Dive Brief:
- CEC Entertainment is promoting Scott Drake to CEO and president, succeeding David McKillips, effective Feb. 13, according to a Tuesday press release.
- Drake has served as CFO at the company since 2024. McKillips led the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza since 2020, and helped the company through “post-pandemic stabilization, transformation, and sustained growth,” the company said.
- Drake will oversee the chain’s next phase of growth, which will include brand extensions of its indoor playground, Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World, and expansion of Mega-Superhero Playgrounds and the resort-based Chuck’s arcade.
Dive Insight:
During McKillips’ tenure, CEC Entertainment underwent a dramatic transformation. It began 2021 emerging from bankruptcy following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit eatertainment chains hard.
Over the next few years, McKillips oversaw the expansion of Peter Piper Pizza, including the opening of several off-premise only Peter Piper Express. The company also continues to expand internationally and has plans to open its first location in the U.K. in the near future.
McKillips said in a LinkedIn post that he wasn’t ready to share where he is going next but that it is an “all-new global challenge.”
Drake brings significant leadership experience to his new position, after helping to stabilize the company’s finances over the past year and a half. Prior to CEC Entertainment, he held executive roles at Farmer Brothers Coffee Co., GameStop and 7-Eleven.
Last September, he oversaw the close of a $625 million private credit term loan facility and an amendment to CEC’s existing revolving credit agreement. The transaction aligned with the company’s goals of deleveraging its balance sheet, minimizing capital expenditures and increasing free cash flow, Drake said in a statement at the time.
“Under [Drake]'s financial leadership, CEC strengthened its balance sheet, refinanced its capital structure and delivered growth through key strategic initiatives, and today, the company is in an enviable position among its competitors," said CEC Board Chairman Joshua Acheatel.
CEC is currently enhancing the entertainment portions of its portfolio following the completion of a systemwide remodel and brand refresh. Last July, it opened Chuck’s Arcade, beginning with 10 mall locations, offering adults access to a variety of arcade games.
It opened its first Adventure World last November in Arlington, Texas. That location offers a 12,000-square-foot indoor playground designed for 3- to 8-year-olds and includes Trampoline Zones and a Superhero Playground. It also features a Pasqually’s Snack Shop, which serves Chuck E. Cheese pizza, light snacks and drinks.
Last April, CEC permanently rebranded 125 active play areas as Chuck E. Chese’s Superhero Playgrounds. At the time, those playgrounds were available across locations in California, Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Utah.
“CEC is operating from a position of strength as we move forward in 2026, and we are prepared to accelerate our expansion domestically and internationally, with brand extensions and diversified revenue streams,” Drake said in a statement.
