If you picture yourself visiting Chuck E. Cheese as a kid, what part of your experience stands out the most? While the signature pizza and arcade games are undoubtedly major parts of the chain's allure, it was the bizarre yet beloved animatronic bands that made Chuck E. Cheese unique given that no other pizza restaurants boasted anything similar.
But in the very near future, that iconic attraction will be no more at most of Chuck E. Cheese's locations. Chuck E. Cheese plans to phase out its animatronic bands at all but two locations by the end of 2024, the. According to CEO David McKillips, the change is part of a major transformation to replace animatronics with more screens, digital dance floors, and trampoline gyms."Kids are consuming entertainment differently than they were 10, 20 years ago," McKillips said during an interview with the publication."Kids, really of all ages, are consuming their entertainment on a screen.
The loss of Munch's Make Believe Band is only the latest major development at Chuck E. Cheese in recent months. In December 2023, the chain launched itsrather than children. The new selection includes several specialty pizzas, saucy meatballs, and a handful of new wing sauces and rubs. "As pioneers in the industry, Chuck E. Cheese continues to evolve, ensuring that every visit is not just a trip down memory lane but an exploration of new tastes and experiences for our youngest guests and the millions of parents and adults who visit us each year," McKillips said in a statement at the time.