Chuck E. Cheese: Open For Fun Or Closed For Good?

Chuck E. Cheese is a family restaurant and arcade game venue that has been a beloved fixture of American childhoods for decades. However, in recent years, the franchise has undergone significant changes, including the removal of iconic features such as animatronics, tokens, and curtains. These changes have sparked strong emotions among fans, with some lamenting the loss of cherished childhood memories and others expressing excitement about new offerings. Despite the controversy, Chuck E. Cheese continues to expand, with new locations opening across the United States, offering updated attractions like trampoline zones and ninja run obstacle courses.

Characteristics	Values
Medford location opening	Fall 2024
Medford location construction completion	Late September or early October 2024
Medford location new features	Adventure Zones, trampoline zone, ninja run obstacle course
Medford location	Only Chuck E. Cheese location in Southern Oregon
Number of locations in Portland area	2
Number of locations in Redding	1
Number of locations closed in 2024	10

New locations opening

Chuck E. Cheese is expanding internationally, with a focus on the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East, and Europe. The company has signed a development agreement to open new locations in the Dominican Republic, building on its successful franchise operations in Honduras and El Salvador. This expansion is a testament to the brand's resilience and international success.

In 2021, Chuck E. Cheese expanded its global presence with seven new store openings in Chile, Peru, Saudi Arabia, El Salvador, and Bahrain. The company has also secured agreements with new franchise partners in Qatar, Romania, Kuwait, Surname, and Guyana. With its innovative platforms, such as a smaller format for quicker ROI and an immersive "4 Seasons of Fun" marketing program, Chuck E. Cheese remains several years ahead of its competitors.

The company is actively seeking multi-unit franchise partners in Asia, Europe, South America, and other available markets. They offer a comprehensive turn-key support program with 40+ years of management experience and an engaged franchise community. Chuck E. Cheese's strong brand and profitable business model make it an attractive opportunity for potential investors in the lucrative and engaging family entertainment center (FEC) segment.

Chuck E. Cheese's international expansion demonstrates its commitment to bringing joy to kids and families worldwide, solidifying its position as the world's leading family entertainment brand.

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Locations closing

Chuck E. Cheese has been cutting costs for years, despite making major profits. They have removed features like lights, curtains, tokens, tickets, and animatronics. They have also replaced their iconic stage with a dance floor. These changes have angered many fans, who believe the company has ruined the franchise and destroyed everything that made it special.

As a result, Chuck E. Cheese has been in and out of bankruptcy since the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the company closed around 10 locations across the United States, with a few more expected to follow. The full list of closed locations includes:

Arlington, Texas
Fargo, North Dakota
Bridgewater, New Jersey
Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Joplin, Missouri
Hagerstown, Maryland
Davenport, Iowa

Some sources also mention Omaha, Nebraska, as a potential location for closure, but this has not been confirmed. Additionally, Port Orange, Florida, and Gun Hill, New York, were removed from the Chuck E. Cheese website, indicating they may also be closing soon.

It is important to note that while Chuck E. Cheese is closing some locations, they have also opened 10 new locations in the last year, as well as additional locations in other countries. The company's financial struggles may be due to various factors, such as unfavorable lease terms, changing neighborhoods, new competition, or staffing issues.

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Birthday parties

Chuck E. Cheese offers birthday parties for kids, with packages to suit every budget. The $99.99 package includes the birthday child (or "star") plus five friends, with 2 hours of gameplay and unlimited soft drinks. There is also a Mega Fun package, which includes two slices of freshly-made pizza per child, an additional large pizza, upgraded prizes, a collectible cup with unlimited refills, a Play Pass card with a coil wristband for each child, and a dedicated party host. The birthday star also receives a super-upgraded prize, a double-ticket blaster experience, and a collectible Chuck E. Cheese tote bag. Parent seating is available for $3.79 per person.

The Ultimate package includes everything in the Mega Fun package, plus two additional large pizzas, even better upgraded prizes, a Play Pass card with a coil wristband for each child, Dippin' Dots ice cream for each child, and a collectible Chuck E. Cheese tote bag. The birthday star receives an amazing upgraded prize, a double-ticket blaster experience, and parent seating is available for $3.79 per person.

