Chuck E. Cheese CEO David McKillips has revealed that his dinnertainment company has just launched an entertainment division according to Business Insider.
Whilst initially only focusing on merchandising and toys, the plan is to move into scripted entertainment as part of the company’s strategic vision. McKillips tells the outlet: “Ideally we would love to have Chuck E. Cheese in animation and possibly one day a movie feature as well.”
For those unfamiliar, Chuck E. Cheese is a chain of American restaurants which serves pizza and other menu items, complemented by arcade games, amusement rides, and animatronic displays as a focus of family entertainment. It’s mascot is a grey mouse.
“For our demographic of three to eight year olds, he is one of the most popular characters in the world” says McKillips. The COVID-19 pandemic has put significant financial strain on the company, leading it to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June.