Namco Plans New Restaurant-Arcade Chain

WOOD DALE, IL -- Namco Entertainment is planning an international chain of upscale restaurant-arcades, according to executive vice-president and chief operating officer David Bishop.

Speaking to Polygon.com, Bishop said Namco is working with an established Kansas City restaurateur on the concept. A prototype location could open in Greater Chicago, Bishop said. No launch date has been set, but the company hopes to make an announcement soon.

Bishop said Namco's 1999 Pac-Man Café in the XS Orlando facility failed but taught the company some valuable lessons.

Namco operates some 20,000 games, rides and attractions across 500 locations in North America and the Caribbean.