Well Go USA Entertainment, a family-owned theatrical and home entertainment distribution company, has moved its headquarters from Plano to Allen, the Allen Economic Development Corp. said.

Well Go is known as a leader in distributing action, genre, and independent films to audiences worldwide.

The company said its decision to relocate to Allen reflects a desire to establish roots in a community that it said offers both business and personal appeal. The company said it bought a 10,600-square-foot building, where it will house its team of 32 employees with plans to grow it to 40.

“Allen has everything we need—a vibrant community, exceptional amenities, and a central location that connects us to industry partners on both coasts and internationally,” Doris Pfardrescher, president and CEO of Well Go USA Entertainment, said in a statement.

Well Go USA Entertainment was launched in 1989, shortly after its founders moved to North Texas. Over the years, it has evolved alongside the film industry, transitioning from physical media (DVDs and Blu-rays) to digital platforms and launching its proprietary streaming service, Hi-YAH!, which is dedicated to Asian action cinema. Today, the company collaborates with major streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu, while also engaging audiences through theatrical runs and film festivals.

Three of the movies distributed by Well Go USA Entertainment. [Images via Well Go USA]

‘Creativity and global connections’ in Allen

“The city has an incredible energy that mirrors our own. Allen’s central location and access to talent have already proven instrumental as we position ourselves for future growth,” Dennis Walker, CFO and COO of Well Go, said.

The company said that Allen’s central location and pro-business environment were key factors in its decision to relocate there. Allen’s proximity to major industry hubs on both coasts and its welcoming community stood out as unique advantages.

“Allen continues to attract innovative companies that thrive on creativity and global connections, and Well Go USA Entertainment is a prime example,” AEDC Executive Director and CEO Dan Bowman said in a statement. “We’re excited to support their long-term growth as they expand operations and strengthen their role as a leader in the entertainment industry.”

The company said it has steadily expanded its reach and focus, redefining what constitutes a “Well Go project” to include animations, indie films, and cult horror hits alongside its hallmark action and genre films.

With its move to Allen, Well Go said it’s positioning itself for long-term growth, with plans to broaden its content portfolio, strengthen relationships with global partners, and deepen its presence in the North Texas community.

It is a major sponsor of the Dallas Asian Film Festival and a regular participant in local events.

Evolving with the times and making award-winning films

Well Go was founded in 1989 by Annie Walker, a Taiwanese immigrant to North Texas. Walker’s husband was in the military and the family lived all over the U.S. and world before settling in Texas in 1986. Initially, the family-owned business focused on karaoke videos—”karaoke laser discs to be exact,” the company said.

Well Go’s name comes from the Chinese pronunciation of “hui guo,” meaning “singing dog.”

In the mid-2000s, the company shifted its focus to straight-to-video releases and in the late 2000s, it expanded into the theatrical film distribution and the VOD market. In the 2010s, it became a major distributor of Asian action films in the United States. The company distributes about 18 to 20 movies theatrically per year and 50 to 60 films in total, including video on demand and DVD releases. Its genres include action, horror, indie films, and martial arts.

The company has distributed Oscar-recognized films. The Academy Awards’ international shortlist was recently released and one of Well Go’s movies “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” (Thailand) was shortlisted. It’s the first time a Thai film has ever been shortlisted, the company told us.

Other Oscar-recognized films distributed by the company include:

• “Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale” (Taiwan, 2012) – Shortlisted
• “Burning” (South Korea, 2019) – Shortlisted
• “Better Days” (Hong Kong, 2021) – Nominated

The Allen Economic Development Corporation is funded through a citywide half-cent sales tax and charged with facilitating company relocations and assisting the expansion of existing businesses, which creates jobs and generates additional tax revenue to the community.

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