The History of "Chuck E. Cheese's Cantagallo"

 Chuck E. Cheese - Cantagallo / Lo Barnechea (1994-2025)

Chuck E. Cheese “Cantagallo” was a Chuck E. Cheese location in Chile, situated on Avenida San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer 12352. It was the first Chuck E. Cheese in the country, opening in December 1994 with a 1-Stage animatronic show. The store remained in operation until August 10, 2025, when it permanently closed. At the time of its closure, it was the last operating Munch’s Make Believe Band in South America and the only 1-Stage outside of the United States.

History

Opening & Early Years (1994 - 2000s):

Chuck E. Cheese Cantagallo opened in December 1994 under the “Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza” format, introducing the franchise to Chile. It became the first location in the country and the second international store outside North America. The restaurant debuted with a Classic 1-Stage featuring the Munch’s Make Believe Band, an arcade, and the standard colorful “Major 90s Remodel” interior.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the location kept its original look and entertainment lineup. During this period, attendance began to slowly decline as video games and the internet grew in popularity, though the brand remained active through marketing efforts.

2008 Remodel:

In 2008, the restaurant underwent a major renovation as part of the CEC 2000s Remodel Program. Updates included:

• Replacement of the original logo with the Mid/Late 2000s Avenger Thumb Chuck design.
• New color scheme and interior décor.
• SkyTubes and Toddler Zone swapped positions.
• The showroom was redone: the stage was relocated, the showroom walls were removed, and the Turntable, Wink, and curtains were retired from the stage.
• The animatronics received updated costumes, with Chuck E. adopting his Avenger outfit and Helen permanently switching from her cheerleader uniform back to her standard CU attire.
• CRT televisions were replaced with flat-screen displays.

2010 Expansion:

In 2010, the Cantagallo location was expanded. While sometimes linked to the 2010 Chile earthquake, the expansion was unrelated. Changes included:

• Removal of Phase 3 shelves from the Major 90s Remodel.
• Enlargement of the arcade with additional games.
• Minor structural updates, most notably the addition of the red pillar directly in front of the stage.

Despite the renovations, the 1-Stage animatronic show remained mostly operational, continuing to use its Cyberamic characters.

During the 2020s, Cantagallo received several updates:

• Some Avenger-era posters were replaced with CEC 2.0 artwork.
• The showroom and party area were reorganized.
• For a limited time, the location featured a collaboration with Chilean soda mascots Bilz y Pap, though this display was later removed, leaving only Chuck and brand signage until 2025.

Animatronic Replacement (2025)

In early 2025, the original Cantagallo animatronics, which had deteriorated after years of service, were replaced with a restored set of Cyberamics from the former Plaza Oeste location. These bots were restored and reinstalled by engineering students from the "Universidad Católica de Chile", returning the show to full operational status. This made Cantagallo the only location outside the United States with a fully functional 1-Stage at the time.

Closure (2025)

On July 16, 2025, the closure of Cantagallo was officially announced through signs posted outside the building and confirmed by employees. The final day of operation was August 10, 2025.

Uncertainty initially surrounded the fate of the animatronics, though on July 31, 2025, a Chilean outlet reported that the figures would be preserved and relocated to another restaurant to establish the first Legacy store in South America.

On its final day, the band performed one last song, followed by a tiny farewell speech, bringing an end to over 30 years of history at the country’s first Chuck E. Cheese location.

Legacy

Chuck E. Cheese Cantagallo holds an important place in the franchise’s history:

• It was the first and longest-running Chuck E. Cheese in Chile.
• It was the second international store outside North America.
• It was the only location outside the United States to feature a 1-Stage, following the relocation of Plaza Oeste’s animatronics.
• At the time of its closure, it was the last operating Munch’s Make Believe Band in South America.

The closure of Cantagallo marked the end of animatronic shows in the Chilean market, though its figures were confirmed to be preserved for future use in a Legacy location.

For more insight (if you are a visual learner) check out this video!: 

* Remember! You can find more Pictures of Cantagallo and a lot more cool stuff on our very own Photo Gallery!!!