Alamo Drafthouse Layoffs Amid Industry Challenges

Alamo Drafthouse, a popular theater chain recently acquired by Sony Pictures Entertainment, has laid off 15 corporate employees, representing 9% of its corporate staff, as part of a restructuring effort to streamline operations. Additionally, a significant number of hourly employees across its 44 theater locations were let go due to a seasonal slowdown in moviegoing after the holiday rush. Some reports, such as from Drafthouse United, allege that up to 25% of hourly staff at certain locations were affected, though official figures remain undisclosed. The layoffs have sparked concern among employees about the company's long-term plans for film programming and preservation. The company has stated that laid-off hourly workers are eligible for rehire when business activity picks up. The layoffs, described as an internal decision rather than a directive from Sony, occur amidst a challenging period for the cinema industry, still recovering from COVID-19 and impacted by recent labor strikes.