Shaffer Distributing just announced Andy Howren as their new sales consultant, bringing with him more than 15 years of sales and business development experience. Based in the St. Louis office, the company says Howren has spent the last 12 years working in the technology and hospitality industries and “brings a great combination of sales experience, enthusiasm and a customer-first approach that makes him a perfect fit for the Shaffer sales team.” He can be reached at [email protected].

After a merger with publicly-traded Leo Holdings, Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company CEC Entertainment is returning to the New York Stock Exchange. Leo Holdings plans on changing its name to Chuck E. Cheese Brands. The company believes the valuation will be $1.4 billion. Private equity firm Apollo Global Management had purchased CEC in 2014 for $948 million. For fiscal year 2018, the company reported net sales of $896 million at its 750 venues across the Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza brands, according to CNBC. Chuck E. Cheese is also in the process of renovating its stores. The company…

Apple Industries is extending its donation offer to April 30. For every Face Place product sold, the company will give $1,000 to AMOA’s Coin-Op Cares Education & Charitable Foundation. The offer applies to purchases made by AMOA members only. Visit www.faceplacephoto.com or reach out directly at [email protected] for details.

The GameWorks Showdown tournament, expected to attract thousands of players at the company’s seven venues nationwide, will start May 12 and go through June 29, featuring one of the largest eSports competitions to date for the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate game. “The GameWorks Showdown competition features a large winners pool consisting of both cash and prizes valued at $25,000,” a recent press release reads. “This includes Alienware products, such as an Area 51M gaming laptop, culminating in a grand finals cash prize of $10,000.” Qualifier rounds will be at each GameWorks location on May 12, May 19, May 26 and…

New data compiled by Party Center Software in their recently-released second annual study shows key numbers that FECs might want to take a look at. The study aims to give a deeper understanding of customer behavior and fuel a business’s party booking strategy. According to the study, women booked 86.8 percent of all parties online while men were more inclined to book over the phone or in person. It also found that 4- to 6-year-olds were the largest “guest of honor” age group represented. Another notable tidbit: more than 20 percent of party hosts booked less than one week of…

While not RePlay Magazine affiliated, we still love this mural at Replay Beer and Bourbon, an arcade bar in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. The spray paint design was created by artists Amuse126 (@amuse.126 on Instagram) and Stuk One (@stuk.one). Learn more about the arcade bar, which has 18 vintage games, at www.replaylakeview.com. Or stop by for a brew or bourbon at 3439 N. Halsted St.

Applications to join IAAPA’s board of directors for 2020 are now available online. Open positions include facility member directors, a manufacturer and supplier member director, a past chair director, treasurer and a second vice chair. Board members must be currently employed by IAAPA-member companies that maintain their membership through the individual’s term on the board. Visit www.iaapa.org or click here to learn more about the open positions.

Hangar 38 has landed in Tallahassee, Fla. The 17,000-sq.-ft. bowling entertainment center has eight lanes of boutique bowling, more than 70 arcade games and a full restaurant. It had a soft opening April 8 and plans for a full grand opening ceremony on May 4. The venue got its name because it resembled an airplane hangar, according to the Tallahassee Democrat. Arcade games featured include LAI’s Virtual Rabbids, Bay Tek’s Connect 4 Hoops, pinball machines and dozens of other games. The website, though not yet online, will be available at www.thehangar38.com. Searching for “Hangar 38” on Facebook will also give…

James Farr has been appointed by Bandai Namco Amusement Europe as its sales and marketing manager, according to a recent press release. Farr has a background in the amusement industry, formerly working for Konami and at his father Terry Farr’s business, Cosmic Video Amusements. “I have grown up in this sector and I am still surrounded by it, as my family remains very much involved in operating,” he said. Farr will cover key markets throughout Europe, the Middle East and other regions. See the company online at www.bandainamco-am.co.uk.

Jersey Jack Pinball just announced its latest pinball game – a world of pure imagination in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Shipping this summer, the new machine has four flippers, six balls, seven magnets and all types of Wonka-related features: players will collect Wonka Bars, tour the factory, spell Scrumdiddlyumptous and so much more. A 7” “Wonkavision” LCD screen and 27” screen with interactive 3D animations showing scenes from the 1971 movie starring Gene Wilder are also prominently featured. “This is a dream theme designed by a dream team,” said Jack Guarnieri, founder of Jersey Jack Pinball. “It’s a…