The most terrifying all animal band in history is finally getting the recognition it deserves. The Registry of Historic Gaming locations is adding the site of the original Chuck E. Cheese’s to it’s list of historic sites. First built in San Jose, California in 1977, Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre was the first family restaurant to combine food, animatronics and an indoor arcade.
Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre was started by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell as a means to distribute Atari games to a larger, younger audience.
In 1979, Showbiz Pizza Place took the successful idea and became a direct competitor for Bushnell. Both found massive early on, but as the video game market changed Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre declared bankruptcy resulting in Showbiz Pizza Time buying the franchise. The two eventually consolidated forming what we know today as Chuck E. Cheese’s.
Though the first Chuck E. Cheese’s no longer stands, its cheesy residue will stay caked in our hearts forever.
Two Chicago Area Locations and First Chuck E. Cheese Added to Historic Registry [PRLog via PRlog.org]
Top photo by downing.amanda| Flickr
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