Chuck E. Cheese taps former Dave and Buster’s exec as marketing chief
Chuck E. Cheese has named a new marketing chief as it continues its its brand transformation efforts.
CEC Entertainment has appointed Sean Gleason as chief marketing officer for its flagship brand, Chuck. E. Cheese, and virtual kitchen brand, Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings.
Gleason comes to Chuck E. Cheese with more than 25 years of marketing strategy, media, advertising and brand experience. From 2009 to 2020, he led the marketing efforts at Dave & Buster’s as chief marketing officer.
Prior to that, Gleason was the senior VP, strategic marketing communications for Dr. Pepper Snapple Group. Before that, he spent more than 10 years at Pizza Hut, where his roles included VP of marketing communications, as well as a director of field marketing.
Most recently, Gleason ran his own consulting firm, working with both public- and privately-held food and beverage brands.
Gleason joins the company as Chuck E. Cheese continues a comprehensive brand transformation initiative. To date, the company has completed approximately 200 remodels that include updating its locations with more games and technology enhancements. Remodeled (and new) locations also feature an interactive dance floor, a large format video wall and screens with audio connected throughout the venue to provide a more immersive entertainment experience for customers and parties.
With nearly half of its 600-store fleet remodeled already, the brand is on track to remodel another 100 locations across the nation in 2023.
"I am thrilled to have Sean join CEC Entertainment to lead the marketing strategy for the world's largest family entertainment center brand, Chuck E Cheese," said David McKillips, president and CEO of CEC Entertainment. "His proven leadership, expertise and success across the restaurant and family entertainment business is a perfect complement to the most aggressive brand transformation in the company's history."
As Chuck E. Cheese chief marketng officer, Gleason will lead all marketing functions, menu innovation, guest insights, communications, as well as the brand's digital marketing and consumer journey initiatives. He will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that position Chuck E. Cheese for long-term growth, both domestically and internationally.
"Chuck E. Cheese is a multi-generational iconic brand and I am truly honored to have the opportunity to join the amazing team and lead the brand for the next generation of fans," said Gleason. "The Chuck E. Cheese brand potential is unlimited. I look forward to working with the entire CEC Entertainment team and franchise community to build and accelerate the brand's momentum in the years to come."
CEC Entertainment’s brands include Chuck E. Cheese, Peter Piper Pizza and virtual kitchen concept, Pasqually's Pizza & Wings, which operates out of 400 ghost locations nationwide.
The company and its franchisees operate a system of nearly 600 Chuck E. Cheese and more than 120 Peter Piper Pizza venues, with locations in 47 states and 17 foreign countries and territories.