Me: How long have you worked at CEC?

Josh (CrazyJp): I worked at CEC for an exact year. April 2022 to April 2023.

Me: What did you do in that year?

Josh: Well, I was a few things. I started as, and mainly was, a game room attendant. So I would mostly fix the games, help people, and serve pizzas before they implemented the buzzers. I also had the duty of being Chuck every hour on the half. Through that I became the "Lead Performer" (an arbitrary title given to me by my boss, not a real position) and would train the new hires on doing chuck. Of course I worked shift at kid check, prize counter and as a party host.

Me: So you put the costume on, amongst everything else.

Josh: I wore the costume 5-10 times a shift.

Me: How was it inside there?

Josh: Hot and smelly, but it was a lot of fun for me. I did, and still do, a lot of theater. So i really enjoyed it. Mind you, its a big head, over your own shoe-shoes, and heavy clothes that slow ya down. But I really liked it.

Me: Good to hear on that front.

BTW, I know pretty much everyone knows of it, what's your take on THAT myth... (you know which one).

Josh: There's no "take," its just not true. Like, I get the hype and what-not but I actually really like the food. The pizzas at my store always looked great, but it can depend on the chef. I mean, sometimes a new hire would make a TERRIBLE looking pizza. But not recycled or anything. I threw away so much food in my time, I could've started an empire with it.

Me: Plus like I've said before... GIANT health hazard.

Josh: I mean if they actually did that they would've been shut down by now lets be honest.

Me: EXACTLY, especially given our government stepping into EVERYTHING these days!

If they do end up being caught doing so (recycling pizza), another bankruptcy... possibly for good!

Josh: Absolutely!

Me: Take notes on THAT, Shane Dawson and MatPat/Food Theorists!

Josh: Though, I thought MatPat found it false right?

Me: IDK, i just hear these names via the interviews...

Josh: Real!

Me: Another thing, WOULD keeping the robots/animatronics be best for business in 202X?

Josh: Even though I really like the animatronics, I don't think they would be best for business. I think 2.0 is best for the audience that comes to Chuck-E-Cheese regularly, because even though there's a big fan base of adults, those grown men and women do not go to Chuck E cheese everyday and are not their regular clientele.

Me: Yea, and the kids rarely pay attention anyway. (cough gameroom cough iPad)

Josh: I can assure you from my time there and what I've heard from my coworkers who still worked there much past my departure, The 2.0 renovation as well as the new trampoline area are doing good for business, at least at that store.

(In response to my last statement) Yeah seriously, walk around Chuck always gets the attention. Not the lone animatronic.

Me: Plus Ive asked this every time, but has FNAF affected things?

Josh: Absolutely, people came in in costume all the time, Or would ask me about it, even when I was in the suit.

Me: Got any stories you'd like to share?

Josh: Someone crapped in the sink one time, and of course the time I dislocated my knee mid performance. Both of those stories are my YT channel.

Me: I'll plug the videos if you don't mind at the end of the interview.

BTW, did you ever have a bot, or were you 2.0 from day 1?

Josh: Yeah we had a studio C Chuck.

LINKS TO STORIES FROM JOSH'S TIME

https://youtu.be/QzEboeh-Axc?si=UilDMW7lzEdJQhtU

https://youtu.be/k5Iqp0nudPQ?si=uzR6Vcb8_UTSZ8xS

https://youtu.be/V9uvKt2-PxU?si=WnR_Y83QvsvFbIch

That I got to meet Billy Bob at his Wonderland back in 2015. Happy Halloween, fellow goofballs.

My opinion yes because having a rockstar Chuck logo for a retro store is not that retro on the outside. Again just my opinion

I work for the company myself And I can say that 2.0 definitely helped the company and I’ll explain how here. Im tired of constantly seeing ppl complain abt it and give crazy ideas that would leave the company worse off. First off stages like Visalia CA (https://youtu.be/EVYu60EnPSM?si=hm83ZkmS0vy1cbyU) and Tallahassee FL (https://youtu.be/ZnkYsAL4m5s?si=Li42xmGBC70tQHaG) where honestly Emberrasing for the company and even tho they’re history for ppl in the fandom, for the company (which I must emphasize is at core currently focused on children 3-8 and appealing to parents) it’s a horrible look and having noisy, stained,loud,barley moving robots isn’t a good look for the company and could definitely decrease sales. The remodels in general have saved the company and even tho many people (including myself) don’t exactly like it ppl who work for the company like me rely on the money from it so hoping it closes and constantly complaining abt something that’s helping them is annoying. Heck at the one in Annapolis they’re rotting and one of them is literally growing mold! Which is a health hazard truth is many employees just don’t care to help and maintain these bots so they get into horrible condition and remodeling with a fresh and new modern look can help the company attract more of an audience of there demographic. 2.0 isn’t killing the business and in fact it’s helping them grow by not having to worry abt maintaining animatronics they just don’t have the funds for. So point of this post is please stop always making posts saying bring back avenger/PTT when it will most likely never happen the company is doing doing fine rn and brining back smthn that was updated for a reason to appeal to new audiences is not going to help the company and stop always complaining abt 2.0 again me and many other ppl rely on this company for money so these changes that help attract business also help the business stay afloat.

