Century Theaters: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Century Theatres traces its roots to 1941, when Raymond W. Syufy Sr. built his first theater in Vallejo, California, under the name Syufy Enterprises. The chain's signature Century 21 theater, a distinctive domed structure adjacent to San Jose's Winchester Mystery House, opened on November 24, 1964, and became an architectural landmark, complete with a functional rooftop ornament used by theater employees performing maintenance. The company adopted the "Century Theatres" name in the early-to-mid 1990s, having previously been known as Syufy Enterprises and SyuFy Luxury Theatres.

Century Theatres was headquartered in San Rafael, California, and grew to operate theaters across California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and eventually into the Pacific Northwest, Texas, Alaska, and parts of the Midwest. The chain had a notable history of litigation against larger competitor AMC Theatres over alleged anti-competitive practices, though both companies largely stopped suing each other by the late 1990s. On August 8, 2006, Texas-based Cinemark Theatres completed its acquisition of Century Theatres, and many former Century locations continue operating under the Century brand as part of the Cinemark family.

Cinemark itself was founded in 1977 (with some sources citing 1984 for the modern brand) by Lee Roy Mitchell and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Cinemark's portfolio also includes Rave Cinemas and Tinseltown USA, alongside the Century brand. Today, Cinemark operates nearly 500 theaters and more than 5,600 screens across the United States and Latin America, employing roughly 18,800 people. Century Theatres' workforce includes concession and box office staff, projectionists, ushers, and theater managers supporting its large multiplex locations.

Company culture and employee programs: As part of Cinemark, Century Theatres benefits from the parent company's investment in premium moviegoing amenities, including Cinemark XD large-format screens, luxury reclining seating, and dine-in restaurant concepts. Cinemark has continued to diversify its offerings, including new family entertainment concepts like Gamescape. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by location, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the movie theater and entertainment industry, including Century Theatres and its parent Cinemark, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Century Theatres is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for movie theater and entertainment venue employers, particularly for roles involving cash handling and customer service in a public venue setting.

The hiring process for theater-level positions at Century Theatres typically includes an application, an interview with a theater manager, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a movie theater role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Century Theatres may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Century Theatres or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.