Dive Brief:

• CEC Entertainment, parent company of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, appointed Scott Drake as executive vice president and CFO, the company said in a Monday press release. 
• Drake, who previously worked as CFO and treasurer at Farmer Bros, has more than three decades of “experience in financially led transformational roles impacting operations, franchising international licensing, store unit growth and venue-level revenue management.”
• CEC Entertainment also promoted three executives to new leadership positions across its operations and legal divisions.

Dive Insight:

CEC Entertainment has been growing into new markets of late, expanding its global footprint into various new markets including Australia, Suriname, the Dominican Republic, Qatar and Guyana within the past few years.

CEC has also been growing its Peter Piper Pizza brand with additional fast casual units. The company has been opening more Trampoline Zones within Chuck E Cheese restaurants, as well, expanding into 100 fun centers as of February and undergoing a remodel program. Drake, as well as additional executive appointments, will continue to support this growth. 

Drake will be responsible for building a new revenue management system and team, and will manage financial functions, internal audit and real estate development. 

“Scott’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment as our business is rapidly changing with more competition, higher costs, the need for more real-time insights and effective revenue management,” said David McKillips, president and CEO of CEC Entertainment. “I am confident and excited to see us execute on our plans this year and know we’re poised for another strong year of growth with the right leaders in place.”

Drake’s experience includes a five-year stint at GameStop as SVP of finance and treasurer. He has also worked a at 7-Eleven, PWC, Coca-Cola Enterprises, La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe and Arthur Anderson. 

Antonio Barron, who has been with CEC for nearly a decade, was promoted to vice president of purchasing and games for Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza, “consolidating departments to accelerate game revenues and save costs,” the company said. Barron replaces Mike Johnson, who is retiring from his leadership role in the purchasing department. Barron oversaw innovation and the brand’s new active-play and entertainment installation strategies. 

Justin Lee has become vice president, construction, design and facilities after leading the company’s national remodel program. He has also helped reduce construction costs through value engineering efforts, the company said. Lee and Barron will continue to report to COO Randy Forsythe.

David Deck, who has been with CEC for 25 years, has been promoted to executive vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer. Deck has previously led the company’s legal, franchising and licensing efforts. He is considered “an expert in safety and security within the ever-changing family entertainment business,” the company said.