Thank you and I hope you all can take this to mind

The movie plot will keep it simple. Chuck E Cheese, being an orphan, stumbles upon Pasquale's Pizzeria and becomes partners because of Chuck's ability to sing. Then a goofy villain/businessman threatens to shut down his business, and Chuck has to find a way to get Pasquale's Pizzeria back while making friends along the way.

How

I love the old CEC. It was fun, exciting, a place you could count on for games, tokens and tickets.

I get there have been changes...but this new design is sad. It's changed so much it's not even Chuck E Cheese anymore. All the games are geared toward little ones, and it's as if they've gotten so cheap that they think a dance floor and a a tranmpoline are enough to bring in customers. It was sooo much better in its heyday. And I think if they bing back nostalgia, they could keep going. Right now the company seems no better off than they were in 2020. Please don't hate on me, this is just my opinion.

I got interviewed yesterday by the manager went well he said that he will find my application and then email me paperwork to do on workday then I’ll do orientation etc. but it’s the next day at 5pm as of writing this and still haven’t received anything from him should I wait until tomorrow to call or should I just wait it out?

View Poll

of the US of course

Finishing my Draft backlog with this

Me: What brought you to the CEC fandom?

Sears: Well I liked my Beta at my location so I went in and out of being a CEC Fan. Then around new years of this year I saw a Michael Armenta video which accidently lead me to joining the fandom.

Me: Did you ever see any of the other stages when you went to any CEC locations?

Sears: Nope, I've personally only seen a beta and dance floor, but hopefully one day i can go to one of the legacy venues.

Me: What was your favorite part of the CEC experience when you went?

Sears: The infamous clock ride, as well as the mascot doing live shows and throwing the tickets. Plus i cannot forget pausing my games to go see the Studio C 32m.

Me: I can imagine that clock ride right now. How did more not get hurt?

Sears: I genuinely don't know, i haven't been on there for a while but it felt like it was tight and risky

Me: How was the pizza? (And this time, I'm not asking about THAT myth)

Sears: Well it honestly was okay...not the best but fine,

Also one of the deepest regrets i still have is believing the freaking recycled pizza myth.

Me: Like i've told others, it'd be a a health violation.

Sears: Yea, plus CEC pizza isn't very different from other pizzas, it just has less taste.

Me: Do people not think of what MIGHT happen if that myth was true?

Sears: probably not...There's a reason why that theory is irrelevant.

Me: Can someone get me the number for a lawyer that deals in youtube conspiracy theorists? I got 2 I wanna sue for this...

Sears: Well for me that wasn't very deep even though it resulted in an awkward moment...

What shall we talk about next?

Me: How were the games when you went?

Sears: Phase 4 game package. Average, although the avenger coin collecting was cool.

Me: For those reading who's not in the fandom or don't know what you mean, can you explain what you mean by "phase 4 game package"? That would include myself, btw.

Sears: Aright so Phase 4 means the 2005 remodel, and i'm pretty sure every remodel has a game package.

My local had the avenger game package (although with some Operation Thumb Chuck remnants).

Me: Never knew they came in packages like that. But you can always count on Skee Ball being there, even if its by a different name... am I right?

Sears: Yep, skee ball was one of the better ones.

Me: So good, it was adapted into a pricing game for The Price is Right in the mid 80s! Don't believe me? Look up TPIR SuperBall after the interview.

Sears: Skee-Ball is honestly pretty good no matter what arcade you're in, and it remains a CEC classic.

Me: yea, it was even at the Dave & Buster's I went to a week-ish ago.

What other games did you like (that you can remember)?

Sears: Uhh Noah's Ark, Angry Birds, the Sketch booth

This one blocks game, where there is a big screen and you had to stack blocks or something.

Me: Stacker?

Sears: Something like that but it had a big screen

Me: Shows how long it's been since I've been to a CEC...I remember them having the ball and bucket game from Bozo The Clown's old show!

