Marcus Model Offers Milwaukee Founders a Growth Path
Local operators weighing expansion can study The Marcus Corporation's move from one theater to hotels and restaurants at the free Baum summit.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings
Live Poll
Do sports and entertainment make your city a better place to live?
Greg Marcus, chairman, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation, discussed entrepreneurship, the Brewers' World Series title and family holiday traditions on WTMJ's The Upswing with host Jeff Sherman. The Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit, presented with Marquette University and free to attend, is scheduled for November 18 at the Hilton Milwaukee.
Why it matters
The conversation traces how The Marcus Corporation grew from a single movie theater in Ripon, Wisconsin into hotels, restaurants and other ventures, a path that offers operators a concrete case of expansion from one location into several business lines. The Baum Spirit summit, which honors David Baum, gives local founders a no-cost forum to hear that experience directly.
The only dated figure is the November 18 date for the Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit at the Hilton Milwaukee. The source reports no revenue, headcount or growth comparisons for The Marcus Corporation or for the summit.
The players
The Marcus Corporation
A Milwaukee-based hospitality company that began as a single movie theater in Ripon, Wisconsin and now operates hotels, restaurants and theaters.
Greg Marcus
Chairman, president and CEO of The Marcus Corporation, who leads the company's hotel, theater and restaurant operations.
Marquette University
A private Jesuit university in Milwaukee that is presenting the Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit.
The details
Marcus discussed how the company began with one theater and expanded into hotels, restaurants and other ventures, including Zaffiro's theater dining and Mason Street Grill, which is marking 20 years as a Milwaukee gathering place. The conversation also covered family holiday traditions at Grand Geneva and The Pfister. The Baum Spirit summit is being presented with Marquette University as a free event recognizing David Baum.
Timeline
November 18: Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit at the Hilton Milwaukee.
November 7, 2026: Date of the Upswing interview with Greg Marcus.
Market Landscape
The Marcus Corporation's path from one Ripon movie theater to a multi-line hospitality business is the reference point the interview returns to. Milwaukee's entrepreneurship events, including the Baum summit, draw on that kind of local operator experience.
Milwaukee founders weighing a first expansion can use the Marcus path as a reference for growing from one location into related ventures. The free Baum summit on November 18 offers a low-cost chance to hear from established operators.
The takeaway
Expansion from a single location into adjacent businesses, as The Marcus Corporation did, is a path Milwaukee operators can study directly. Mark November 18 on the calendar for the free Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit at the Hilton Milwaukee.
What happens next
The Baum Spirit of Entrepreneurship Summit takes place November 18 at the Hilton Milwaukee.
Further reading
For more on the local business moves shaping the city, browse Openings & Closings coverage of Milwaukee.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTMJ.
Live Poll
Do sports and entertainment make your city a better place to live?
