Chuck E. Cheese's New Year Opening Hours: What To Know

Chuck E. Cheese is usually open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, but hours may vary by location. It's a good idea to call ahead or check the website for specific locations and their operating hours during the holidays. Many restaurants will open later and close earlier than normal on New Year's Day, and some may have reduced hours on New Year's Eve as well. Chuck E. Cheese is a popular spot for families to celebrate New Year's Eve, offering games, prizes, and pizza.

Chuck E. Cheese's New Year's opening hours

If you're planning a New Year's celebration at Chuck E. Cheese, it's important to know their opening hours. Most Chuck E. Cheese locations will be open on New Year's Day, but with reduced hours. This means that the usual opening times will be shorter than normal, so be sure to call ahead and check the exact opening hours for the location you plan to visit.

Regular hours may vary by location, but a common schedule for Chuck E. Cheese is as follows:

• Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
• Friday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM

It's worth noting that some locations are closed on Sundays, and those that are open may have reduced hours. Additionally, malls and airports may have different opening hours, so always check before heading out.

Chuck E. Cheese is a family-friendly entertainment restaurant chain, offering arcade games, amusement rides, and musical shows, along with pizza and other food items. It's a great place to celebrate with family and friends, especially if there are kids in your group. So, if you're looking for a fun way to ring in the New Year, Chuck E. Cheese could be the perfect spot!

The history of Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese, the place "Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®", is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded on May 17, 1977, by Atari, Inc.'s co-founder Nolan Bushnell. Bushnell's inspiration for Chuck E. Cheese came from his time working in the amusement park industry and his love for the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland. He envisioned a family-friendly venue that combined pizza with video games and entertainment.

The first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre opened in San Jose, California, in 1977. It was the first restaurant of its kind, offering pizza, animatronic entertainment, and an indoor arcade all under one roof. The name "Chuck E. Cheese" was chosen after Bushnell's initial plan to name the restaurant "Coyote Pizza" fell through when he discovered that the coyote costume he had purchased was actually a rat costume.

By the end of 1979, there were seven Pizza Time Theatre locations across California and Nevada. To expand beyond the West Coast, Bushnell entered into a co-development agreement with Robert Brock of Topeka Inn Management, granting Brock exclusive franchising rights in sixteen states. However, this partnership soon fell apart when Brock became interested in working with Aaron Fechter of Creative Engineering, Inc., whose animatronics he believed could outcompete Bushnell's. Brock formed a new company with Fechter, and they opened their first restaurant in March 1980, leading to a lawsuit from Bushnell for breach of contract.

In the early 1980s, Chuck E. Cheese and its competitor, ShowBiz Pizza Place (founded by Brock and Fechter), engaged in aggressive expansion, often opening competing stores within sight of each other. This period also saw the introduction of new characters and entertainment concepts at Chuck E. Cheese, including cabaret shows and guest stars. However, by the end of 1982, Chuck E. Cheese revenues began to decline due to decreasing popularity of arcades and a shift in focus away from food quality. The video game market crash in 1983 further exacerbated the situation, and in 1984, Pizza Time Theatre Inc. filed for bankruptcy.

In 1985, the company was acquired by Brock Hotel Corporation, the parent company of ShowBiz Pizza Place, leading to a merger that formed ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc. Over the next decade, the two brands were unified and rebranded, eventually becoming known as Chuck E. Cheese's in 1994 and dropping "Pizza" from the name in 1998. The company continued to expand internationally and experiment with new concepts, such as the introduction of a costumed Chuck E. Cheese character and the replacement of animatronics with costumed characters in some locations.

In the 2010s, Chuck E. Cheese underwent a major rebranding, introducing a new rockstar image for its mouse mascot and upscale design features in its restaurants. The company was acquired by Apollo Global Management in 2014, and in 2017, it began piloting a new design concept at several locations, replacing animatronics with dance floors and introducing a card system for games instead of tokens. Despite these changes, financial troubles persisted, and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 dealt a significant blow to the company, leading to another bankruptcy filing.

Today, Chuck E. Cheese continues to be a beloved destination for kids' birthday parties and family entertainment, offering arcade games, rides, shows, and pizza.

