Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza: A Size Too Small?

Chuck E. Cheese's pizza has been the subject of a viral conspiracy theory, sparked by a 2019 YouTube video by Shane Dawson, which alleged that the chain reuses unsold pizza slices to create new pizzas. The video, which has been viewed over 14.5 million times, claimed that the pizzas looked uneven and appeared to be made from slices that didn't fit together. Despite Chuck E. Cheese's repeated denials of the theory and insistence that their pizzas are freshly prepared, the rumor gained traction and caused significant backlash and damage to the company's reputation. The unique appearance of their pizzas, attributed to handmade preparation and different pizza sizes, has been a contributing factor in the spread of this misinformation.

Chuck E. Cheese's pizza conspiracy

Chuck E. Cheese's, a well-known entertainment center for children, has been the subject of a controversial rumor in recent years. The allegation suggests that the restaurant reuses unsold pizza slices to create new pizzas, a claim that has caused a significant backlash and impacted the company's reputation and business. This conspiracy theory, which initially gained traction on social media, was fueled by videos and speculations that showed pizzas made of slices that didn't seem to fit together perfectly.

The unique, inconsistent shape and appearance of the pizzas at Chuck E. Cheese's can be attributed to the handmade preparation and the different sizes of pizzas available. The pizza slices are often cut into smaller pieces to accommodate children and facilitate easy sharing, which may explain why they don't always fit together perfectly. However, some customers have questioned why the crust sizes seem to vary, adding fuel to the conspiracy theories.

Chuck E. Cheese's has repeatedly denied the rumors of reusing pizza slices, stating that their pizzas are made to order with fresh dough prepared in the restaurant. They have taken proactive steps to counter these allegations and promote transparency in their food preparation processes. Employees have also come forward to defend the company, sharing behind-the-scenes videos and explanations for the misshapen pizzas, emphasizing that they do not recycle pizza slices and that any unsold pizzas are discarded at the end of the day following strict food safety guidelines.

Despite the company's denials and efforts, the rumor has persisted, and some customers remain skeptical. The spread of misinformation and the potential for viral attention on social media have contributed to the longevity of this conspiracy theory. This case illustrates the power of social media in shaping public perception and the challenges businesses face in combating unfounded rumors that can have serious consequences for their reputation.

In conclusion, the rumor that Chuck E. Cheese's reuses pizza slices is a baseless conspiracy theory. The company has been transparent about its food preparation processes and has denied the allegations unequivocally. While the unique appearance of their pizzas may have contributed to the speculation, it is essential to rely on credible sources and information to prevent the spread of misinformation that can harm businesses.

Viral YouTube video

In February 2019, a 94-minute "investigative" video by popular YouTuber Shane Dawson sparked a viral conspiracy theory about Chuck E. Cheese's pizza. With over 20.5 million subscribers, Dawson's video quickly gained traction and fuelled speculation about the chain's pizza-making practices. The video centred around the allegation that Chuck E. Cheese's served customers recycled pizzas made from leftover slices, resulting in pizzas with slices that didn't seem to fit together.

Video Claims

In the video, Dawson presented what he believed was evidence of the chain's practice of reusing pizza slices. He pointed out that many customers had noticed their pizzas looked uneven or seemed to be assembled from different pizzas. Dawson suggested that this could be because Chuck E. Cheese's was taking uneaten slices from finished pizzas and using them to create new ones.

Additionally, the video made other claims about Chuck E. Cheese's practices, including allegations of underage drinking, childhood gambling, and unsanitary conditions. These claims added fuel to the fire and contributed to the video's popularity.

Chuck E. Cheese's Response

In response to the viral video, Chuck E. Cheese's took to Twitter to deny the allegations. The company stated that the claims made about their pizza were "unequivocally false" and emphasised that their pizzas are made to order with fresh dough prepared in-restaurant. Chuck E. Cheese's employees also defended the company, sharing behind-the-scenes videos and explanations for the misshapen pizzas. They attributed the uneven slices to the way the pizzas are cut and the different sizes of the pizzas available.

Impact of the Video

Despite the company's denial, the video had a significant impact. It sparked a wave of investigations by self-proclaimed "truthers" who sought to verify the claims for themselves. The conspiracy theory also had negative consequences for Chuck E. Cheese's reputation and business, with many people calling on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate.