In any event, did you ever get to do the skytubes and/or the ball pit?

Sears: Ball Pit was looooong gone, but i did experience the skytubes before removal.

Me: What's your thoughts on the bot-less 2.0 era of CEC?

Sears: 2.0 is alright. I like the addition of the wooden decor, booths, and new lighting. Game package is the same, they didn't switch it out.

Exterior could be hit or miss when it comes to these 2.0s, mine is in the "meh" category.

Dance Floor is, kind of both good and bad, but I dearly miss the Studio C even though nobody else cared.

By the way I haven't entered the location after it got the video wall, but from the looks of it I don't like it.

Me: In your honest opinion, how many kids actually paid attention to the bots back in the day vs the adults?

Sears: Back in the day, everyone did because the Showroom was cool and the music was a jam. Now it was just only me lol.

Me: Got any other memories you feel like sharing from your visits?

Sears: Hmm...let's see here. Nothing really special to mention.

My local had a few unique elements but other than that, standard 2005 remodel location with the Phase 3 exterior.

Me: Well, memories do fade with time, so i understand.

In any event, any last words you want to say to the community and anyone else reading?

Sears: Well first of all Nathan Spies is goated.

Second, since we didn't get to the post-2.0 stuff I'd like to say i appreciate this community and CEC University wiki

Me: Who? Sorry if I'm out of the loop.

Sears: Nathan Spies is the guy who invented the History Of genre in the fandom.

And third, this is corny but Have A Chuck E. Day!

Me: And here's some equally corny advice from me.

Don't cut the cheese...who knows where it's been.

Sears: Well until next episode, goodbye reader!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: DRUGS & CHILD NEGLECT

Me: How long have you been working at your local CEC?

CEC Anon #4: I've been working with CEC for about 3 years i believe.

*Note from our subject: I worked at two different ones: one a 2.0ed location and one a legacy location!*

Me: How was it working with the bots?

CEC Anon #4: The location that got 2.0'ed had a Studio C bot, it was my childhood one. loved it a lot. but he got removed and the legacy store needed new management so I got transferred over, and I love seeing the bots everyday for sure.

Me: were you ever afraid of the bots as a kid?

CEC Anon #4: I definitely was a little skittish, I probably would've been more afraid if it was the full band. But at the same time i thought they were really cool, so I'd watch from a distance lol.

Me: If it was now, would FNAF stuff factor in?

CEC Anon #4: What do you mean exactly?

Me: If it was your childhood NOW, would the FNAF franchise and its scariness factor in how you feel

CEC Anon #4: Oh! Gotcha. Probably still a little bit, but as an older kid I was OBSESSED with FNAF. That's actually what got me back into CEC in the first place. I would've probably just thought it was a funny connection between the two or something.

Me: Speaking of common questions, since the FNAF connection is one i ask, thoughts on the recycled pizza myth?

CEC Anon #4: Haha it's just goofy. like I know it's a kids' place but we would've gotten shut down a longgggg time ago if that were true. plus it's a Shane Dawson theory so 💀

Me: Yea... when your best proof are 2 clickbait conspiracy theorists... you kinda lose a ton of credibility points with me.

CEC Anon #4: Exactly 😭

Me: And people still ask in 2024, don't they...

CEC Anon #4: Sometimes yeah 😭 but when I was/am doing gameroom i always make a point to not bring pizza to the trash cans in the back, I try to only throw them out in the Thank You boxes so that ppl don't think that. even years later sometimes it's still an issue lol

Me: and that's still a molehill compared to OTHER conspiracy theories people believe in 2024... (no comments, plz, in the audience)

You folks see why we're in the place we're in on topics way larger than any CEC stuff?

In any evet...

How many customers per day do you think ask about the pizza?

CEC Anon #4: Not very many, usually only like 1 a month if even that, but it's usually only kids too so they have a hard time believing you if you tell them otherwise lmao

Me: cause they're the ones on YT unsupervised

CEC Anon #4: yup, iPad kids go crazy

Me: Which also brought us crap like Skibidi Toilet and the "rise" of Lanky Box (don't ask)

OH, I almost forgot, what DO you do over there?

CEC Anon #4: I was a gameroom attendant before I transferred stores. now at the legacy location I do a little bit of everything, but mostly just being a cashier cuz that's who we need the most. the job is really just about helping each other out as best as we can, especially cuz we're really understaffed. the only thing I'm not super confident in is doing parties..

Me: Do you do the Game Tap or whatever to see if the gams work before opening/after closing? I've heard others mention it

CEC Anon #4: Yes! we have to do it twice a day. preferably one in the morning, either right before opening or a little after opening, and then a second one we do in the afternoon. my favorite part of the job, personally.

