Chuck E. Cheese Opens 10 Chuck’s Arcades for Adults

Chuck E. Cheese has decided to grow up with some of its oldest fans. The family-centered chain is going to compete with the Dave & Buster’s of the world with 10 Chuck’s Arcade locations. (Which we first heard about at People.) These entertainment centers will still carry the same DNA as the kid-focused locations. Chuck’s Arcade “combines classic games and the hottest new games alongside iconic animatronic characters,” in what Chuck E. Cheese describes as “a new destination where nostalgia meets the future.”

The inaugural first ten locations are opening in St. Petersburg, Florida, Trumbull, Connecticut, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma, Victor, New York, Buford, Georgia, El Paso, Texas, Nashua and Salem, New Hampshire, and St. Louis, Missouri. The company says more will follow.

“Chuck E. Cheese has spent decades mastering the arcade experience — it’s in our DNA,” said David McKillips, CEO of Chuck E. Cheese, in a press release. “Thanks to the expertise of our talented technicians and the successful transformation of almost 500 fun centers worldwide, we’ve built the operational and creative foundation to take our brand beyond our traditional four walls. Chuck’s Arcade is a natural evolution — an opportunity to extend our arcade legacy into new formats that engage both lifelong fans and a new generation through a curated mix of retro classics and cutting-edge experiences.”

Each Chuck’s Arcade will be “overseen by an animatronic character such as Chuck E. Cheese or one of the other characters from Munch’s Make Believe Band. Select locations will “also feature exclusive retro-themed merchandise.” That will include classic logo apparel, collectible toys, and novelty candy and prize redemption items. In addition to brand new games, locations will also carry classic retro games. And Chuck E. Cheese says no two locations are alike.

Getting to play air hockey and eat Chuck E. Cheese pizza without any kids around? That wasn’t something we thought we needed. But now that such an evening out is possible, we realize just how much we did.