B&B Theatres
B&B Theatres is a family-owned American movie-theater chain founded in Missouri in 1924.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
B&B Theatres, formally B&B Theatres Operating Company, Inc., is a family-owned and operated American cinema chain headquartered in Liberty, Missouri. Its roots date to 1924, when Elmer Bills Sr. established Bills Theaters in Salisbury, Missouri. The business began with the operation of local cinemas and grew through several generations of the Bills family. A parallel theater enterprise was developed by Sterling Bagby, who began working for Bills as a concession clerk in 1936 and later formed the Bagby Traveling Picture Show with his wife, Pauline. Their traveling exhibition business transported seats, projection equipment, films, and concessions to schools and barns, and eventually expanded into a Kansas circuit of drive-in and indoor theaters. The Bills and Bagby businesses were connected by both commercial cooperation and family relationships. Elmer Bills Jr. married Amy, while Bob Bagby later married Bridget Bills, the daughter of Elmer Jr. and Amy. On January 1, 1980, the two theater operations formally merged as B&B Theaters, a name derived from Bills and Bagby. The Fulton Cinema in Missouri became the first theater operating under the unified B&B identity. The merger created a family-controlled regional exhibitor with roots in both traditional indoor cinemas and drive-in exhibition. From 2000 through 2014, B&B pursued a substantial modernization and expansion program. It replaced older sites with newly built facilities, acquired and remodeled theaters, and developed new locations. In 2009, the company selected Christie Digital Systems to supply 2K digital projectors as part of its transition to digital cinema and RealD 3D capability. The conversion was completed by August 2012. B&B also introduced premium and experiential formats, including its Grand Screen premium large-format auditoriums and Marquee Suites dine-in auditoriums. The first Grand Screen and Marquee Suites concepts were introduced in 2010. A major expansion occurred in October 2014, when B&B acquired Dickinson Theatres, an operator based in Overland Park, Kansas. The transaction strengthened B&B's position in the American Midwest and added theaters to its regional network. The company subsequently operated hundreds of screens across a multi-state footprint and was described in the reference material as the fifth-largest theater chain in the United States, with more than 500 screens at 54 locations in 14 states. It maintains offices in Liberty, Salisbury, and Fulton, Missouri. B&B's business centers on theatrical exhibition: selling movie tickets, operating auditoriums, providing concessions, and offering premium viewing and dining experiences. Its principal customer proposition combines a regional, family-operated identity with upgraded cinema formats such as large screens, 3D presentation, and dine-in seating. The chain has operated in states including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. The supplied reference also identifies a planned location at American Dream in New Jersey. A North Carolina location in Morrisville, taken over by B&B in 2021, was reported as closing on January 4, 2026, for redevelopment. Because location counts and market presence can change, the exact current footprint should be verified against the company's latest corporate information.
History
B&B Theatres traces its history to Salisbury, Missouri, where Elmer Bills Sr. founded Bills Theaters in 1924. The early business was rooted in local movie exhibition. Bills met his future wife, Johnnie, after purchasing the Lyric Theater in Salisbury, where she played piano accompaniment for silent films. Their son, Elmer Bills Jr., later joined the family business after graduating from the University of Missouri in 1959. Elmer Jr. married Amy, who had worked as one of the company's concession employees, continuing the family's connection to theater operations. A second family enterprise developed through Sterling Bagby. Bagby began working for Elmer Bills Sr. as a concession clerk at the age of ten in 1936. After serving in World War II, he returned to Missouri, married Pauline, and together they established the Bagby Traveling Picture Show. The traveling operation functioned as a mobile cinema, carrying projection equipment, seating, films, and concessions to venues such as schools and barns. The Bagbys later developed a Kansas circuit consisting of drive-in theaters and conventional indoor cinemas. Their children included Steve, Bob, and Paula. The Bills and Bagby families maintained a long-standing relationship, and their businesses gradually converged. Bob Bagby married Bridget Bills, Elmer Bills Jr.'s daughter, in 1979. On January 1, 1980, the two companies formally merged under the name B&B Theaters, representing Bills and Bagby. The Fulton Cinema became the first official B&B theater. This merger transformed two related Midwestern exhibition operations into a single family-controlled chain. Following the merger, B&B expanded through new construction, acquisitions, remodeling, and replacement of aging facilities. The company undertook especially visible modernization between 2000 and 2014. In October 2000, Sterling Bagby died, after which the remaining family members continued operating the chain. The company developed larger and more technologically advanced auditoriums while retaining its regional and family-operated identity. Technology modernization became a major turning point. In September 2009, B&B announced that Christie Digital Systems would supply 2K digital projectors for the chain's transition from film projection to digital cinema. The new system supported RealD 3D presentations, and the conversion was completed by August 2012. In 2010, B&B introduced its first Grand Screen premium large-format auditorium and its first Marquee Suites dine-in concept. These formats broadened the chain's offering beyond standard auditorium exhibition by emphasizing larger screens, upgraded presentation, food service, and a more hospitality-oriented cinema experience. The company's largest specifically identified acquisition occurred in October 2014, when B&B purchased Dickinson Theatres, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas. The deal expanded B&B's network and reinforced its status as a significant Midwestern theater operator. The resulting chain operated hundreds of screens across a broad group of American states. Reference material describes B&B as the fifth-largest U.S. theater chain, with more than 500 screens at 54 locations in 14 states, although location totals and state counts may vary as theaters open, close, or change ownership. B&B's later operating footprint has included the central and southern United States as well as selected eastern and western markets. The supplied material lists Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, and also mentions a planned theater at the American Dream development in New Jersey. The company has maintained offices in Liberty, Salisbury, and Fulton, Missouri. A Morrisville, North Carolina theater taken over in 2021 was reported as closing on January 4, 2026, for redevelopment. Across its history, B&B has remained a privately held family business focused on theatrical exhibition, concessions, premium formats, and regional expansion.
