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. 

Pasqually's: Falling for Franchise Chain

So this is something I heard about and it's too good of a story. This is hilarious, but at the same time, I can understand why they are upset. There have been people recently that have ordered food from a place called Pasqually's Pizza and Wings. Sounds kind of local in a way. What they didn't realize is that it is the alternative name to Chuck e Cheese. Some have considered it to be deceptive and ruining local businesses.

When you think Chuck e Cheese, you think of kids going there, arcade games, and a little bit of pizza here and there. That or watching the one Married... with Children episode where Al Bundy wants free food from the place. After all, the founder is Nolan Bushnell, who founded Atari and wanted to create a safe environment for parents and families. The 70s weren't exactly a great time and arcades were a good while from getting safer areas like malls and movie theaters. Maybe they told people ahead of time of the name change. But no one would want Chuck e Cheese pizza if they used the original name.

Going with the name Pasqually's makes them look a little better if they want people to get their food. There isn't the name recognition compared to a McDonald's or a Wendy's. I had Chuck e Cheese once or twice. Do remember eating the pizza once and it wasn't too bad back in 2008 when my nephew had his birthday party there. Is it that deceptive? Maybe, but I don't think it was meant to be malicious.

People just need to be aware of what they're getting and look up the names before ordering. I know some can be really stupid, but we can't that stupid to not look up Pasqually's and realize it's Chuck e Cheese just under a rebranding name. It's hilarious what's going on, but big chains do need to make money, too. It's not like you're forced into supporting local businesses 24/7. There is nothing with supporting both. But nothing beats having a meal at home that you make. A healthy balance of all three and you can be a satisfied customer.