Regal Entertainment Group issued a press release today that announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase the entire Hollywood Theaters chain, which has 48 locations in 16 states and 3 U.S. territories. The press release mentions 43, but the Hollywood Theaters web site agrees with our listing, except that we don't have the Cayman Islands location in our records. It's possible that not all theaters will be part of the acquisition and will be closed or sold.

The deal is subject to the normal reviews and conditions, which may include offloading theaters in areas where overlaps occur, but no additional details were provided.

Hollywood Theaters was formed in 1999 when the six-location Wallace Theater Corporation purchased Hollywood Theaters, Inc., which had 73 locations. Regal Entertainment Group currently has 540 locations under the Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres, and Edwards Theatres brands.

Source: Regal Entertainment Group Press Release. Thanks to reader Ron H. for sending us this announcement!