Salem's Chuck E. Cheese: Who Owns The Fun?

Chuck E. Cheese, the American entertainment restaurant chain, was founded in 1977 by Nolan Bushnell, 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. The first location of Chuck E. Cheese opened in San Jose, California, and it was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment. The company currently owns and operates approximately 465 Chuck E. Cheese locations in the United States and Canada, with 96 franchised locations in the US, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries worldwide. The Salem, Oregon location of Chuck E. Cheese is a popular destination for families, offering arcade games, a Trampoline Zone, and a variety of food options, including pizza, wings, and fresh salad.

Chuck E. Cheese's history

Chuck E. Cheese, the place "Where A Kid Can Be A Kid", has been hosting kids' birthday parties and providing family-friendly entertainment through arcade games, pizza, and more for over 45 years.

The Early Years

In the 1970s, Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder of Atari, wanted to create a family-friendly restaurant with amusement park midway games. Together with his co-founder Ted Dabney, Bushnell explored the idea of combining pizza with entertainment, drawing inspiration from his fond memories of the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Country Bear Jamboree at Disneyland. Initially, Bushnell and Dabney considered various concepts, including antique stores and Wurlitzer organs, but ultimately returned to their original idea of using audio-animatronic characters in a pizza restaurant.

The first Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre opened its doors on May 17, 1977, in San Jose, California. This 5,000-square-foot location was a pioneer in the "family entertainment centre" concept, offering a unique combination of pizza, animatronic entertainment, and arcade games under one roof. The restaurant featured life-size animatronic characters that performed throughout the day, captivating guests of all ages.

Expansion and Challenges

Over time, Chuck E. Cheese expanded beyond California and the West Coast, franchising and opening new locations across the United States. However, in the early 1980s, the company faced financial challenges. The popularity of arcades began to wane, and the video game market crashed in 1983, impacting Chuck E. Cheese's revenues. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1984 and was acquired by Brock Hotel Corporation, the parent company of competitor ShowBiz Pizza Place, in 1985. This merger formed a new parent company, ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc., which began unifying the brands and renaming locations.

Rebranding and Recent Years

The company continued to evolve, and in 1994, the name was shortened to Chuck E. Cheese's, dropping 'Pizza' from the title. In 1998, the parent company became CEC Entertainment, Inc., reflecting the remaining chain brand. In the 2000s, CEC Entertainment faced competition from emerging entertainment concepts and made efforts to stay relevant by introducing new features and remodelling existing locations.

In 2012, CEC Entertainment rebranded Chuck E. Cheese, transforming him into a slimmer rockstar mouse who plays electric guitar. This redesign was accompanied by a new voice actor, signalling a shift in the character's personality.

In recent years, Chuck E. Cheese has continued to adapt to modern trends and expand its offerings. In 2014, CEC Entertainment was acquired by Apollo Global Management, and in 2017, the company piloted a new design concept at several locations, branded as Chuck E. Cheese Pizzeria & Games. These locations featured more upscale decor, open kitchens, and the replacement of arcade tokens with the Play Pass card system.

Today, Chuck E. Cheese continues to be a beloved destination for families, offering a unique blend of entertainment, games, and pizza. The company has expanded internationally and remains committed to creating fun and memorable experiences for children and families worldwide.

Games and entertainment

Chuck E. Cheese in Salem, Oregon, is the ultimate destination for family entertainment. The kids' arcade offers a wide range of games and entertainment options to keep children and their parents engaged and entertained.

For younger kids, there is an array of games to choose from, including alley bowling, console games, and even dance sessions. The more they play, the more game tickets they can collect and redeem for arcade prizes. The Ninja Run is the newest addition to the Adventure Zone active-play attractions, where kids can test their skills and stamina by navigating a fun and thrilling obstacle course with their friends. For those who love jumping, there's also the Trampoline Zone, where kids can jump to their heart's content.

In addition to the games, Chuck E. Cheese in Salem also offers live shows and entertainment. From exciting live performances to fun-filled dance sessions, there's something for everyone to enjoy. And what's a kids' arcade without pizza? The restaurant at Chuck E. Cheese makes fresh pizza dough daily, so you can fuel up between games.

The arcade is also a great venue for birthday parties, offering a range of options such as arcade games, pizza, drinks, birthday cake, and a reserved birthday table with party setup. With so much to offer, Chuck E. Cheese in Salem is the perfect place for family fun and entertainment.

Chuck E. Cheese is owned by CEC Entertainment, LP, and the Salem location is part of their network of fun centers across the country. With their recent $300 million investment in remodeling their fun centers, they continue to refresh their prizes and merchandise, ensuring that every visit is exciting and memorable for the whole family.

Food and drink

Chuck E. Cheese in Salem, Oregon, is the perfect place to take the family for a fun night out. The restaurant offers a wide variety of food and drink options to keep everyone happy.

Pizza is the name of the game at Chuck E. Cheese, with the restaurant offering pizza deals and various options to upgrade your pizza from medium to large or large to extra-large. The restaurant makes its pizza dough daily, so you can be sure it's fresh. If you're looking to save some money, take advantage of their "Buy 1 Large Pizza, Get One Large 50% Off" deal on Tuesdays.

In addition to pizza, Chuck E. Cheese also offers a selection of refreshing drinks to quench your thirst. They have a wide variety of Pepsi-Cola products, as well as premium beers and wines available at select locations. So whether you're looking for a soft drink or something stronger, they've got you covered.

For those with dietary restrictions or allergies, Chuck E. Cheese values transparency in its menu items. You can find downloadable PDFs on their website that provide information on ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. This makes it easy to make informed choices about your food and drink options.

Chuck E. Cheese also has a Funpass family membership program that offers huge discounts on food and exclusive bonus benefits for the entire family. For just $7.99 a month, you can enjoy unlimited visits to the restaurant and gameplay, making it a great deal for families who want to have regular fun nights out.

Birthday parties

Chuck E. Cheese in Salem, Oregon, is the perfect place to host your child's birthday party. With their all-inclusive birthday package, you can sit back and relax while they take care of everything, from the food and drinks to the entertainment.

The birthday child and five friends can enjoy two hours of unlimited gameplay, soft drinks, and the unique Chuck E. Cheese birthday experience for just $99.99. This includes access to a wide range of arcade games, console games, bowling, and dance sessions, as well as their famous pizza, made with fresh dough daily. The birthday child will also receive game tickets, which can be redeemed for arcade prizes, and a dedicated, reserved birthday table with a party set-up.

If you're looking for something more exclusive, you can make a reservation for a private birthday party. Their interactive shows and live performances will surely entertain the whole family. Their menu includes pizza, wings, fresh salad, Dippin' Dots®, giant cookies, and cupcakes for dessert. They also have trampolines and a Ninja Run Obstacle Course for those seeking more active fun.

Chuck E. Cheese Salem is located at 3240 Lancaster Dr. NE and is open from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturdays and 11 am to 9 pm Sunday through Friday. So whether you're planning a weekend or weekday celebration, they've got you covered!

Location and contact details

The Chuck E. Cheese location in Salem, Oregon, is situated at 3240 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305. The venue is open every day of the week. Their hours of operation are as follows:

• Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Monday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Friday: 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

You can reach the Salem location of Chuck E. Cheese by phone at (503) 364-7297.

Chuck E. Cheese is a family entertainment center that combines arcade games, amusement rides, and musical shows with a restaurant serving pizza and other food items. The Salem location offers a Ninja Run Obstacle Course and a Trampoline Zone. It is a great place for kids' birthday parties, with options for arcade games, pizza, drinks, birthday cake, and a reserved table.

Frequently asked questions