Me: How would you describe the environment at your CEC? not just the decor and such, but the energy as well.

CEC Anon #4: Depends on the day lol. during the week it's a ton of fun, I love all my coworkers. the weekends as well, but the stress of being absolutely slammed from the second we open to close is crazy. we do our best to keep positive attitudes though.

The reopening party was CRAZY though. easily the best shift I have ever worked period. i was in the kitchen prepping salad half the time and i could still feel the energy from the front of house.

And for Halloween me and some coworkers decorated the store and I felt the vibes improve a ton. not just employees but guests too. the people who come to my store are a lot nicer than the people at my old store, i think it's just the area we're in and the fans that come in, too.

Me: How do you feel about the ghost kitchen ordering? IE Pasqually's and Buddy V's

CEC Anon #4: Personally, i think it was a good idea. It definitely kept the business afloat somewhat during covid whenever dine-in wasn't available. But, as my own personal opinion, I think keeping it open past covid is a little misleading and kind of overstaying its welcome. buddy V's is fine cuz it's not our product technically, but we do also have CEC listed on places like doordash. not pasqually's, but CEC, so it kinda feels icky. I'm also just not really a huge fan of ghost kitchens in general, though.

Me: I see...And none of this ties into the week this interview was doen (the week of Halloween).

Anyway... Any interesting stories you want to share?

CEC Anon #4: Oh, a particular one that was just heartbreaking to me was at my old store. My manager at the time and I were standing by the front door when suddenly a little boy tries to leave by himself. We stopped and asked him where his parents were, and he just shrugged his shoulders. turns out, the parents had just left their kid there. we called the cops and looked at cameras and somehow got in contact with the parents. It took them TWO HOURS to show up (the store was already closed), and when they came in, the whole family of like 5 kids and 2 parents were in their pajamas and reeked of marijuana. While we waited for them, though, me and all my coworkers treated him like a king. Got him a game card with a bunch of points, some prizes, and made him food. But he just stayed so sad the whole time. I still think about him from time to time, i hope he's doing okay.

Me: MY GOD... Was this pre-or post legalization?

CEC Anon #4: Pre as far as i know.

Me: So we have illegal drug usage and child abandonment... what other crimes coulda been at play at this point...

Oh, and it also sounds like the setup for Security Breach, now that you say that LUL

CEC Anon #4: LMAO... i love that stupid ass game

(After a long off-record talk about above story)

Me: What advice would you give would-be employees?

CEC Anon #4: In the wise words of Charles Entertainment Cheese, just be yourself! You'll find your people and once you have someone you can rely on, it makes the job a lot more fun. Fun is the whole point of the job. Also ask questions if you have them, it's better to briefly annoy your managers/coworkers than to potentially mess something up lol.

Me: Tthat last part is true for just about EVERYTHING!

CEC Anon #4: Yes indeed.

Me: Well it was nice talking to you, outside that one topic...

CEC Anon #4: Yeah sorry for traumatizing you 😭

it was nice talking to you though!

This weekend, Assorted Airheads Mini Bars, which are sold for 60 tickets in Chuck E.’s Gift Shop and handed out for free during DJ Munch’s Haunted House Party, were pulled due to a guest finding a “foreign object” inside one. At this time, it is unknown if more of these bars are affected, but the company is hoping it was just the one, and is pulling them simply as a precaution until they have more info. For the time being, Fun Centers are to store the candy in a safe place until further instruction. Airheads Bites are to be handed out during DJ Munch’s Haunted House Party in place of the Mini Bars for the remainder of the promotion.

I know Northridge was after lost locations remodeled but was was more retro than Northridge.

Me: How long have you been a manager for CEC?

Anon Manger: i have been a manager for 6 months of my 12 month tenure

Me: what all DO you manage at your CEC?

Anonager: Well my AOI is showroom, so area wise I'm over all birthday parties and groups, live shows, if its a show or entertainment oriented I'm involved as well as just generally running shifts like any other manager at a business. I open and close, take care of cast members and make sure they are staying proactive. i do birthday calls every Thursday, book birthdays, assign hosts and get everything ready for the birthday waves on the weekend, something I'm actually finalizing since its Friday.

Me: BTW. What's AOI?

Anonager: AOI is Area of Impact

Me: Another question, what's your thoughts on the theory that these CEC locations recycle their pizzas?

