
Chuck E. Cheese, or Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre, is an American entertainment restaurant chain founded in 1977. The first location opened in San Jose, California, and was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment. The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, who was an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992, when he became a mouse. The first two locations in Puerto Rico opened in 1983.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1977 |
| Founder | Nolan Bushnell |
| First location | San Jose, California |
| Former names | Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre, Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese's |
| Number of locations | Over 600 worldwide |
| Locations in Puerto Rico | 2 |
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What You'll Learn

Chuck E. Cheese was founded in 1977
The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, who was originally an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992, before becoming a mouse in 1993. In 2012, he was rebranded with a slimmer, rockstar-themed image.
Chuck E. Cheese is now 45 years old, with over 600 locations worldwide. Two locations in Puerto Rico were franchised by Santa Rosa Enterprises and opened in 1983.
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The founder, Nolan Bushnell, sold Atari in the same year
Chuck E. Cheese was founded in 1977 by Nolan Bushnell, the same year he sold Atari for $28 million. Bushnell was the founder of Atari, the company behind the game Pong. In 1976, Steve Jobs offered Bushnell a 1/3rd interest in the newly founded Apple Computer, for $50,000. Bushnell said no.
The first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre opened in San Jose, California, on 17 May 1977. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, pioneering the "family entertainment centre" concept. The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, who was an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992, before becoming a mouse in 1993. In 2012, he was rebranded with a slimmer, Rockstar-themed look.
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The first location opened in San Jose, California
Chuck E. Cheese was founded in May 1977 by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari. The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California, on 17 May 1977. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, pioneering the 'family entertainment centre' concept.
The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, who was originally an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992, before becoming a mouse in 1993. In 2012, he was rebranded with a slimmer, rockstar-themed look.
The first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre was one of over 600 locations worldwide, including in Thousand Oaks and Ventura. In 1983, two locations in Puerto Rico were franchised by Santa Rosa Enterprises: one in San Juan, Condado, and one in the Santa Rosa Mall in Bayamón.
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Chuck E. Cheese was an anthropomorphic rat from 1977-1992
Chuck E. Cheese was an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992. The character was created as the mascot for a restaurant proposed by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari, in 1977. Bushnell attended the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) conference in Orlando and saw walk-around character costumes for sale. The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California, on 17 May 1977. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, pioneering the "family entertainment centre" concept. Chuck E. Cheese was the chain's name and mascot, and the character was an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 until 1992, when he changed to a mouse in 1993. In 2012, he was rebranded with a slimmer, Rockstar-themed look in response to a decrease in sales during 2011.
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Two locations in Puerto Rico opened in 1983
Chuck E. Cheese was founded in 1977 by Nolan Bushnell, the founder of Atari. The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California, on 17 May 1977. It was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, pioneering the "family entertainment centre" concept.
The chain's name is taken from its main character and mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, who was originally an anthropomorphic rat from 1977 to 1992, before becoming a mouse in 1993.
In 1983, two locations in Puerto Rico opened. One was in San Juan, Condado, which opened in September, and the other was in the Santa Rosa Mall in Bayamón, which opened in November or December of that year. These locations were franchised by Santa Rosa Enterprises.
Today, Chuck E. Cheese has over 600 locations worldwide, including in Thousand Oaks and Ventura.
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Frequently asked questions
Chuck E. Cheese was founded in 1977.
Chuck E. Cheese was founded by Nolan Bushnell.
The first location opened as Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre in San Jose, California on 17 May 1977.
The first Chuck E. Cheese mascot was an anthropomorphic rat.
The mascot changed to a mouse in 1993.

























