UWink
| File:UWink.png | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Template:Nasdaq | |
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Founder | Nolan Bushnell |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Number of locations | 3 (2008) |
Area served | California |
uWink, Inc. (NASDAQ: UWKI) operated as a publicly held firm specializing in digital entertainment, with its main office situated in Los Angeles, California. Established in 2000 by Nolan Bushnell—renowned as the co-founder and former CEO of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese—the company initially focused on creating interactive entertainment solutions for venues such as restaurants, bars, and mobile platforms. By 2006, uWink shifted its strategy toward launching the uWink Bistro, an innovative "entertainment dining experience" that incorporated its exclusive network technology and software, including the proprietary uWink Game Library.
The company's initial public offering debuted at $4.75 per share on July 31, 2007; nevertheless, by December 2012, its stock value had declined to under one cent.
Locations, expansions, and closures
- Woodland Hills, California: This location began operations on October 16, 2006, at Westfield Promenade but ceased business in January 2010. It garnered reviews ranging from mixed to positive.
- Hollywood and Highland Center, Hollywood, California: Opened doors on June 27, 2008, and closed on September 12, 2010.
- Mountain View, California: Launched on September 15, 2008, occupying the former California Roadhouse premises; closed April 21, 2009 due to elevated rent costs and economic pressures.
In June 2007, uWink disclosed agreements to develop franchises for up to three sites within Miami-Dade County through OCC Partners, LLC. Shortly thereafter, the company entered into a joint venture with venture capital firm Jefferson Partners aimed at entering the Canadian market with plans for a launch in early 2008.
Confronted with financial challenges during the economic downturn, uWink was removed from NASDAQ trading in February 2009. Subsequently, its Mountain View location closed by April 2009; Woodland Hills followed in January 2010. On September 12, 2010, uWink terminated all restaurant operations and redirected its efforts toward marketing its computer services to other dining establishments under the Tapcode brand.
Legacy
An unreleased model known as the uWink Eyecom is currently preserved at The Centre for Computing History located in Cambridge, UK.
External links
- uWink Bistro Detailed Report – The Stinger Report