NEW YORK (CNN) Chuck E. Cheese is no longer exclusively for children.
The adult-oriented Chuck’s Arcade spin-off, which the arcade business is launching, is a contemporary tribute to the games and characters that made Chuck E. Cheese great.
Chuck’s Arcade, like its kid-friendly counterpart, features a blend of classic arcade games like Mortal Kombat and Donkey Kong, as well as more recent titles like Halo and Connect Four Hoops. Additionally, one of the chain’s recognizable animatronic characters, such as Chuck E. Cheese or other members of his Munch’s Make Believe Band, is in charge of each arcade.
Ten arcades are currently operational in malls across the United States, including ones in St. Louis, Tulsa, Oklahoma, El Paso, Texas, and St. Petersburg, Florida. According to a statement, each site has a unique appearance and is embellished with unique artwork honoring the brand’s history.
Naturally, there will be adult prizes to win as well as vintage merchandise for sale at arcades. According to a spokesman who spoke to CNN, some arcades will have food service. For example, the Kansas City facility has a pizza that also offers a limited selection of wine and beer.
According to Chuck E. Cheese CEO David McKillips, the spin-off is a logical step for the business after remodeling 500 of its locations. He sees it as a chance to carry on the arcade tradition in new ways that appeal to both seasoned enthusiasts and a younger generation by offering a carefully chosen blend of modern experiences and vintage favorites.
Five years after declaring bankruptcy at the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, the company is expanding. In an effort to appeal to families on a tight budget, Chuck E. Cheese has invested $350 million in renovations and new price points in recent years.
The opening of Chuck’s Arcade coincides with issues facing its main competitor, Dave & Buster’s. The latter, which is publicly traded, recently reported a 9.4% drop in same-store sales. Its new management has criticized the prior leadership’s poorly thought-out initiatives, which included making too many changes at once.
