Chuck E. Cheese's

Chuck E. Cheese's is a franchise of giant video arcades complemented by small rides, pizza (a central focus), and other popular diversions for young children such as climbing equipment, tubes, and giant slides. Its logo and mascot, named Chuck E. Cheese, is a giant anthropomorphic mouse. Often, individual locations will employ someone to portray this character wearing a full-body costume. Employees will sometimes greet guests and lavish attention on children who are celebrating their birthdays at the facility. The character's appearance has evolved over the years from a having a rat-like elongated nose to the mouse-like appearance of today.

Related Topics:
Video arcade - Pizza - Logo - Mascot - Anthropomorphic - Mouse - Birthdays

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The business was founded in 1977 by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell as the Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre, and featured singing animatronic characters, such as Crusty the Cat, Jasper T. Jowls, and the Warblettes performing with Chuck E. in a "theater" where customers could eat their pizza.

Related Topics:
1977 - Atari - Nolan Bushnell - Animatronic - Theater

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In 1984, parent company Pizza Time Theatre, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was purchased by competitor ShowBiz Pizza, which also featured pizza, video games, and singing animatronic characters. It was at this time that Richard Frank became the CEO and decided to change the target audience from the 10 to 17 range to the 0 to 12 range they have today. Both the Chuck E. Cheese's and ShowBiz names continued to be used until 1992, when Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza became the name for all of the restaurants.

Related Topics:
1984 - Chapter 11 - Bankruptcy - Video games - 1992

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In 1999, CEC Entertainment, Inc., the owners of Chuck E. Cheese's, bought out their own primary competitor, Discovery Zone.

Related Topics:
1999 - Discovery Zone

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