- 2026
Morrisville location reported to close
[1]The Morrisville location was reported as scheduled to close on January 4, 2026, to permit new development.
- 2021
B&B takes over a Morrisville theater
[1]B&B assumed operation of a theater in Morrisville, North Carolina.
- 2014
Dickinson Theatres is acquired
[1]B&B acquired Dickinson Theatres of Overland Park, Kansas, in October, substantially expanding its theater network.
- 2012
Digital cinema conversion is completed
[1]B&B completed the transition to digital projection by August, enabling digital and RealD 3D presentations throughout the circuit.
- 2010
Grand Screen and Marquee Suites are introduced
[1]The chain premiered its first Grand Screen premium large-format auditorium and its first Marquee Suites dine-in concept.
- 2009
Digital projection conversion begins
[1]B&B selected Christie Digital Systems to supply 2K projectors for its move to digital cinema and RealD 3D capability.
- 2000
Sterling Bagby dies
[1]Sterling Bagby died in October, while the remaining family members continued to operate the chain.
- 1980
Bills and Bagby theaters merge
[1]The two family businesses combined on January 1 under the B&B Theaters name, with Fulton Cinema becoming the first official B&B location.
- 1979
Bob Bagby marries Bridget Bills
[1]The marriage linked the Bagby and Bills families immediately before their theater businesses formally merged.
- 1936
Sterling Bagby begins working for Bills Theaters
[1]Sterling Bagby joined Elmer Bills Sr.'s operation as a concession clerk at age ten and later developed an independent theater business.
Products and positioning
A family-owned regional cinema operator combining traditional movie exhibition with upgraded large-format, 3D, and dine-in theater experiences.
Premium large-format cinema · 2010
Grand Screen
Grand Screen is B&B Theatres' premium large-format auditorium concept. It was introduced in 2010 as part of the company's effort to provide a more immersive alternative to standard cinema presentation, emphasizing a substantially larger screen and an upgraded viewing environment.
Dine-in cinema · 2010
Marquee Suites
Marquee Suites is B&B's dine-in theater concept, introduced in 2010. The format combines movie exhibition with in-auditorium food and beverage service and a more hospitality-oriented seating experience, positioning the cinema as an entertainment and dining destination.
Digital cinema technology · 2009
RealD 3D presentations
B&B upgraded its circuit to digital projection capable of supporting RealD 3D. The company selected Christie 2K digital projectors in 2009 and completed the broader digital conversion in 2012, replacing traditional film-based projection at its theaters.
Cinema exhibition · 1924
Standard movie exhibition
The chain's core offering is theatrical exhibition of newly released and special-event films through conventional indoor cinema auditoriums. The business is complemented by ticketing, concessions, and, at selected sites, premium presentation and dining formats.
Brand decisions
2021
Take over Morrisville, North Carolina theaterOtherBackground
B&B continued to operate and adjust its multi-state theater portfolio.
Action taken
The company took over operation of a Morrisville location in North Carolina.
Aftermath
The location was later reported as scheduled to close on January 4, 2026, for new development.
2014
Acquire Dickinson TheatresM&ABackground
B&B was expanding its regional network through acquisitions, new construction, remodeling, and replacement of older facilities.
Action taken
B&B purchased Dickinson Theatres, an Overland Park, Kansas-based theater operator.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded B&B's footprint and strengthened its position as a major Midwestern cinema chain.
2010
Launch Grand Screen and Marquee Suites conceptsProduct launchBackground
B&B sought to modernize its venues and differentiate its theaters through premium presentation and food-service experiences.
Action taken
The company premiered its first Grand Screen premium large-format auditorium and its first Marquee Suites dine-in auditoriums.
Aftermath
The concepts became part of B&B's premium cinema offering.
2009
Adopt digital projection across the circuitStrategyBackground
The cinema industry was moving from film projection toward digital presentation, including 3D formats.
Action taken
B&B selected Christie Digital Systems to provide 2K digital projectors capable of supporting RealD 3D.
Aftermath
The chain completed its digital conversion by August 2012.
Recent events
- 2026
B&B's Morrisville, North Carolina theater scheduled to close[1]
Other
The Morrisville location, which B&B took over in 2021, was reported as closing on January 4, 2026, to make way for new development.
- 2014
B&B Theatres acquires Dickinson Theatres[1]
M&A
B&B purchased the Overland Park, Kansas-based Dickinson Theatres, expanding its theater network and regional presence.
- 2012
B&B Theatres completes transition to digital cinema[1]
Product generation · Other
The chain completed its conversion to digital projection after selecting Christie 2K projectors in 2009 for digital and RealD 3D presentation.
Sources3 sources
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