Anonager: i always thought it was silly bc just a small bit of common sense will tell you that's against food safety protocols. if we actually did that wed be shut down. everything at CEC is made fresh even the dough. the reason the pizza slices look wonky is bc we cut them with a pizza blade and not a pizza cutter. regardless we have a standard at CEC, if its not a 10 make it again. so messed up pizza shouldn't be sent out to begin with.

Me: IDK why people believe everything some famous youtuber says.

Anonager: And Shane Dawson of all people? should be ashamed...

Me: That puts him down near the bottom of the list of Dawsons I've heard of.

Anonager: EXACTLY

Me: The top, being game show biased, is Richard Dawson.

In any event, if the "evidence" is uneven slices... wouldn't that put ALL pizza places under similar suspicion?

Anonager: its between uneven slices and ovens not being at the correct temp, all ovens should be at 550F. When doing Food Audits we check for oven temperature.

Me: Another thing that i typically ask folk who've worked at CEC: Do you think FNAF had any major impact to the CEC brand?

Anonager: I think it brought a new audience in but i don't really feel like it had a major impact no, get a lot of fnaf fans come in and talking to them is enjoyable but overall nahh just brought back some popularity. i hate the idea that its the reason we started getting rid of the bots.

Me: So you don't blame Freddy Fazbear for 2.0?

Anonager: Like any company (esp being almost 50 years old) is gonna change a lot, one of CECs mottos is that The only thing consistent IS change. These bots are from the 80s and 90s and cost a lot of money to maintain. When looking from a business standpoint, it was a good decision, not a decision everyone including me might be happy with but ya know...

No i do not blame Freddy Fazbear for 2.0 lol.

Every company changes with age. Were just trying to adapt. Like the ticket blaster being replaced for example. We stopped doing tickets bc of covid. We literally can't wash your tickets they get recycled.

Same with ticket blaster tickets, its kinda gross ya know!

Me: Do you think having ghost kitchens (Pasqually's Pizza and Wings/Buddy V's) is a good idea for CEC as a company?

Anonager: i think it benefits us greatly ! we get lots of orders for Buddy V, not so much Pasqually.

Me: Do you wish we COULD try saving the bots, even if personally?

Anonager: Oh for sure ! i do miss them...the only reason i work here is from going 8 years straight for my birthday as a child.

i think itd just be better to make new bots instead of trying to perserve over 30 year old bots. I'm glad we kept a few because a few is financially acceptable and it all goes back to change too. We want to change and expand and adapt, even though i had ALL my birthdays at a 3 stage store and am doing this for the love of the company and job. Im okay with everything changing.

Me: If you were in charge what would you change/not change?

Anonager: That's a good question, but honestly the only thing id change if i could would be the bots, overall everything is going great as a company.

Oh! The breaking everything and destroying policy, while i understand it, if they aren't keeping it... Preservation is so important!

Me: What memories did you have (if any) of going to CEC as a customer back in the day, prior to being a manager?

Anonager: Yea! I went to a former showbiz store growing up i had 8 consecutive birthday parties year after year as well as random visits here and there. im only 21 and my GM was a party host around the times i was having my parties. i used to be very scared of the walkaround and would run into the skytubes and puke.

Me: Was the Showbiz store still Showbiz, or was it CEC by the time you went?

Anonager: it was CEC now.

Me: Btw, that's a first... up CHUCKING due to Chuck E. (sorry, it was right there...)

Anonager: Some of the fondest memories i have are just trying to get as many tickets to feed to Mr munch bc i like the ticket eating noise lol and taking pictures on sketchbook with my mom. We still have that same sketchbook machine and once it reaches the scrap list im gonna take it home hopefully if i can.

Our store is starting the remodel very very soon. We're also keeping our circles of light as a video wall instead of redoing it. Im hoping they send us a extra character for our grand reopening, I would very much like to get in the jasper suit!

Me: Well, the imaginary clock is almost up, so one last question.

Is there anything you want to say to future Cast Members that want to join the company?

Anonager: id say its a good first job for what it is, you get a lot of good benefits even as a part time cast member as well as learning a lot of skills that will be useful to other jobs or even with life. being good with kids and learning how to handle them is great ! its brought me to the point where im thinking of having my own :)

and getting in the suit aint that bad. its really really fun if you know how to operate inside of it!

Me: Well, that's another one in the books. I'd like to thank our Anonager for hanging in there despite moments where one side the other was busy with other things. An hopefully, others would want to contact me about their time working at CEC (even as a manager.

Put in some context during 2014 (I think) Nanuet removed some some of the 90s decor making the store looking basic now and in 2024 when Nanuet was announced to be the next retro store I assumed that Nanuet will get more 90s decor but I guess I was wrong 😑