The birthday show is available in English, Spanish, and ASL, and is written to make the birthday star feel special. There is also the exclusive Ticket Blaster Experience, where the birthday star (and their adult companion) has 30 seconds to grab as many flying tickets as possible for bigger prizes.

Chuck E. Cheese also offers a free Birthday Club, where members receive free gifts, including gameplay, upgrades, and discounts for the whole family.

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Trampoline Zones

The indoor trampolines provide a safe environment for children to be physically active, encouraging healthy interaction with others and allowing them to explore their physical capabilities. This addition to Chuck E. Cheese's offerings is a great way to tire out energetic kids and ensure they get their daily dose of exercise.

Bakersfield
Bell
Brentwood
Cerritos
Citrus Heights
Concord
Corona
Covina
Cupertino
Dublin
Elk Grove
Fairfield
Fresno
Fresno (North)
Garden Grove
Gilroy
Hayward
Lakewood
Lancaster
Los Angeles
Lynwood
Modesto
Newark
Pasadena
Pico Rivera
Pinole
Rancho Cucamonga
Redwood City
Rohnert Park
Roseville
Sacramento
Salinas
San Bernardino
San Bruno
Santa Maria
Stevenson Ranch
Stockton
Sun Valley
Ventura
Victorville
Visalia
Walnut Park
Hialeah
Kendall
Melbourne
Miami
North Miami
Orlando, Colonial Dr
Orlando, International Dr
Orlando, N Alafaya Trail
Pembroke Pines
Pompano Beach
West Palm Beach
Ellisville
St. Charles
St. Louis
Bronx, Gun Hill Rd
Bronx, Exterior St
Brooklyn
Flushing
Long Island City
Brownsville
Conroe
Corpus Christi
Copperfield
Fort Worth, South Freeway
Fort Worth, North Freeway
Grand Prairie
Houston, FM 1960
Houston, N. Freeway
Houston, Silverlake Village
Houston, Tomball Pkwy
Hulen
Humble
Irving
Katy
Laredo
McAllen
North McAllen
Pasadena
Pearland
Plano
Sugarland
Webster
Westheimer
Alexandria
Fairfax
Herndon
Dale City
Sterling
Manassas

More locations are expected to introduce Trampoline Zones soon, so be sure to check with your local store for availability.

Chuck E. Cheese also offers a Trampoline Birthday Party add-on, allowing kids to combine arcade games with trampoline jumping for an unforgettable celebration. The All You Can Jump Pass provides unlimited access to the trampolines, allowing kids to bounce as many times as they want throughout their visit, maximising the fun!

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Food and drinks

Chuck E. Cheese offers a wide range of food and drinks to cater to different tastes and preferences. The menu includes various pizza options, such as the Homestyle BBQ Chicken Pizza, Spicy Hawaiian Pizza, Signature Meatball Pizza, and Spicy BBQ Piggy Pizza. Each pizza can be customized with different toppings, crusts, and sizes to suit individual needs. For those who want to indulge in the ultimate meat experience, the Absolute Meat Satisfaction pizza is a classic loaded with pepperoni, sausage, bacon, ham, and beef. Vegetarians and vegetable lovers can also enjoy a medley of veggies on a classic cheese pizza.

For those who want to enhance their pizza experience, Chuck E. Cheese offers an upgrade to include stuffed crust with melted, freshly-baked mozzarella cheese. Aside from pizzas, they offer bone-in traditional buffalo wings or oven-baked all-white-meat nuggets with a variety of sauces, including hot buffalo, smoky BBQ, sweet chili, and lemon pepper. Their irresistible cheesy bread, packed with garlic spread, mozzarella, and cheddar cheese, is perfect for dipping in pizza sauce or ranch dressing.

For a quick bite, their app sampler offers a combination of cheesy bread, French fries, and wings, serving 2-4 people. To satisfy your sweet tooth, they offer cakes featuring Edible Images of your favorite characters, including Chuck E., Barbie, Paw Patrol, and Batman. You can also indulge in a giant chocolate chip cookie or magical churros dusted with cotton candy, sour apple, or blue raspberry sugar.

Chuck E. Cheese also has an unlimited salad bar with over 20 items, including toppings, cheese, and fresh sides. To quench your thirst, they offer a wide variety of refreshing PEPSI-COLA® products, as well as premium beers and wines at select locations.