:Medieval Times

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| alt1 = Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois

| caption1 = Medieval Times in Schaumburg, Illinois, displaying the coat of arms of Peralada, Catalonia, and the Viscounts Rocabertí, lords of Peralada Castle.{{cite web |title=Peralada |url=https://www.costabravaliving.net/peralada--k37885 |website=Costa Brava Living |access-date=November 25, 2023}} Medieval Times founder Jose Montaner was uncle to the Count of Perelada, with the Count holding stock in the company until 2016.{{cite web |last=Swierk |first=Adam |title=The Untold Truth Of Medieval Times |url=https://www.mashed.com/882954/the-untold-truth-of-medieval-times/ |website=Mashed |date=June 2, 2022 |access-date=November 29, 2023}}

| image2 = Medieval Times Building.JPG

| alt2 = [Medieval Times in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

| caption2 = Medieval Times at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It opened during the 1993 Canadian National Exhibition.{{cite news |last=Kane |first=Marion |title=Visitors can have fun with food at Ex |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-visitors-can-have-fun-w/166243909/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Toronto Star |date=August 18, 1993 |pages=67}}

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The first two Medieval Times-styled shows were developed in the late 1960s by Jose Montaner in Spain at Mallorca and Benidorm. Montaner converted the barbecue restaurant on the family farm to entertainment and food venue. Actors portrayed 11th-century jousting of knights of the northern Spanish and southern French kingdoms of Aragon, Navarre, and the village of Perelada, using stories derived from Montaner's family history. Montaner claims to be a descendant of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/104111166/medieval-times/ |last=Carlos Coto |first=Juan |title=Orlando's latest: Dining with a dash of adventure | newspaper=The Miami Herald | date=August 7, 1988 | pages=1J, 4J }}{{cite news |last=Garza |first=Melita Marie |title=Spanish dinner entertainment harks back to medieval times |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-06-18-9102230919-story.html |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=June 18, 1991 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250220171146/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/06/18/spanish-dinner-entertainment-harks-back-to-medieval-times/ |archive-date=February 20, 2025 }} Accounts indicated that Tino Braña, who was involved in the jousting scenes from the 1961 film El Cid, was involved in staging the jousts since he started working with the Spanish productions in 1978.{{cite news |last1=Sudol |first1=Valerie |title=Yon knight, fleet of foot, train and spar with derring-do |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger-yon-knight-fleet-of-foo/166272315/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Star-Ledger |date=August 8, 1993 |pages=106}} Russell Allen, the then-assistant production manager of the Lyndhurst, New Jersey location, told The Star-Ledger that it would take nearly six to eight months to full train the actors - first with the combat sequences and then their acting skills.

On December 16, 1983, the Spanish investment group Manver (incorporated in the Netherlands Antilles) opened their first United States location in Kissimmee, Florida, about twenty minutes from Walt Disney World. In 1986, they opened their second establishment near Knott's Berry Farm in California. The franchise later expanded, opening locations in major cities in the Southern United States and elsewhere, including Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; Schaumburg, Illinois; Lyndhurst, New Jersey; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Toronto, Ontario.{{cite web |title=Locations |url=https://www.medievaltimes.com/locations |website=Medieval Times |access-date=October 31, 2023}}

In April 1997, the franchises in Florida and California sought bankruptcy protection after losing a court battle with the IRS that required the Buena Park location to pay {{US$|7.5 million}} and the Orlando location to pay {{US$|2.5 million|long=no}} in back taxes (equivalent to about ${{inflation|US|7.5|1997|r=1}} and ${{inflation|US|2.5|1997|r=1}}M in {{inflation/year|US}}). According to the IRS, Medieval Times improperly deducted royalties, loan interest, and management fees in the 1987 and 1989 tax years. When asked why the company was filing for bankruptcy, Alan Friedman, the company's bankruptcy lawyer, told Los Angeles Times "One of the primary reasons for filing was to prevent the IRS from beginning to seize any assets."{{Cite news | last = James | first = Granelli | title = Medieval Times Owners File for Bankruptcy | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date = April 26, 1997 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-04-26-fi-52496-story.html | access-date = August 11, 2009}}

