A BELOVED restaurant chain has rolled out a new feature just for adults at ten of its locations.
Chuck E. Cheese’s new ‘Chuck’s Arcade’ lets grown-ups play nostalgic games and buy retro merch.
Chuck E. Cheese now has arcades made exclusively for adults[/caption]
The company describes ‘Chuck’s Arcade’ as a “modern-day love letter to the games and people who made Chuck E. Cheese great”.
Players can try old favourites like Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat, as well as newer hits like Halo and Connect Four Hoops.
Each arcade is “overseen” by one of the chain’s animatronic characters, like Chuck E. Cheese himself or Munch’s Make Believe Band pals.
Ten locations have opened across US malls, with arcades in St. Petersburg, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; El Paso, Texas; and St. Louis.
Each is decked out with original artwork reflective of the brand’s history, according to the press release.
Adults can win prizes, pick up “old-school merch” and some venues even serve food and drinks.
Unlike Chuck E. Cheese’s arcades designed for children and families, the new ‘Chuck’s Arcades’ are standalone arcades.
CEO David McKillips says the move is a “natural evolution” for the company after the chain recently revamped 500 sites for $350 million.
He described it as an “opportunity to extend our arcade legacy into new formats that engage both lifelong fans and a new generation through a curated mix of retro classics and cutting-edge experiences.”
The expansion comes five years after the brand filed for bankruptcy during the pandemic.
Chuck E. Cheese emerged from bankruptcy after shedding around $705 million in debt and appointing new leadership.
Since 2021, the company has invested $350 million in revamping its venues to attract more budget-conscious customers.
Old animatronics were replaced with floor-to-ceiling jumbotrons showing live character shows, and trampoline zones were added.
Chuck E. Cheese also introduced a three-tier membership program, including a 12-month pass last summer.
Over 79,000 passes were sold across 600 locations in 2023, followed by over 400,000 in 2024.
There are around 468 Chuck E. Cheese locations in the US, along with 10 in Canada.
Founded in May 1977, the company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.
Each location has arcade games, amusement rides and musical shows, while also serving pizza and other food items.
There are nearly 500 Chuck E. Cheese locations in North America[/caption]
