Chuck E. Cheese Gets A Remodel for a New Generation

My kids are older now, but I can remember many a birthday party and many a Sunday afternoon spent in the ballpit of a Chuck E .Cheese restaurant. Fond memories. Crying memories. Scary memories. And that’s just me, never mind the kids. I even wrote about one of those moments in the elevated tubes in my book “Out and About Dad.”

I think in someways Chuck E. Cheese was just part of being a kid back then which meant it was also part of being a parent … “where a kid can be a kid” … AND … “a parent can be a parent” in my eyes. Ha!

As my kids got older, I lost my line of sight on the brand but I’ve recently took notice as I started reading about the brand’s remodeling and reinvention for the next generation. Makes total sense. Gone are the animatronics that I think just felt outdated and kind of creepy. Now there’s more activities and games. More adult-friendly foods for the parents who are there with their kids, who want to be there with their kids. Something for everyone who is there, not just the kids. Feels more appropriate now.

Feels like the timing is right to be honest. With so much of our interest on screens and so much of our interest on other forms of “dining,” let’s go back to some pure family entertainment that’s not about any of that but just about connections and activities and yes some good food that the entire family can enjoy together.

Also totally on trend where the older generation is passing along their “likes” to the younger generation, albeit reinvented a bit. So of course Chuck E. Cheese would reinvent a bit too.

Makes a lot of sense. And it makes a lot of sense coming from a nostalgia brand like Chuck E. Cheese.

In reading some background, sounds like the brand has had a rocky road but I don’t think it’s too late if they get it right. There’s a generation of kids and parents out there ready to embrace, right along with their parents (!), on trend. My daughter and her almost one-year-old being just one of those families. I’ll take them there for old-times sake! Kinda the point!

Go for it! What’s your experience? Jim