Back in the golden age of 1977, when Atari was king, its founder, Nolan Bushnell, thought it would be a good idea to open a children's restaurant that offered what he called “interactive entertainment.”
That restaurant was called Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theater, and although the name has been shortened since the day the first location opened its doors in San Jose, California, many things about the iconic brand haven't changed much.
Related: Chuck E. Cheese and Applebee's have new names on Grubhub
However, Chuck E. Cheese just announced a major change for the first time in its 46 years of existence. That's because of his menu, which is becoming more artisanal in an effort to appeal to parents who are tired of eating hard, cardboard-style pizza.
The new items include four new “baked-to-order” pizzas, including a signature meatball, Homemade BBQ Chicken, Spicy Hawaiian and Spicy BBQ Piggy, as well as three new wing flavors (Buffalo BBQ, Louisiana Honey Hot and Spicy Korean BBQ). and two new dressings (Lemon Pepper and Chili Lime).
Chuck E. Cheese also announced a new dessert concept with celebrity chef Buddy Valastro earlier this year, offering cake slices with Confetti, Vanilla Rainbow and Chocolate Fudge.
Since Chuck E. Cheese's parent company, CEC Entertainment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020, the chain has tried a variety of things to stay afloat, including impersonating Pasqually's Pizza & Wings on Grubhub to attract new customers.
On December 14, exclusively with Reuters, it was reported that Chuck E. Cheese is working with investment bank Goldman Sachs “on an auction process that could attract private equity firms as well as peers such as Dave & Busters Entertainment,” according to anonymous sources.
“CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, has told potential buyers that it expects to generate about $1.2 billion in revenue and $195 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) this anus”.
Here's why we just bought shares of this fast food chain! (It is not what you are thinking)