Brian Schultz is the founder/owner and CEO of Studio Movie Grill, a modern in-theater cinema-dining concept combining first-run movies with table service restaurants.  Schultz’ is credited as the leader and innovator of this growing segment of the exhibition industry. He championed and won the ability to show first run movies for his Movie Grill concept over 15 years ago, opening the original Studio Movie Grill in 2000, and allowing for the cinema-dining segment of the movie exhibition industry to see enormous growth in recent years.

Previously, Schultz worked in the political sphere as an aide to the late United States Senator from Pennsylvania, Arlen Specter.  During Schultz’ tenure with Senator Specter, he attended a film at the Bethesda Draft House in Maryland, and immediately fell in love with the concept of serving food while watching a movie.  This experience planted the seed for what would become Studio Movie Grill and the rest is history.  

Currently, Studio Movie Grill has 20 theaters in 9 states with 5 additional locations opening this year. Studio Movie Grill, offering state-of-the-art sound and projection capabilities, 100% reserved seating and an eclectic menu featuring it’s own signature STUDIO wines plus a varied slate of alternate programing (SMG With A Twist), attracts annually more than 10 million patrons and hosts thousands of special events.  Alongside regular programming, SMG hosts special needs screenings and outreach & fundraising events as part of its conscious business initiative.

Schultz, who received a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from California State University, is a founding member of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization.  Last year Studio Movie Grill was named one of Dallas’ 100 Fastest-Growing Businesses by the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship at the SMU Cox School of Business.  Brian was most recently the recipient of the 2013 Regional Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year®.His business accomplishments have been recognized by D Magazine, which named him one of the area’s Top Entrepreneurs Under 30 in 1999, and one of the Top Entrepreneurs Under 40 in 2004. He is currently a member of YPO and Conscious Capitalism.

Schultz and his wife Betty have four children.  Active in their local community, the Schultz’ currently serve on the board of Dallas’ Children’s Medical Center, and are founders of the Children’s Trust, which is devoted to improving the lives of children and actively encourages young leaders to become involved with Children’s Medical Center. The Schultz’ and Studio Movie Grill support Variety the Children’s Charity, where Brian serves on the Board, amongst other institutions.