UWink

uWink, Inc. (stock symbol: UWKI) is a publicly-traded digital entertainment company based out of Los Angeles, California. Currently the company has three locations in California. The company was founded in 2000 by Nolan Bushnell, the co-founder and former CEO of both Atari and Chuck E. Cheese. After little success developing interactive entertainment for restaurants, bars and mobile devices for several yearscite web|title = uWink website archive from 2002.|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20011024005549/uwink.com/index.shtml|accessdate = 2007-05-02 ] the company changed focus to their uWink Bistro concept in 2006, which is described as an "entertainment dining experience which leverages its proprietary network and entertainment software, including the uWink Game Library". [http://www.uwink.com/about About uWink] ]

Bistros

uWink Bistros have a touchscreen video terminal at each table. Patrons complete their order through the video screen without the assistance of wait staff, which is then transmitted to the kitchen. The interactive kiosks allow patrons to view the ingredients and nutritional information for each entree, and supports customization in both food and drink orders.

While waiting for their food, patrons have the option of playing social games (aimed at engaging a group of customers at a table) or view movie trailers, music videos, horoscopes, celebrity gossip and comedy skits. Games include "challenge games" such as "Zillionaire" (a trivia game similar to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?") as well as multi-player games such as Pong-style games that groups can play away from their tables while they are awaiting their orders.

Locations and expansion

* Woodland Hills, California, opened on October 16, 2006 in Westfield Promenadecite web|title = uWink Announces Opening of First Resteraunt|url=http://beta.uwink.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=118|accessdate = 2007-05-10] and has received mixed to favorable reviewscite web|title=First (Or Close To It) uWink Restaurant Review|url=http://kotaku.com/gaming/top/first-or-close-to-it-uwink-restaurant-review-208033.php|accessdate=2007-10-24] cite web|title=It's all about 'u' at interactive eatery uWink|url=http://www.dailynews.com/dining/ci_4593983|accessdate=2008-03-17] .

* Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, California, opened on June 27, 2008cite web|title=uWink Inc - uWink Hollywood Brings New Level of Food and Fun to Hollywood and Highland Entertainment Complex|url=http://www.uwink.com/content/view/252/333/|accessdate=2008-07-11]

* Mountain View, California, opened on October 25, 2007, uWink announced it had acquired a currently operating restaurant, and planned to convert the approximately 7,000 square foot location to the uWink concept and open to the public by early 2008.cite web|title=uWink to open in Silicon Valley|url=http://www.uwink.com/content/view/178/84/|accessdate = 2008-03-26] The restaurant, formerly the California Roadhouse, is located at 401 Castro Street.cite web|url=http://www.uwink.com/mvca|title=uWink Inc - Mountain View Homepage|author=uWink Inc|accessdate=28-07-2008]

On June 11, 2007, uWink announced its first franchise locations will be opened in the Miami, Florida area via an agreement with OCC Partners, LLC.cite web| title = uWink Announces First Franchise Area Development Agreement| url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070611/20070611005404.html?.v=1| accessdate = 2007-06-11] Under the Area Development Agreement, up to three franchised uWink restaurants are to be built in the Miami-Dade county area over the next four years.

On June 25, 2007, uWink announced its first joint venture with venture capital firm Jefferson Partners to open uWink locations in Canada.cite web| title = uWink Announces Plans for Canadian Restaurant Joint Venture| url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070625/20070625005602.html?.v=1|accessdate = 2007-07-01] Their first bistro is expected to open in Canada by early spring 2008.

References

External links

* [http://www.uwink.com uWink Official website]
* [http://blog.uwink.com Official uWink Bistro Blog]
* [http://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/070218/26eespotlight.htm "Moving Beyond Pong and Pizza"] - U.S. News & World Report
* [http://www.thestingerreport.com/article_015.htm uWink Bistro Detailed Report] - The Stinger Report