The Rat Band is Going Broke

I don't have a nostalgia for Chuck E Cheese. The only time I can remember going to one was January 20th, 2008. Helps a bit of remembering considering the New York Giants played in the NFC Championship Game that night. Anyway, my nephew turned seven that weekend and he had his party at the place. I remember the experience being okay. Tough times now, considering they filed for bankruptcy recently and they closed down over 30 locations.

Obviously, the pandemic hasn't helped. Maybe the Grubhub stuff isn't working. But what I also think is happening is the decline in the family experience. The vision Atari founder Nolan Bushnell had in 1977 when creating Pizza Time Theater (the original name) was a place that was safe and for families to enjoy the animatronics and arcade games. Combined with a simple food in pizza, it took off back then. In a pre-2005 world, kids had access to a cool experience. With the rise of social media and other activities the last 15 years combined with declines in arcades Chuck E Cheese is not exactly the place you think of.

I'm making assumptions because who knows why it has been in decline. Maybe birthday parties have become more elaborate that something like a McDonald's won't suffice. Of course, buying stuff that hurts you in the long run. That's what happened to Ames. Being in debt doesn't help at all. I don't think there is one exact reason, but multiple ones. Being a product of its era. Trying to cater to a modern generation. Ultimately, you hope it's a small time in bankruptcy and they will return. But considering the last decade, I'm not sure.

Might be tough to say, but the rat band may disappear quicker than many will realize.