Last Chuck E. Cheese 'Make Believe Band' Standing Is In SoCal

NORTHRIDGE, CA — The Northridge Chuck E. Cheese restaurant is the only place to see "Munch's Make Believe Band," the family pizza chain announced. This southern California location is the last animatronic band standing across all family restaurant chain stores, they reported in a recent news release.

Chuck E. Cheese, a holdover from the 1980s, is known for its family fun center arcade and pizza. It is also known for its larger-than-life performing characters. The giant mouse, Chuck E., revealed they'll headline an exclusive, permanent residency at the Northridge Chuck E. Cheese on Reseda Boulevard.

Northridge will become the nation's only Chuck E. Cheese fun center to feature an original animatronic band and a modern upgrade and experience for guests, making it a destination for fans of all ages – past and present.

Since the pandemic, owners have renovated the chain's fun centers nationwide with updated features to offer multi-activity options for all ages. New enhancements include a new state-of-the-art interactive dance floor, a giant video wall and screens, the most popular kid-focused arcade games, and new trampoline zones in select fun centers around the nation.

During the press conference, Chuck E. assured the crowd that the Northridge "Make Believe Band" won't be going anywhere despite all the updates.

"We love performing so much, it's practically hard-wired into us," he said.

With 400 locations across the country, the Northridge location is the lone exception that the parent company is making for the fans nostalgic for the legendary Munch's Make Believe Band.

David McKillips, President and CEO of Chuck E. Cheese's parent company, CEC Entertainment, spoke on the decision at a recent news conference held at the Northridge location.

"As an important part of the legacy of the brand, we know that the animatronic band holds a special place for many fans in their childhood memories," he said. "We want our fans to know that the decision to keep the band here is meant as a gesture of love and gratitude as our legacy continues to evolve in new ways."

Northridge held its Grand Re-Opening Party earlier this month with special appearances from the founder of Chuck E. Cheese and Atari, Inc., Nolan Bushnell, alongside current President and CEO David McKillips.

"Chuck E. Cheese is and was an essential part of growing up," Bushnell said. "It has had an enormous impact on how families have fun, providing a place where kids and adults alike could be entertained - from animatronic shows tailored more for the adults to games and prizes for the kids. It's great that the original animatronic band will remain in residency at the Northridge location while the other locations offer experiences and create memories with the new vision."

All attendees enjoyed free cake, a performance by the band, and a free collector's poster. Fans who brought tokens to the event could exchange their old Chuck E. Cheese tokens and receive an exclusive commemorative pin.

With a four-decade evolution, Chuck E. Cheese has more plans to celebrate its nostalgia with longtime fans and entertainment offerings for young new enthusiasts, according to the release. The brand is already planning its 50th Anniversary in 2027.