digital Cinema, which combines state-of-the-art digital projection and digital sound to provide the highest quality movie presentation available.
The Carlsbad Business Journal interviewed Alan Grossberg, the president and CEO of UltraStar, about the company and the business of operating 86 screens at 10 sites throughout Southern California.
Carlsbad Business Journal: What is your professional background?
Grossberg: I started operating theaters in San Diego in 1976. My first theater was the Flower Hill Cinemas in Del Mar. Since then, I have owned and operated numerous theaters throughout San Diego County. This year will be my 32nd year of owning and operating theaters in the San Diego market.
CBJ: What is the company's background and history?
Grossberg: UltraStar Cinemas was formed in 1998 by myself and John Ellison, Jr., the company's senior vice president and COO. Prior to that, we started CinemaStar Theaters in 1989, which we took public in 1994. We both resigned from CinemaStar in 1997 and started UltraStar as a private company.
CBJ: What is UltraStar's philosophy and mission?
Grossberg: Nothing less than excellence. Other cinema companies show movies for a living. At UltraStar, we pride ourselves in entertaining our guests and our strong community involvement.
CBJ: What is unique about UltraStar?
Grossberg: In 2005, UltraStar was the first theater chain in the world to equip all of our theaters with Digital Projection, being on the forefront of technology by bringing Pure Digital Cinema to our guests.
CBJ: What sets UltraStar apart from other theater chains?
Grossberg: With our digital capabilities, in addition to exhibiting major motion pictures, we are able to bring alternative content into our theaters such as concerts, operas, ballets and special programming, including the Academy Awards, Charger football games and the Super Bowl, as well as other sporting events and entertainment.
CBJ: What do you see for the future of UltraStar?
Grossberg: We will continue to be the industry leader in adding the latest technologies, including 3-D presentations and satellite broadcasts. We are currently expanding into Arizona with three new complexes this year, including a 14-screen megaplex in Surprise, a 10-screen megaplex in Lake Havasu and a 14-screen megaplex in Maricopa. In addition, UltraStar is continuing to look for new and exciting opportunities in San Diego and other areas in Southern California.
CBJ: What is the most challenging aspect of this company?
Grossberg: Our company employs more than 400 people. We strive to ensure that our employees, who we refer to as castmembers, have a fun and safe environment to work in and that they are treated with the same respect and courtesy that we expect them to treat our guests with.
CBJ: What do you enjoy most about your position?
Grossberg: Without a doubt, I enjoy the people that work with me to ensure that UltraStar constantly brings superior entertainment and customer service to our guests.
CBJ: What is your greatest accomplishment in business?
Grossberg: Pioneering the development and deployment of Pure Digital Cinema into all of our theaters.
CBJ: What other information would you like to share about the company?
Grossberg: Over the past 10 years, UltraStar acquired eight older cinemas in San Diego County, including Del Mar, La Costa, Oceanside, Poway, Mission Valley, Bonsall and Chula Vista. Each were local community theaters that were scheduled to close. We were able to re-establish each as successful community theaters. UltraStar is proud to be your local hometown theater.
For more information, call UltraStar at (760) 597-5777 or visit www.UltraStarMovies.com.