US chain Chuck E Cheese signs deal to launch UK restaurants

US chain Chuck E Cheese is set to launch its first restaurants in the UK after signing a multi-unit franchise agreement.

The group said it planned to bring its “signature mix of arcade games, interactive play zones” and titular mouse mascot to families across the country.

The locations of its first restaurants have yet to be confirmed, but last year the group was reported to be eyeing sites around Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Bristol.

It will be the European debut for the brand, which is working in partnership with a UK-based team.

Chuck E Cheese was founded in California in 1997 and hosts half a million children’s birthday parties a year.

Alongside its franchisees, the company operates nearly 600 “fun centres” in 16 countries worldwide, offering pizza, arcade games, lives shows and trampolines.

The chain said it would offer a “reimagined version” of its US restaurants tailored to the UK market.

Mario Centola, chief operating officer of Chuck E Cheese International, said: “Chuck E Cheese is an incredible global brand that brings families together across cultures through the universal language of fun. We’re thrilled to bring our unique magic for family fun to the UK.”

It joins a growing number of US restaurant chains planning UK expansion over the next few years. Fried chicken giant Raising Cane’s will launch in Piccadilly Circus next year, while diner chain Denny’s is seeking offers for its master franchise rights.

Controversial chicken chain Chick-fil-A will make its UK return with a restaurant in Leeds this autumn.