April 8, 2024
New York, NY (April 8, 2024) - EFA Partners, a leading financial advisory firm specializing in the entertainment and media sectors, recently facilitated the arrangement of senior bank debt for Emagine Entertainment. This innovative operator of luxury cinemas across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin runs 27 theaters featuring over 320 screens. Emagine is noted as the 9th largest theater circuit in North America, as per the 2023 Giants of Exhibition report by Boxoffice Pro. This new debt facility successfully refinanced all of Emagine’s existing senior debt into more advantageous, long-term bank financing.
Founded in 1997 by Paul Glantz, Emagine started in Birch Run, Michigan, and has experienced significant growth ever since. All Emagine theaters offer adult guests the option to enjoy cocktails, beer, or wine, while also ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere. The company is committed to exceptional customer service and providing the ultimate cinema experience.
As an industry trailblazer, Emagine was the first American cinema chain to fully adopt digital projection. Its Birch Run venue led the way in Michigan with complete stadium seating, and Emagine introduced 4K projection in the Detroit market. The company continued ito innovative in 2022 by partnering with Caesars Entertainment to create the Caesars Sportsbook Lounge Powered by Emagine. Furthermore, Emagine has introduced various cinema events such as Breakfast & Movie, Live Q&A sessions, Senior Cinema Luncheon, Sensory Friendly Films, among others.
Ralph Willis, Managing Partner and founding principal of EFA Partners, expressed his satisfaction in advising Emagine, acknowledging the challenges of securing bank financing in the current market, particularly for film exhibitors. He noted Emagine’s consistent profitability and property ownership as key factors in gaining the confidence of the banking group.
EFA Partners boasts over 70 years of combined experience in finance for entertainment, media, and technology sectors. Having worked with over 200 companies and arranged upwards of $1.8 billion in capital, the firm is known for its comprehensive approach and deep industry connections. For Emagine, EFA meticulously prepared materials to showcase the cinema’s appeal, connected financial groups with Emagine’s team, obtained competitive proposals, and aided in finalizing the deal.
Paul Glantz, Chairman of Emagine, commended the EFA team for their long-standing advisory role and looked forward to continued collaboration. The successful negotiation with lenders has enabled Emagine to focus on business expansion and sustaining its reputation for luxury cinema experiences.
About EFA Partners
EFA Partners is a boutique financial advisory firm with offices in New York and Atlanta focused on the entertainment, media, and technology companies. It provides investment banking services focused on arranging growth capital, mergers and acquisitions, and financial consulting. In entertainment, its targeted sectors include movie theaters, family entertainment centers, theme parks, water parks, concert venues, hotels, casinos, sports, and others. In media and technology, EFA focuses on companies in film/television post-production, film/television distribution, communications services, recorded music, music publishing, and others.