While the viral YouTube video presented speculative evidence and fuelled a widespread conspiracy theory, there was no credible evidence to support the claim that Chuck E. Cheese's reused their pizza slices. The unique appearance of their pizzas and the handmade nature of their preparation contributed to the misconceptions. Ultimately, the video highlighted the power of social media to spread misinformation and shape public perception, even in the face of refutations from the company and its employees.

Recycled pizza claims

The "recycled pizza" claim is one of the most well-known and persistent allegations surrounding Chuck E. Cheese's pizza. This claim asserts that the restaurant chain has a practice of reusing or "recycling" leftover pizza slices instead of discarding them. The allegation suggests that Chuck E. Cheese's takes unused pizza slices from one pizza and uses them to create new pizzas, serving them to unsuspecting customers.

This claim has circulated widely, and numerous individuals have shared their suspicions and purported first-hand accounts of encountering recycled pizza at Chuck E. Cheese's locations. Some customers have reported receiving pizzas with odd-fitting slices, leading to the belief that these slices were leftovers from other pizzas and simply pieced together to form a new pizza. The idea of recycled pizza gained traction, with many believing that the restaurant was engaging in cost-cutting measures by reducing food waste.

However, Chuck E. Cheese's has vehemently denied these allegations. In response to the claims, the company has issued statements assuring customers that the pizzas are made fresh daily and that there is no practice of reusing leftover pizza slices. They attribute the unusual shape of their pizza slices to the way the pizzas are cut and arranged on the trays. According to Chuck E. Cheese's, their pizzas are cut into a combination of small and large slices to ensure that each guest can choose a slice that fits their preference.

The company has also provided explanations for the perceived inconsistencies in pizza slice shapes. They state that their pizzas are cut into a variety of slice sizes to accommodate different group sizes and party packages. The larger slices are intended for adults or larger groups, while the smaller slices are meant for children or parties with a higher guest count. By varying the slice sizes, they aim to provide a flexible option that caters to diverse customer needs. Additionally, Chuck E. Cheese's emphasizes that their pizza-making process adheres to strict food safety guidelines, and they prioritize the well-being of their guests.

Employee explanations

Several former and current employees of Chuck E. Cheese have weighed in on the topic of why the pizza slices at the restaurant do not fit together. One employee explains that the pizza cutter used by the restaurant is a blunt rocking-style cutter, which deforms the pizza when cutting it. The employee also notes that the number of slices per pizza is odd, making it even harder to cut even slices. Another employee mentions that the pizzas are handmade, and delivering a perfect pizza every time is not possible.

One former employee who worked at several locations over three years mentions that while they never recycled old pizza, sometimes the dough would be stretched unevenly, and the pizzas would be cut imperfectly. They also mention that the pizzas are cut by hand, and employees have to do it quickly, which can lead to uneven slices. The employee also notes that the number of slices per pizza is odd (a personal is 6, a medium is 10, a large is 12, and an XL is 16), which can make it difficult to cut even slices.

Another employee mentions that the pizzas are made fresh, and the dough is made fresh every morning. They also state that it would take longer to piece together slices from different pizzas than to make a new one. However, another employee mentions that warming up pizza slices is faster than cooking a new pizza, and that is why pizza shops often warm up slices instead of baking new ones.

A senior manager at Chuck E. Cheese also weighs in, stating that the pizzas are made fresh and that they do not recycle old pizza. They mention that sometimes pizzas collide in the conveyor belt oven, and they will put the halves together but never use old or touched pizzas. They also mention that the pizzas are extremely hot when they come out of the oven, and the cheese can slide around, making the slices look odd. The manager also notes that any pizza that comes off a customer's table goes straight into the garbage.

Overall, while there may be some variation in practices between different locations, it seems that the odd shape of the pizza slices at Chuck E. Cheese is likely due to a combination of factors, including the type of pizza cutter used, the odd number of slices per pizza, and the speed at which employees have to work when cutting the pizzas.

Customer investigations

One of the most popular theories circulating online is the idea of a "pizza-shrinking ray." While it may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, some customers believe that Chuck E. Cheese's employs a top-secret technology to shrink their pizzas after they have been served.

Frequently asked questions