Current:Home > StocksChuck E. Cheese has a 'super-sized' game show in the works amid financial woes -AssetLink
Chuck E. Cheese has a 'super-sized' game show in the works amid financial woes
View
Date:2025-04-13 09:06:24
A game show series is in the works for "big kid" adults still fond of Chuck E. Cheese, the iconic pizza place that doubles as an arcade and entertainment center.
The series, being produced by Magical Elves ("Top Chef," "Brain Games" and "Nailed It!") will focus on the brand's arcade experience, the company announced Tuesday.
Paired-off contestants will compete over "supersized arcade games," including pinball, air hockey, alley roller and the human claw, according to the company. The duo with the most tickets will exchange them for a much cooler version of the Chuck E. Cheese prize wall.
"We are thrilled to be working with Magical Elves, whose deep expertise in unscripted content make them the perfect partner to capture the wholesome competitive spirit tied to childhood memories and transform the Chuck E. Cheese experience for television," Melissa McLeanas, VP of global licensing, media, and branded entertainment development for Chuck E. Cheese, said in a statement.
"Chuck E. Cheese is THE place where a kid can be a kid – but as grown adults, we still have dreams of ruling the arcade, taking on the iconic games we love," Magical Elves co-CEOs Jo Sharon and Casey Kriley added. "We're excited to celebrate these legendary arcade games plus the best of today, all with a super-sized twist."
The Irving, Texas-based company did not share timing details.
The show is over:Munch's Make Believe band closes at all Chuck E. Cheese locations but one
Gameshow series comes amid company struggles
This is the company's latest attempt to expand its brand presence outside its four walls.
Wildly popular in the 1990s, Chuck E. Cheese has steadily been on the decline since 2012, according to a timeline reported by Business Insider, but it really took a hit with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since Chuck E. Cheese is known more for its entertainment than its food, sales tanked 21% in the first quarter alone, with families being isolated at home. The company tried to pivot by rebranding around a delivery service that would also bring the company's mascot around for in-person meet-ups, but it didn't prove to be successful.
Lying under a mountain of debt, Chuck E. Cheese is exploring a buyout, according to reporting by Reuters. The company is working with Goldman Sachs to restructure to "attract potential buyers, including private equity firms and other entertainment companies, like Dave & Busters."
veryGood! (9)
Related
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- Pete Davidson charged with reckless driving for March crash in Beverly Hills
- Shoppers Love These Exercise Dresses for Working Out and Hanging Out: Lululemon, Amazon, Halara, and More
- Lisa Vanderpump Defends Her Support for Tom Sandoval During Vanderpump Rules Finale
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Jimmy Buffett Hospitalized for Issues That Needed Immediate Attention
- A veterinarian says pets have a lot to teach us about love and grief
- 21 Essentials For When You're On A Boat: Deck Shoes, Bikinis, Mineral Sunscreen & More
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- This safety-net hospital doctor treats mostly uninsured and undocumented patients
Ranking
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- The potentially deadly Candida auris fungus is spreading quickly in the U.S.
- Coasts Should Plan for 6.5 Feet Sea Level Rise by 2100 as Precaution, Experts Say
- Strawberry products sold at Costco, Trader Joe's, recalled after hepatitis A outbreak
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Celebrity Hairstylist Kim Kimble Shares Her Secret to Perfecting Sanaa Lathan’s Sleek Ponytail
- This safety-net hospital doctor treats mostly uninsured and undocumented patients
- Selling Sunset Reveals What Harry Styles Left Behind in His Hollywood House
Recommendation
John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
Tweeting directly from your brain (and what's next)
Scientists sequence Beethoven's genome for clues into his painful past
North Dakota Supreme Court ruling keeps the state's abortion ban on hold for now
Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
Vanderpump Rules' James Kennedy Addresses Near-Physical Reunion Fight With Tom Sandoval
This Week in Clean Economy: Chu Warns Solyndra Critics of China’s Solar Rise
N.Y. Gas Project Abandoned in Victory for Seneca Lake Protesters