Current:Home > FinanceChuck E. Cheese has a 'super-sized' game show in the works amid financial woes -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Chuck E. Cheese has a 'super-sized' game show in the works amid financial woes
View
Date:2025-04-12 19:10:42
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! (71686)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Opinion: Pac-12 revival deserves nickname worthy of cheap sunglasses
- The number of Americans filing for jobless aid falls to lowest level in 4 months
- How much will Southwest Airlines change to boost profits? Some details are emerging
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Moving homeless people from streets to shelter isn’t easy, San Francisco outreach workers say
- Top aide for North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson is resigning, adding to staff separations
- Erradicar el riesgo: el reto de Cicero para construir un parque inclusivo que sea seguro
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Malik Nabers is carrying Giants with his record rookie pace, and bigger spotlight awaits
Ranking
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Settle Divorce 6 Years After Breakup
- Georgia court rejects counting presidential votes for Cornel West and Claudia De la Cruz
- Shohei Ohtani 50/50 home run ball headed to auction. How much will it be sold for?
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Alan Eugene Miller to become 2nd inmate executed with nitrogen gas in US. What to know
- Smell that? A strange odor has made its way across southwest Washington state
- LinkedIn is using your data to train generative AI models. Here's how to opt out.
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Cardi B Debuts New Look in First Public Appearance Since Giving Birth to Baby No. 3
Unprecedented Numbers of Florida Manatees Have Died in Recent Years. New Habitat Protections Could Help Them
Tommy John surgery is MLB's necessary evil 50 years later: 'We created this mess'
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Oklahoma prepares for an execution after parole board recommended sparing man’s life
Family asks for public's help finding grad student, wife missing for two months in Mexico
Evacuation order lifted for Ohio town where dangerous chemical leak occurred