CEC Entertainment, Inc. : Chuck E. Cheese's To Offer New, Gluten-Free Options on Food Menu
05/07/2012| 10:05am US/Eastern

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Family entertainment center to pilot gluten-free pizza and cupcake in
Minnesota store locations
While pizza, dessert and soft drinks are all common favorites for
adolescents, compliance with a gluten-free
diet often excludes these food experiences from children and
families when dining away from home. To accommodate guests with special
dietary needs, Chuck E. Cheese's has added gluten-free options to its
menu. The new food items, which include a gluten-free pizza and
chocolate cupcake, will begin testing at all Minnesota
Chuck E. Cheese's locations to gauge demand for future national
availability.
"We've received an overwhelming response from families requesting that
we add gluten-free products to our menu
items for their kids who love to visit us but can't enjoy a Chuck-E
classic, pizza, because of special diet needs," said Joe Elliot, Chuck
E. Cheese's vice president of research and development. "In light of
growing concerns and sensitivity to this lifestyle, we listened to their
feedback and wanted to provide options that better help everyone enjoy
the full flavor of Chuck E. Cheese's."
Dining out safely remains a primary concern for food-allergic customers
under strict dietary limitations. To avoid cross contamination or
accidental exposure to gluten ingredients in Chuck E. Cheese's kitchens,
the personal cheese pizza, manufactured by USDA/FDA-approved,
gluten-free facility Conte's
Pasta, will arrive to stores in frozen, pre-sealed packaging. The
bake-in-bag pizza will remain sealed while cooked and delivered and
until opened and served with a personal pizza cutter at families' tables
by the adult in charge.
Under the same procedure, gluten-free, chocolate fudge cupcakes
naturally sweetened with fruits, vegetables and grains from Fabe's
All Natural Bakery will remain in pre-sealed, single-serve packaging
through preparation and until opened and served at the table. To ensure
high taste, integrity and quality standards are met before a national
launch, testing these menu options helps Chuck E. Cheese's deliver the
same type of consistent, great-tasting food products that are expected
from the leader in family entertainment and dining.
"From delivery to table, our procedures ensure that families can feel
confident knowing their meal is completely within gluten-free
guidelines," said Elliott. "We're happy we can provide a place 'Where a
Kid Can Be a Kid' and enjoy great fun and food guilt- and gluten-free."
Although these menu options are not available at every Chuck E. Cheese's
location at this time, the restaurant is evaluating the possibility of
introducing gluten-free birthday parties and other special dietary
products nationwide if test markets perform well. In addition to the
successful launch of its new
pizza recipe last year, Chuck E. Cheese's plans to continue adapting
its menu to offer dishes that accommodate the changing tastes, dietary
needs and lifestyles of families all over the country.
Guests can find more information about Conte's Pasta at http://www.contespasta.com/
and Fabe's All-Natural Bakery at http://www.fabesnatural.com/.
About CEC Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: CEC):
For more than 30 years, CEC Entertainment (NYSE: CEC) has served as the
nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment and the
place Where a Kid can be a Kid®.
The Company and its franchisees operate a system of 555 Chuck E.
Cheese's stores located in 48 states and seven foreign countries or
territories. Currently, 506 locations in the United States and Canada
are owned and operated by the Company. CEC Entertainment, Inc. and its
franchises have the common goal of creating lifelong memories for
families through fun, food and play. Each Chuck E. Cheese's features
musical and comic robotic entertainment, games, rides and play areas as
well as a variety of dining options including pizza, sandwiches, a salad
bar and desserts. Committed to providing a fun, safe environment, Chuck
E. Cheese's helps protect families through industry-leading programs
such as Kid Check®.
Chuck E. Cheese's aims to promote positive, lifelong memories inside and
outside of its stores. In addition to providing a fun entertainment
experience for millions of families across the world, Chuck E. Cheese's
has donated more than $6 million to schools and non-profit institutions
through its fundraising programs. For more information, see the
company's website at www.chuckecheese.com.

M/C/C for Chuck E. Cheese?s
Ambur Evans, 972-480-8383 ext. 272
Media
Relations Representative
ambur_evans@mccom.com
© Business Wire 2012
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