uWink, Inc. (stock symbol: UWKI) was a publicly traded digital entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California, USA. 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 years[1] in 2006 the company changed focus to their uWink Bistro concept, which it describes as an "entertainment dining experience which leverages its proprietary network and entertainment software, including the uWink Game Library".[2]
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uWink Bistros have a touchscreen video terminal at each table. Patrons complete their order through the video screen without the assistance of wait staff, and it is then transmitted to the kitchen. The interactive kiosks allow patrons to view ingredients and nutritional information for each entree, and support 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 viewing 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.
On June 11, 2007, uWink announced its first franchise locations would be opened in the Miami, Florida area via an agreement with OCC Partners, LLC.[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.[12] Their first bistro was expected to open in Canada by early spring 2008.
During February, 2009, uWink delisted itself from the NASDAQ.[13][14]
During April, 2009, uWink closed its third restaurant in Mountain View, California. uWink blamed the closure on the location's high rent and general difficulties in the United States economy. Two restaurants in southern California remained open.[15]
In January, 2010, uWink closed its first restaurant in Woodland Hills, California.[3]
On September 12th, 2010, uWink announced that they were closing all their stores and would be selling their computer services to other food establishments under the name Tapcode.