Chuck E. Cheese is a franchise of giant video arcades complemented by small rides, pizza (a central focus), and other popular diversions for young children, including ball pits, climbing equipment and giant slides. Its logo and mascot, also named Chuck E. Cheese, is a giant anthropomorphic mouse. Often, individual locations will employ someone to portray this character wearing a full-body costume. This employee will sometimes greet guests and lavish attention on children who are celebrating their birthdays at the facility.

The business was founded in 1977 by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell as the Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre, and featured animatronic characters like Crusty the Cat, Jasper T. Jowls, and the Warblettes performing with Chuck E. in a "theater" where customers could eat their pizza.

In 1984, parent company Pizza Time Theatre, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was purchased by competitor ShowBiz Pizza Place, which also featured pizza, video games, and singing animatronic characters. Both the Chuck E. Cheese and ShowBiz names continued to be used until 1992, when Chuck E. Cheese Pizza became the name for all of the restaurants.

In 1999, CEC Entertainment, Inc., the owners of Chuck E. Cheese, bought out their own primary competitor, Discovery Zone.

External links

• Official website (http://www.chuckecheese.com)
• History of Chuck E. Cheese (http://rock_afire.tripod.com/info/history/)