About
Nolan Bushnell is an American businessman and electrical engineer, widely regarded as a pioneer in the video game industry. He is best known for founding Atari, Inc., and the Chuck E. Cheese chain of restaurants. Bushnell has been inducted into several halls of fame and received numerous awards for his contributions to technology and entertainment. He has started over 20 companies and remains an active figure in the entrepreneurial world.
Career Timeline
Atari Founded
Co-founded Atari, Inc., pioneering the video game industry with Pong.
Chuck E. Cheese Founded
Founded Chuck E. Cheese, combining pizza with arcade games and animatronic entertainment.
Sells Atari
Sold Atari to Warner Communications.
Sells Chuck E. Cheese
Left active role at Chuck E. Cheese (then known as Pizza Time Theater)
BrainRush Launched
Launched BrainRush, an educational video game company.
Entrepreneurial Consultant
Continues to consult and mentor startups, sharing his entrepreneurial experience.
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Last updated: February 25, 2026