The refurbished exterior of the Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd. welcomes guests.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - A long-time family favorite in Citrus Heights, Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd. in the Sunrise Hills Shopping Center has wrapped up an extensive interior and exterior remodel.

It’s the first substantial top to bottom refresh in some 30 years since the restaurant and fun center opened in 1983, said Midnight Rys, an assistant manager.  “It looks cool and brings a youthful, fun spirit to the center for the kids of today to enjoy,” she said.

Manager Midnight Rys welcomes guests at the Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd.

Sunrise Hills is a three-tenant commercial property leased and occupied by National Career Education, Chuck E. Cheese and Montage Salon Studios.

Nationwide, all of Chuck E. Cheese’s restaurants and fun centers are being transformed by the Irving, Texas-based company in a $300 million remodeling initiative with bright, modern interior décor that features vivid colors and contemporary artwork, new games, a trampoline zone and a new “adult-friendly” menu that creates an inviting and exciting environment for today’s families.

A recent inside tour of the refreshed Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese shows it’s still a great place where a “kid can be a kid” — and adults can still have fun too.

Renovations began on January 21 with the replacement of carpet throughout, fresh paint and the retirement of the large familiar animatronic characters of Chuck E. Cheese and his fellow cast members which has since been replaced by a large, interactive dance floor, she said.

The company is revamping its locations to appeal to a new generation, she explained.

A new jumbo video wall which creates a concert-like experience plays sing-and-dance-along birthday tunes and features original Chuck E. Cheese characters now in digital form, which “meets the demands of kids today, who have higher expectations of realism and special effects,” according to the company.

Not to worry. “Chuck E Cheese himself is still excited to welcome birthday guests in person and looks forward to meeting everyone as they come to play and have fun,” Rys said.

New booth seating has been reconfigured throughout the center where a combined birthday area and dance floor is just steps away from the kitchen.

Games are ready in the new game space at the Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd.

Founded by Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder of Atari, and known as Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre, the groundbreaking and innovative concept brought pizza, animatronic entertainment and games together all under one roof. The first Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Time Theatre opened in San Jose in May 1977.

Outside, what was a non-descript beige exterior wall has been repainted with a large-scale caricature of smiling Chuck E. Cheese against a bubble-themed backdrop.

Popular birthday options continue to include arcade games, pizza, drinks, birthday cake, a reserved birthday table with party set up, and plenty of family fun. At Chuck E. Cheese, children collect game tickets and score arcade prizes the more they play a large assortment of kid-friendly games.

The new menu board, and prizes on the right, greet guests at the Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd.

The remodeled Citrus Heights center, which has a staff of 20, Rys said, now creates much more of a relaxing environment for parents. The new booth seating in the main game space also features plugins for adults to charge up their phone for plenty of family photos, or work if they must.

Large screen digital menu boards and self-service kiosks near the entrance of the remodel restaurants make ordering off the menu simple and fast, she said.

“The new trampoline zone was installed just last week,” she said. “Kids are really starting to enjoy it.”

The trampoline space is available for younger guests under 52 inches tall. Guests can also take advantage of the space with an all-day jump pass or as a birthday party add-on.

The new trampoline area ready for fun at the Citrus Heights Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd.

“We’re also excited to offer a completely new menu for adults which we think they will like,” she said. Four new signature pizzas, with multiple topping choices, baked to order, brushed with garlic butter, and sprinkled with Italian seasoning are offered in large sizes. A variety of hot wings offered in flavorful sauces and rubs now deliver the heat.

A new menu was rolled out nationwide in December 2023 as part of the company’s strategy to offer new flavors and experiences to the millions of parents that visit each year, rather than just the chain’s youngest diners, said Chuck E. Cheese (CEC) Entertainment CEO and President David McKillips in a recent press release.

Chuck E. Cheese at 6251 Sunrise Blvd. in Citrus Heights is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 916-723-2932 for more information, or visit: locations.chuckecheese.com/us/ca/citrusheights/6251-sunrise-blvd.