The shows change about every six to seven years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/latest-news/article16624853.html|title=Medieval Times ready to roll out new show|last=Palisin|first=Steve|date=May 31, 2012|newspaper=The Sun News|access-date=June 1, 2012}} A show that premiered in 2017 was notable for being for the first time that lead role was filled by a Queen, rather than a King. This change was due to feedback from guests who wanted to see women in more significant acting roles. The company also stated that it took two months to teach a Queen how to ride an Andalusian horse.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/queen-takes-the-reigns-at-medieval-times-castles-starting-october-19-300539685.html |title=Queen Takes The Reigns at Medieval Times Castles Starting October 19 |website=PR Newswire |language=en |access-date=April 1, 2019 |date=October 19, 2017}} The newest show premiered in late 2024, where a king and queen, each leading their own respective kingdoms, forge an alliance.{{cite news |last=Perry |first=Zack |title=Medieval Times launches first new show since 2017 |url=https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/events/medieval-times-launches-first-new-show-since-2017 |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV) |date=October 21, 2024 |language=en}}

Since 2016, Jose's son, Perico Montaner, is the President and CEO of the private company, which is headquartered in Irving, Texas. As of October 2017, Medieval Times had served over 65 million guests across its entire history as a franchise.

In 2013, Deadline Hollywood reported that production companies Benderspink and Broken Road Productions secured the rights to produce a feature film adaptation of the Medieval Times dinner theater. This was announced just months before the company's 30th anniversary.{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |title=Medieval Times Headed For Movie Screen |url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/medieval-times-headed-for-movie-screen-497797/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Deadline |date=May 13, 2013}}{{cite news |last=Busis |first=Hillary |title=Medieval Times movie: It's coming |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/05/13/medieval-times-movie/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=EW.com |date=May 13, 2013 |language=en}} Although the production companies attempted to shop the film to major film studios, a film adaptation has yet to be produced as of 2025.

{{see also|2023 Medieval Times strike}}

On May 31, 2022, employees at Medieval Times in New Jersey filed for a union election with the NLRB, working with the American Guild of Variety Artists.{{Cite web |title=Medieval Knights LLC {{!}} National Labor Relations Board |url=https://www.nlrb.gov/case/22-RC-296686 |access-date=June 1, 2022 |website=www.nlrb.gov}} In October 2022, the company sued the union over name and logo trademark violations; the suit was subsequently dismissed, though Medieval Times was able to pressure TikTok to shut the union's social media account on intellectual property grounds.{{Cite web |last=Jamieson |first=Dave |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Judge Tosses Medieval Times' Trademark Lawsuit Against Union |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/judge-tosses-medieval-times-trademark-151945287.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Yahoo!}} In November 2022, employees at the Buena Park location also won a union election 27–18 to join the American Guild of Variety Artists,{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/11/12/1135839671/medieval-times-performers-in-california-unionize-following-months-of-debate|title=Medieval Times performers in California unionize following months of debate|last=Ahn|first=Ashley|date=November 12, 2022|access-date=February 23, 2023|newspaper=National Public Radio}} and initiated a strike soon after, in February 2023, over pay and safety concerns.{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2023-02-15/workers-at-medieval-times-strike-citing-low-wages-and-high-risks-for-knightly-work|title=Workers at Medieval Times strike, citing low wages and high risks for knightly work|last=Breijo|first=Stephanie|date=February 15, 2023|newspaper=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=February 23, 2023}} After nine months on strike, in November, the union said it would end the strike and return to work while the negotiating team continues to fight for a "safe and equitable" work environment for cast, crew and animals.{{Cite web |date=November 22, 2023 |title=Medieval Times Buena Park employees end strike and will return to work Wednesday |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/medieval-times-buena-park-employees-011542859.html |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=LA Times via Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}

The dinner theatre was featured in a pivotal scene in the 1996 film The Cable Guy, where the titular character (Jim Carrey) engages in an intense duel with a reluctant Steven (Matthew Broderick). The scene also features a humorous scene where a "serving wench" (Janeane Garofalo) tells her customers that there were no utensils during the medieval times before offering them a refill on their Pepsi beverage.{{cite news |last=Beckerman |first=Jim |title='Cable' gives the knights a lift |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-record-cable-gives-the-knights-a-l/166256561/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Record |date=June 20, 1996 |pages=68}}{{cite book|title=Race, class, and gender in "medieval" cinema|url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Race_Class_and_Gender_in_Medieval_Cinema/e2uADAAAQBAJ|url-access=limited|last=Ramey|first=Lynn T.|year=2007|page=111]|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US |isbn=9781403974273 |access-date=February 21, 2025}} It was filmed at the Buena Park, California location in January 1996{{cite news |title=Medieval Mind? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-medieval-mind/166258317/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=January 23, 1996 |pages=59}}{{cite news |last=Wright |first=Lesley |title=True-Blue Carrey Fans Brave Cold for a Glimpse - Lesley Wright |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-true-blue-carrey-f/166258160/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=January 25, 1996 |pages=101}} while the location was closed for nine days.{{cite news |last=Eyerly |first=Alan |title=Days for Knights and a Network of Prime TImes for 'Cable Guy' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-days-for-knights-a/166260715/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=June 18, 1996 |pages=147}} Around the same time, the chain collaborated with select Sony movie theatres to send ticket-buyers for "The Cable Guy" discounts for the Medieval Times. As a result of the promotion, "The Cable Guy" boosted ticket sales for the Medieval Times restaurant, including a 30% increase in the Lyndhurst, New Jersey location.

