Chuck E. Cheese CEO David McKillips Resigns After Epstein Files Mentions

David McKillips served as President and CEO of CEC Entertainment (parent company of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza) from January 2020 until early February 2026 when the Epstein Files were released.

He stepped down after approximately six years in the role, during which he oversaw post-pandemic recovery, operational transformations, brand refreshes (including adding trampolines, obstacle courses, and digital elements), and sustained growth for the family entertainment chain.

David McKillips brought nearly 30 years of experience in family entertainment and theme parks, including prior leadership roles at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.

On February 3, 2026, the company announced that CFO Scott Drake, who joined in 2024, would succeed him as president and CEO effective February 13, 2026.

McKillips appears in recently released Epstein-related documents from the U.S. Department of Justice (part of larger 2025-2026 document batches) in a peripheral manner. His name shows up on a list of potential speakers or contacts that was emailed to Jeffrey Epstein.

The reference stems from McKillips’ earlier position as President of International Development at Six Flags, where he focused on expanding amusement parks and family entertainment centers into markets like the Middle East (including Saudi Arabia and other regions).

The specific context involves a conference—likely tied to the Future Investment Initiative (FII) or a similar high-profile investment/event series—where McKillips was considered or listed as a speaker to promote Six Flags’ international growth plans. During his Six Flags tenure, he worked on projects in emerging markets and held roles overseeing park operations, food & beverage, retail, and procurement across U.S. parks before shifting to international development. Epstein’s inclusion on the email distribution list may reflect his status as a client or contact of the organizing firm or event planners at the time, rather than any targeted association with McKillips or Six Flags specifically. No evidence from public reports or the documents themselves links McKillips to Epstein socially, financially, or criminally.

Social media posts (on Instagram, Reddit, Threads, and YouTube) in early February 2026 speculated that McKillips’ resignation was connected to the document mentions, often amplifying conspiracy angles due to Chuck E. Cheese’s focus on children’s birthday parties and pizza.

However, the timing appears coincidental with the planned leadership transition announced by the company, and mainstream coverage of the CEO change frames it as a standard succession amid ongoing expansion efforts. Being named in Epstein files (which contain millions of pages mentioning thousands of individuals in varying contexts) does not imply wrongdoing; many names appear in emails, flight logs, or contact lists without further allegations. No credible sources have reported any investigation, accusation, or substantiated link involving McKillips beyond this single list mention.

This appears in a document (DataSet 11, file EFTA02603142.pdf) described in online discussions as a list of speakers or invitees related to a conference or promotional event. There is no indication of direct personal meetings, business dealings, travel, or any involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities.