Pizza Time Theatre, Inc. was founded by Nolan Bushnell in late 1978 as the operating company of Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre after his departure from the Warner Communications-owned Atari, Inc. Before leaving, he acquired the rights to the chain from Warner for US$500,000.
Pizza Show Biz[]
1979–1980[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Frankfurter
Launched:
June 1979
In June 1979, Topeka Inn Management’s Robert Brock reached a deal with Nolan Bushnell to develop 285 Pizza Time Theatre locations spanning sixteen states. This franchise division, to be known as Pizza Show Biz, pulled out of the contract in November 1979. Subsequently, talks were held with Creative Engineering, Inc. head Aaron Fechter, whose attractions at that year’s IAAPA convention had impressed Brock’s colleagues. Under this agreement, TIM would own a majority 80% share of the new restaurants, with CEI owning the remaining 20%.
ShowBiz Pizza Place, Inc.[]
1980–1985[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Frankfurter
Launched:
February 1980
Pizza Show Biz would be renamed ShowBiz Pizza Place, Inc. in February 1980, and the first ShowBiz Pizza Place would open the next month.
ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc.[]
1985–1986[]
After Brock Hotel Corporation (formerly TIM)’s acquisition of the failing Pizza Time Theatre, Inc., it was merged with ShowBiz Pizza Place, Inc. to form ShowBiz Pizza Time, Inc..
1986–1989[]
In August 1988, newly renamed parent company Integra announced plans to sell their 90% ownership of ShowBiz Pizza Time, spinning it off. This would conclude on December 30, 1988, with the company first trading publicly four days later.
1989–1998[]
1989–1991[]
LOGO MISSING
1991–1995[]
The logo was updated in the style of the second logo of ShowBiz Pizza in 1989 with Chuck E. Cheese's portrait added.
1995–1998[]
CEC Entertainment[]
1998–2015[]
Variant without ", Inc." text
Showbiz Pizza Time became known as CEC Entertainment in June 1998 and moved its stock from the NASDAQ to the NYSE. In 2014, it was purchased by Apollo Global Management.
2015–present[]
SVG NEEDED
On June 25, 2020, CEC Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (for the second time in more than 35 years) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing Chuck E. Cheese closures. After recovering from bankruptcy, it was renamed to CEC Entertainment LLC.
