Mr. Munch

Mr. Munch's 2012 "Rockstar" redesign. Currently being used as of February 2024.

Mr. Munch is a character at the Chuck E. Cheese chain of Family Entertainment Centers (FECs). Mr. Munch made his debut on December 2nd, 1978, when the San Jose, California (1371 Kooser Road) location opened. Munch was the replacement for Crusty the Cat, who only appeared at the San Jose, California (370 S Winchester Blvd) location.

Mr. Munch is currently still used by CEC and is the pianist of Munch's Make Believe Band.

History

Origins

Mr. Munch was first thought up by Michael M. Hatcher, director of entertainment for Pizza Time Theater, wanted the "Pizza Time Players" (The Pizza Time Theater Cast) needed a monster character ^{[source needed]}. The team decided to cut an already existing character, and due to multiple reasons such as low audience reputation, Crusty the Cat was replaced for Mr. Munch. Early sketches were created by Debbie Barton, oddly containing version with different color combinations. The final color scheme became, Pink Eyelids, Yellow Hair/Belly/Nose Fur, Purple Main fur, Sharp teeth, & Large lack Eyes.

Pizza Time Theater

Pre-Merger

The Original Mr. Munch (Cyberamic) Animatronic used at the Kooser Rd. Store

Mr. Munch officially debuted to the public along with the opening of the second Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theater in San Jose California on Kooser Rd on December 2nd 1978. Munch was described as "This purple pizza eater loves to pilfer and purloin from Pasqually's kitchen. He sings, laughs and scares people". A Portrait-Style Animatronic was created for the restaurant. The animatronic contained the ability to look left & right, Move his mouth, Put his arm out, & open the door(s).

Mr. Munch's personality was focused on his love of pizza in early showtapes to the point that he would mention it in every song. He generally didn't play much of a role aside from being another comic-relief character and he wouldn't really interact with the other members aside from the guest stars & Chuck himself. Not much changed during the pre-merger era.

Image of an early corporate only Mascot Costume.

Mr. Munch was voiced by Scott Wilson (Later voice of Chuck).

Post-Merger

After Showbiz Pizza Place bought the rights to the Chuck E. Cheese's IP, Mr. Munch was changed heavily alongside the rest of the cast. Munch would become a pizza loving, kind & well meaning, singer. Again, he didn't change much during the Post-Merger Era.

Munch's Make Believe Band

Concept Unification

The Concept Unification bot at Birmingham, AL in late 90's.

The post-CU Cyberamic bot. Added piano mechanisms.

During the Late 80's to early 90's, after a fallout with RAE owner Aaron Fechter, all Showbiz Pizza Places would be rebranded to Chuck E. Cheese's Pizzas in a remodel called "Concept Unification". In this stage, all Fatz Geronimo animatronics would be retrofitted into Mr. Munch Animatronics. This would drastically change the way Munch would be used in showtapes as he was now the lead pianist & lead band member of the newly rebranded "Munch's Make Believe Band & Chuck E. Cheese". Mr. Munch's actor would be changed to Duncan Brannan. Munch would become more of a pizza loving, piano playing, kind guy instead of his dim witted original personality. He would be given a red, blue, orange, & yellow keyboard. He also has a green & white hat. His eyes would become green.

A later version of the Cyberamic bots would be created for the Road Stage with Keyboard mechanics.

Avenger Era

As the 2000's rolled around, Corporate Showbiz Pizza Time would decide to rebrand the characters, which included Munch, changing them to new "Avenger" designs. Munch's personality would not change though. Munch's hat was removed during this time. Munch also gained a shirt. Munch's voice actor became John Bowen.

Rockstar Era

During 2012, CEC corporate was trying to get money back, one of the planned initiatives for this was the changing of the Avenger designs to the new "Rockstar" designs. Oddly, Munch wouldn't change much during this era, he did get a new actor in 2014, which was Chris Hill. Munch was given a new Orange & Purple "M" Shirt. He is from Planet Purple.

Mr. Munch in other CEC Media

Rat Tales

Mr. Munch would appear in the official Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theater comic "Rat Tales" in 1979. He is from a mysterious Pizza planet & speaks an unknown language. He helps Chuck & Jasper stop the arcade machine from taking over the Chuck E. Cheese's.

Chuck E. Cheese In The Galaxy 5000

Mr. Munch would appear in the official CEC movie "Chuck E. Cheese In The Galaxy 5000". He would use his Avenger era personality & Design. He would help Chuck E. & the gang beat the "X-Pilots" in the Race to get the money to help Charlie Rockit. he was voiced by Chris Sabat.

Animatronics

Animatronics

Types	Years Produced	Notes	Whereabouts/Status	Image
Kooser Mr. Munch (Animatronic)	1978	Little Information known about. used at the Kooser location from Dec. 1978 to 1980.	Destroyed or Trashed. Unknown
Mr. Munch (Cyberamic)	1979-2000's? or 1990's?	2 Variants. Keyboard Version & PTT Version.	Keyboard versions are still at several CEC locations. PTT versions owned by several collectors.	-Keyboard Version
Fatz Geronimo (Animatronic)	1980-1988.	Retrofitted. Latex Masks where eventually replaced with Plastic Masks. Made By Creative Engineering.	6 remaining public appearances. Several Private & Public non CU animatronics. a Animatronic at the CEC HQ.
Sun (Animatronic), Moon (Animatronic), Choo Choo (Animatronic), Looney Bird (Animatronic)	1980-1988	Retrofitted. Scrapped.	Concept Unification Prototype Stage	No Image Avaliable.

References

1. https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/promo/ptt/ptt_78kooser.pdf