Fact Brief: Is San Jose home to the first ever Chuck E. Cheese location?

Chuck E. Cheese, a popular restaurant chain and children’s birthday party venue known for its arcade games, pizza and animatronics, opened its first location in San Jose on May 17, 1977. 

First known as Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre, the restaurant was originally located on South Winchester Boulevard, which is now occupied by Santana Row. The business later moved into a former 3-story toy store off of Tully Road, which is still a Chuck E. Cheese location today.

Chuck E. Cheese was founded by Nolan Bushnell, who also invented the popular video game Pong and co-founded the video game company Atari. Atari traces its roots back to Silicon Valley as well — the company started in Sunnyvale in 1972. Four years later Bushnell sold the company to Warner Communications.