Jan 10, 2025 - Business

Chuck E. Cheese bounces back

Nathan Bomey

A mascot in a mouse costume walks next to kids at a Chuck E. Cheese — Chuck E. Cheese recently launched a subscription service and overhauled its menu. Photo: CEC Entertainment

Who needs an animatronic mouse anyway?

State of play: Chuck E. Cheese is on the comeback trail after its parent company filed for bankruptcy protection during the pandemic.

CEC Entertainment has posted eight straight months of same-store sales growth, CEO Dave McKillips tells CNBC.

Zoom in: The restaurant and arcade chain recently launched a subscription service, introduced trampolines (which cost extra) and overhauled its menu.

This came after Chuck E. Cheese ditched the animatronic band that used to creepily play tunes for parents as their kids partied in the ball pit.

💭 Nathan's thought bubble: Chuck E. Cheese has come a long way since this infamous 2008 WSJ report about the unusual number of adult fights that took place there.

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to eliminate a reference to CEC Entertainment climbing out of debt.

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Chuck E. Cheese bounces back

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