AMC posts a first-quarter profit on record revenue

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. posted record revenue and a profit turnaround in the first three months of the year.

The Leawood-based parent company of AMC Theatres on Wednesday said it earned $6.1 million, or 6 cents a share, in January, February and March, compared with a loss of $4.5 million, or 5 cents a share, in the same months of 2014.

Revenue reached a record for the quarter at $653.1 million, 4.9 percent higher than a year ago.

The theater chain has been renovating with leather recliners, expanded food menus, in-theater food service, bars and other amenities. Its efforts helped push food and beverage revenue per patron to $4.48 in the first quarter, a 10.6 percent increase from a year ago.

“We are pleased with our start to 2015, as AMC’s unique connection with guests and unrelenting innovation in comfort and convenience, enhanced food and beverage, and premium sight and sound are generating solid results,” chief executive Gerry Lopez said in the company’s announcement.

Financial details are available in a commentary posted online by the company’s chief financial officer.

This story was originally published April 29, 2015 at 4:05 PM with the headline "AMC posts a first-quarter profit on record revenue."