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Chuck E. Cheese announces partnership with new California Dreamin’ water parkChuck E. Cheese announces partnership with new California Dreamin’ water park

The partnership includes the eatertainment brand’s first location-based licensing deal

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, Managing Editor

October 18, 2023

2 Min Read
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Chuck E. Cheese parent company CEC Entertainment on Tuesday announced the company’s first location-based licensing deal, bringing branded rides, a themed area, merchandise and more to the upcoming California Dreamin’ water park in Sacramento, Calif.

The park will include a Chuck E. Cheese branded children’s and family area with branded rides, slides, and splash zones, as well as an arcade and branded retail shop, and a Pasqually’s Pizzeria Restaurant. The Chuck E. Cheese character, as well as his fellow characters Jasper T. Jowls, Mr. Munch, Hellen Henny, Bella B., and Pasqually will make appearances.

The deal also includes cross promotions with Chuck E. Cheese locations in Sacramento and throughout Northern California.

“I am absolutely thrilled to partner with California Dreamin’ on our first-ever location-based entertainment project,” said David McKillips, CEC Entertainment president and CEO, in a release. “In nearly 50 years, Chuck E. Cheese has hosted more than one billion guests and is one of the most popular children’s properties in and outside our fun centers. Evolving our IP in new areas of location-based entertainment is another exciting and natural step for our iconic family-friendly brand.”

The water park will replace the former Raging Waters Sacramento Water Park. With California Dreamin’ as the new operator, the park will include new rides, food and beverage, and entertainment.

“Chuck E. Cheese is an instantly recognized premiere kids and family brand that transcends generations,” said Steve Dooner, CEO of California Dreamin’, in a release. “With millions of fans in California and around the world, this will be a fun and unique themed experience for our guests. Plus, the company’s expertise leading the industry with the world’s best arcades, innovation in F&B, and original entertainment makes for a perfect partnership for our park.”

According to his LinkedIn profile, Dooner began his career at Chuck E. Cheese.

The restaurant brand got its start in nearby San Jose, Calif., in 1977. According to a press release, Chuck E. Cheese is also moving into branded merchandise, having signed more than a dozen new licensees in 2023.

More details on the new water park, including an opening date, have yet to be announced.

Contact Leigh Anne at [email protected]

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About the Author

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister

Managing Editor

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister is a managing editor for Informa’s Foodservices Vertical, specifically Nation’s Restaurant News, Restaurant Hospitality, and Foodservice Director.  Leigh Anne works on all of the brands’ special reports, including Nation’s Restaurant News’ annual Top 500 report and Restaurant Hospitality’s Best Cocktails and Best Sandwiches contests. She also manages the group’s digital engagement team, and was the managing editor for Supermarket News until December 2024.

Leigh Anne lives in New York City, but also claims Phoenix, Dallas and Cleveland as hometowns. Leigh Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, where she also studied European history. 

Email Leigh Anne at [email protected] 

Leigh Anne Zinsmeister’s experience: 

  • Group Managing Editor, Informa’s Foodservices Vertical (Aug. 2021-present)

  • Group Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (Feb. 2020-Aug. 2021)

  • Digital Content Manager, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (April 2018-Feb. 2020)

  • Digital Content Producer, Informa Restaurant and Food Group (June 2016-April 2018)

  • Community Moderator, Mail Online (March 2014-June 2016)

  • Wire Editor, Gannett’s Phoenix Design studio (The Arizona Republic, The Reno Gazette-Journal, The Statesman Journal, The Great Falls Tribune, The Visalia Times-Delta, The Tulare Advance Register, The Salinas Californian, The St. George Spectrum, The Desert Sun, The Coloradoan) (Jan. 2012-March 2014)

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