Chuck E. Cheese's menu

Pizzas:

Chuck E. Cheese's offers a wide selection of specialty pizzas with various toppings and sauces. Some of their specialty pizzas include:

• Homestyle BBQ Chicken Pizza: BBQ sauce, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, chicken, red onions, and green peppers.
• Spicy Hawaiian Pizza: Sweet chili sauce, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, ham, pineapple, and jalapeños.
• Signature Meatball Pizza: Marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, all-beef meatballs, and fresh spinach.
• Spicy BBQ Piggy Pizza: Spicy Korean BBQ sauce, mozzarella and cheddar cheese, ham, bacon, sausage, jalapeños, and red onions.

They also offer a Build Your Own option, where customers can choose their crust and toppings.

Wings:

Chuck E. Cheese's serves traditional bone-in buffalo wings and oven-baked all-white-meat boneless wings. A range of sauces is available, including hot buffalo, smoky BBQ, sweet chili, lemon pepper, and more. Wings are served with celery and a choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Sides:

The menu features classic sides such as French fries and cheesy bread. The cheesy bread is packed with garlic spread, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese, served with pizza sauce and ranch dressing for dipping.

Desserts:

For dessert, Chuck E. Cheese's offers a giant chocolate chip cookie, served sliced like a pizza. They also have churros dusted with cotton candy, sour apple, and blue raspberry sugar.

Drinks:

A variety of drinks are available, including Pepsi products, premium beers, and wines.

Salads:

Chuck E. Cheese's offers a garden salad with fresh-cut lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, served with a choice of dressing.

Combo Deals:

They also offer combo deals that include pizza, soft drinks, and a discount on gameplay.

It is important to note that menu items and availability may vary by location, and some locations may offer alcoholic beverages.

Chuck E. Cheese's locations

Chuck E. Cheese is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded in 1977, with locations across the United States, Canada, and other countries. The company's headquarters are in Irving, Texas, and each location features arcade games, amusement rides, musical shows, and pizza and other food items. The chain has a long history, with several name changes and mergers over the years. As of 2024, CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, owns and operates approximately 465 locations in the United States and Canada, with an additional 96 franchised locations in the US, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries worldwide.

• San Jose, California (370 S Winchester Blvd) - the first location, opened in 1977
• Citrus Heights, California (7614 Greenback Lane)
• Northridge, California (8425 Reseda Blvd)
• Brooklyn, New York (8949 Bay Pkwy)
• Dallas, Texas (13364 Montfort Dr)
• Irving, Texas (3903 W Airport Fwy)
• Indianapolis, Indiana (10021 E Washington St)
• Columbus, Ohio (3886 Morse Rd)
• Union, New Jersey (2700 US 22)
• Santee, California (275 Town Center Pkwy)

There is also one location in British Columbia, Canada.

Chuck E. Cheese's entertainment options

Chuck E. Cheese is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded in 1977 by Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder of Atari, Inc. The chain is headquartered in Irving, Texas, and each location features arcade games, amusement rides, and musical shows, in addition to serving pizza and other food items. Chuck E. Cheese is considered the #1 family entertainment brand, with close to 40 million guests annually.

Arcade Games

Arcade games are one of the primary draws of Chuck E. Cheese. Customers can play card-operated video games or redemption games, which are games of skill that reward players with tickets based on their score. These tickets can then be redeemed for merchandise, such as candy and toys. The arcade games originally used brass tokens but have since transitioned to a card-based system, known as "Chuck E.'s Play Pass."

Animatronic Shows

Another major attraction at Chuck E. Cheese has been their animatronic shows, featuring the chain's main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, and his band of anthropomorphized animals. Over the years, the format and characters of these shows have evolved, with some locations now opting for costumed characters instead of animatronics. However, the shows remain a beloved part of the Chuck E. Cheese experience for many guests.

Trampoline Zones

Chuck E. Cheese has recently introduced trampoline zones for children at many of their locations. These trampoline areas offer an additional level of physical activity and entertainment for kids, enhancing the overall fun and excitement of the Chuck E. Cheese experience.

Birthday Parties

Chuck E. Cheese is well known for hosting birthday parties for kids, offering packages that include gameplay, food, and drinks. Their affordable prices and fun environment make them a popular choice for families celebrating birthdays.

Other Entertainment Options

In addition to the main attractions mentioned above, Chuck E. Cheese also provides:

• Amusement rides
• Musical shows and performances
• A variety of food options, including pizza, cold-cut sandwiches, chicken wings, and desserts
• Special events and collaborations, such as their recent collaboration with the Harlem Globetrotters

Frequently asked questions