Business Chuck E. Cheese is opening arcades for adults

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By Jordan Valinsky, CNN
Wed July 2, 2025

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Chuck E. Cheese is opening "Chuck's Arcade," a spin-off aimed at adults.

Chuck E. Cheese isn’t just for the kids anymore.

The arcade chain is opening a spin-off aimed at adults, called “Chuck’s Arcade,” which the company describes as a “modern-day love letter to the games and people who made Chuck E. Cheese great.”

Similar to the kiddie version, Chuck’s Arcade has a mix of nostalgic arcade games, like Donkey Kong and Mortal Kombat; and newer titles such as Halo and Connect Four Hoops. Plus, each arcade is “overseen” by one of the chain’s iconic animatronic characters, including Chuck E. Cheese himself or other characters from his Munch’s Make Believe Band.

Ten are open so far at malls across the United States, with arcades in St. Petersburg, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; El Paso, Texas; and St. Louis. Each location looks different, decorated with original artwork that celebrates the brand’s past, according to a release.

Of course, there will also be prizes for adults to win and arcades will have “old-school merch” available for purchase. Some arcades will serve food, with the Kansas City location having a pizzeria that also serves a small selection of beer and wine, a spokesperson told CNN.

David McKillips, CEO of Chuck. E. Cheese, said that the spin-off is a “natural evolution” for the company following the remodel of its 500 locations and sees it as 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.”

The company’s expansion comes five years after it filed for bankruptcy during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Chuck E. Cheese spent $350 million in remodels over the past few years as well as introducing new pricing tiers to attract budget-focused families.

The launch of Chuck’s Arcade comes amid troubles for its chief rival Dave & Buster’s. The latter is publicly traded and recently reported a 9.4% decline in same-store sales, with its new management trashing “ill-advised changes” implemented by its previous leadership that included too many adjustments at once.
 
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dude, dude, DUDE, we have GOTTA go down to the barcade- listen here, right, it’s a BAR where us ADULTS who do ADULTING can go DRINK. BUT!!!! it’s also an ARCADE like when we were kids, so we can play awesome VIDEO GAMES, without dumb kids bothering us.
 
It’s like 10 years too late to get into the barcade concept, especially after Covid put a knife in its heart. From what I’ve seen, the normal Chuck E Cheese has had a massive downward turn, essentially becoming open warehouse designs with mobile games adapted for arcade setups.
 
Ibanez RG 350EX said:
dude, dude, DUDE, we have GOTTA go down to the barcade- listen here, right, it’s a BAR where us ADULTS who do ADULTING can go DRINK. BUT!!!! it’s also an ARCADE like when we were kids, so we can play awesome VIDEO GAMES, without dumb kids bothering us.
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It's nice to go to one of those and play 80s games you suck at for free.

Barry Williams said:
As long as I can bang the cheerleader mascot I'm game, I guess.
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Profilehelen.webp

Is this who you're talking about, sir?
 
If it's anything like the normal Chuck E. Cheese the only news you'll hear is about the niggers trying to kill each other at multiple booked birthday parties.
 
>Some arcades will serve food, with the Kansas City location having a pizzeria that also serves a small selection of beer and wine, a spokesperson told CNN.

They’re competing with Round One and Dave and Busters and the million small city barcades that have opened up, they all need to have food but more importantly, full bar service. They managed to figure out how to tap into the ghost kitchen market with pasquali’s but didn’t figure this one out? This won’t last long at all.
 
I don't know a single person who's ever (willingly) been in a Fucky Cheese's in their life. How is this place still a thing? There must be more bullet holes than walls at each location by now.
 
Not interested unless they scale up the tubes and stuff you could crawl around in to be adult sized. XL ball pit or bust.
 
Barcade joints are ok for a once-every-year or two nostalgia trip but I don't see how it could be a business model. A few years back I could see it working in a college district but those who want to play Goldeneye nostagically are at least 30-35 now.
 
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