During the theatrical release of The Cable Guy, employees from Medieval Times expressed mixed reactions to its appearance in the film. On the one hand, restaurant managers were delighted with the publicity the film brought out. On the other hand, a female employee expressed disappointment at the depiction of the serving wench in the film. Also, spokesperson David Manuel stressed that the theatre would never allow customers to fight in the pit, noting that each of the actors on stage needed extensive training - especially with horse riding and swordsmanship.

Medieval Times was also featured in the 2004 feature film Garden State, featuring Jim Parsons as a knight. It has been featured in episodes of TV shows such as Friends,{{cite episode|last=Green, Rachel |title=The One with the Soap Opera Party|series=Friends|network=NBC|season=9|number=20|airdate=April 24, 2003|quote=And last year, is that why you sent us to that Medieval Times restaurant?}} Cake Boss,"Tournament of Knights and a Tasty Tiramisu" Cake Boss, TLC, June 14, 2010 Hell's Kitchen,"15 Chefs Compete". Hell's Kitchen episode 3. Season 9. July 25, 2011. Fox. The Celebrity Apprentice,{{cite episode|title=Getting Medieval|series=The Apprentice|network=NBC|season=12|number=2|airdate=February 26, 2012}} Close Enough,"The Canine Guy" Close Enough, HBO Max, July 9, 2020. Warner Bros. Walker, Texas Ranger,{{Citation |last=Norris |first=Eric |title=Medieval Crimes |date=2001-04-21 |work=Walker, Texas Ranger |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0743517/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |others=Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard Jr, Sheree J. Wilson}} and Saturday Night Live.{{cite news |last=Ivie |first=Devon |title=Medieval Times Should Be So Lucky to Employ Adam Driver's Unhinged Knight |url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/snl-adam-driver-medieval-times-sketch-watch.html |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=Vulture |date=January 26, 2020 |language=en}}

{{location map+|United States

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|caption=Locations of the Medieval Times castles — 8px

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{{Location map~|United States|position=top|lat=28.419411|long=-81.581200|label=Orlando |mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=right|lat=33.8674|long=-117.9981|label=Buena Park |mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=left|lat=40.8058|long=-74.1138|label=Lyndhurst |mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=42.0334|long=-88.0834|label=Chicago|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=32.7767|long=-96.7970|label=Dallas|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=43.6532|long=-79.3832|label=Toronto|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=33.6954|long=-78.8802|label=Myrtle Beach|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=39.1955|long=-76.7228|label=Baltimore|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=33.9807|long=-84.0810|label=Atlanta|mark=Castle.svg

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{{Location map~|United States|position=bottom|lat=33.4949|long=-111.9217|label=Scottsdale|mark=Castle.svg

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As of 2025, the Medieval Times has opened ten locations: nine in the United States and one in Canada.

