The History of "Chuck E. Cheese Cantagallo"
Chuck E. Cheese - Cantagallo / Lo Barnechea
Chuck E. Cheese "Cantagallo" is a Chuck E. Cheese location in Chile, situated on Avenida San Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer. It was the first Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in the country, opening in December 1994. The location features an arcade, a dining area, and an animatronic stage with a Cyberamic show.
History
Opening & Early Years (1994 - 2000s):
Chuck E. Cheese Cantagallo opened in December 1994 as a "Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza", introducing the franchise to Chile. It included a 1-Stage animatronic show, a selection of arcade games, and the brand's standard colorful interior. The restaurant remained largely unchanged throughout the 1990s and 2000s, maintaining its original design and entertainment offerings.
2008 Remodel:
In 2008, Cantagallo underwent a major renovation as part of the CEC 2000s Remodel Program. This update modernized both the interior and exterior of the restaurant:
- The Avenger Thumb Chuck logo replaced the original signage.
- The color scheme was updated to match Chuck E. Cheese's branding of the time.
- The SkyTubes and Toddler Zone switched places.
- The showroom walls were removed, integrating the stage into the main dining area.
- The Stage switched places, the "Turntable", "Wink" and curtains were removed and the animatronics received new costumes, with Chuck E. adopting his Avenger outfit.
2010 Expansion:
In 2010, the Cantagallo location was further expanded. While previously thought to be a result of the 2010 Chile earthquake, it has since been confirmed that the earthquake did not impact the restaurant's structure. The expansion included:
- Phase 3 Shelves removed
- A larger arcade area with additional games.
- Some minor structural changes, including the addition of the infamous red pillar 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 removed and replaced with CEC 2.0 artwork.
- Minor reorganizations were made to the party area.
- Some older arcade machines were replaced with newer models.
Animatronic Replacement (2025)
In 2025, the original Cantagallo animatronics, which had suffered from years of wear and neglect, were replaced with a restored set of Cyberamics from the now-closed Chuck E. Cheese Plaza Oeste location.
Legacy
Chuck E. Cheese Cantagallo remains a significant location in the franchises history as the first Chuck E. Cheese in Chile. It is also notable for preserving elements from multiple eras of the brand, including its animatronics, decor, and stage setup.
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