• Orlando Castle (December 16, 1983, Kissimmee, Florida)
• Buena Park Castle (June 5, 1986, Buena Park, California){{cite news |title=Medieval Times Buena Park Ad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-medieval-times-bue/166165713/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=May 30, 1986 |page=116 |quote=Grand Opening – June 5}}
• Lyndhurst Castle (February 14, 1990, Lyndhurst, New Jersey){{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Scott |title=Lyndhurst mayor: 'I think we've got it made' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-lyndhurst-mayor-i-thin/166241474/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Herald-News |date=February 7, 1989 |pages=41}}{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Mark |title=Medieval times to return on Valentine's Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jersey-journal-medieval-times-to-ret/166241705/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Jersey Journal |date=February 2, 1990 |pages=13}}{{cite news |last=Rubin |first=Hannele |title=Knight moves Duels, wenches, & spareribs at 'Medieval Times' |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news-knight/166241354/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Central New Jersey Home News |date=June 8, 1990 |pages=52}}
• Chicago Castle, (June 15, 1991, Schaumburg, Illinois){{cite news |title=Medieval Times Chicago Ad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-medieval-times-chicago/166242448/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=May 31, 1991 |pages=102}}
• Dallas Castle (June 12, 1992, Dallas, Texas){{cite news |last=Ramstad |first=Evan |title=Dine and cheer on your knight at new attraction |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-monitor-dine-and-cheer-on-your-knigh/166242588/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Associated Press |date=May 26, 1992 |pages=16}}{{cite news |title=Medieval Times Dallas Ad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-medieval-times/166242631/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |date=May 29, 1992 |pages=111}}
• Myrtle Beach Castle (June 18, 1995, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina){{cite news |last1=McCollum |first1=Brian |title=Medieval Times takes you back to enjoy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/sun-news-medieval-times-takes-you-back-t/166242724/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=Sun-News |date=June 16, 1995 |pages=52}}
• Baltimore Castle (August 22, 2003, at Arundel Mills, Hanover, Maryland){{cite news |last1=Toussaint |first1=Karen |title=History comes alive during Dinner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-aegis-history-comes-alive-during-din/166242967/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Aegis |date=September 5, 2003 |pages=23}}
• Atlanta Castle (July 21, 2006, at Sugarloaf Mills, Lawrenceville, Georgia){{cite news |last1=Lanuza |first1=Celeste |last2=Wolaver |first2=Nicholas |title=Medieval Times Kingdom Now in Lawrenceville |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-medieval-times/166163441/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=August 10, 2006 |pages=P37}}{{cite news |last=Poole |first=Shelia |title=A queen will take charge at Medieval Times Atlanta |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-a-queen-will-ta/166163648/ |access-date=February 19, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=November 5, 2018 |pages=D2}}
• Scottsdale Castle (August 2, 2019, Scottsdale, Arizona){{cite news |last=Frigerio |first=Josh |title=Medieval Times to open its first Arizona castle near Scottsdale on Friday: What you need to know |url=https://www.abc15.com/entertainment/events/opening-of-medieval-times-near-scottsdale-has-been-delayed-venue-is-waiting-on-final-permits |work=ABC15 Arizona in Phoenix (KNXV) |date=1 August 2019 |language=en}}

• Toronto Castle (August 18, 1993, Toronto, Ontario){{efn|coincided with the 1993 Canadian National Exhibition.{{cite news |last=James |first=Royson |title='Medieval Castle' seen as new draw at Ex site |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-medieval-castle-seen/166243150/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Toronto Star |date=February 3, 1993 |pages=16}}{{cite news |last1=Taylor |first1=Bill |title=Middle Ages reborn at Ex |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-middle-ages-reborn-at-e/166243844/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Toronto Star |date=August 20, 1993 |pages=4}}{{cite news |title=The Ex Ad |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-the-ex-ad/166244012/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |work=The Toronto Star |date=August 18, 1993 |pages=34}}}}

• List of dinner theaters
• Le Puy du Fou

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin|2}}

• {{cite book |last=Martin|first=David G.|title=The Philadelphia Campaign: June 1777 – July 1778|location=Conshohocken, PA|publisher=Combined Books|year=1993|isbn=0-938289-19-5}} 2003 Da Capo reprint, {{ISBN|0-306-81258-4}}.

{{refend}}

• {{official website|http://www.medievaltimes.com}}
• {{Commons category-inline|Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament}}

{{Buena Park, California}}

Category:1983 establishments in Florida

Category:Buena Park, California

Category:Companies based in Irving, Texas

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1997

Category:Dinner theatre

Category:Lyndhurst, New Jersey

Category:Medieval-themed fairs

Category:Restaurant chains in the United States

Category:Schaumburg, Illinois

Category:Theatrical jousting

Category:Theme restaurants

Category:Tourist attractions in Atlanta

Category:Tourist attractions in Baltimore

Category:Tourist attractions in Bergen County, New Jersey

Category:Tourist attractions in Cook County, Illinois

Category:Tourist attractions in Dallas

Category:Tourist attractions in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Category:Tourist attractions in Orange County, California

Category:Tourist attractions in Orlando, Florida

Category:Tourist attractions in Toronto

Category:Kissimmee, Florida