Chuck E. Cheese: Closed For Good Or Coming Back?

Chuck E. Cheese, the entertainment restaurant chain, has been facing financial troubles, with the closure of several locations across the US. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and plans to close about 34 locations, in addition to 11 that had already shut down before the pandemic. The parent company, CEC Entertainment, has cited lease expiration and unfavourable lease terms as reasons for the closures, and aims to shed debt and emerge as a more sustainable operation.

Chuck E. Cheese closed 10 locations in 2024

The 10 locations that closed in 2024 were: Arlington, Texas; Fargo, North Dakota; Bridgewater, New Jersey; Monroeville, Pennsylvania; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Joplin, Missouri; Hagerstown, Maryland; Davenport, Iowa; Port Orange, Florida; and Gun Hill, New York.

In a statement, a Chuck E. Cheese spokesperson said:

> We are always evaluating our real estate and development strategies to ensure these align with our strategic goals. We made the difficult decision to close but we will continue to seek new opportunities for families to enjoy Chuck E. Cheese and remain committed to delivering fun, family-friendly experiences across all our locations and appreciate the ongoing support from our communities.

The company has nearly 600 locations worldwide and is the parent company of Peter Piper Pizza and Pasqually's Pizza & Wings.

The Berks County location closed in September 2024

Chuck E. Cheese, the American entertainment restaurant chain, has been facing financial struggles since the COVID-19 pandemic. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2025 and announced plans to close about 34 locations. This is not the first time the company has faced financial troubles, having been in and out of bankruptcy since COVID-19.

The Berks County closure is part of a broader trend of Chuck E. Cheese locations shutting down across the United States. In a comment on a Reddit post discussing the closures, a user mentions that their local CEC in Joplin, MO, had closed, and another user expresses concern about the potential closure of the Omaha location, which would leave Nebraska without a Chuck E. Cheese.

The financial struggles of the company have been attributed to various factors, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the temporary closure of venues and a loss of over 90% of revenue. The company also struggled with unfavourable lease terms and staffing issues, which contributed to the decision to close specific locations.

Despite the closures, Chuck E. Cheese remains committed to delivering fun, family-friendly experiences and continues to seek new opportunities to serve its customers.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025

Chuck E. Cheese's parent company, CEC Entertainment, has been in and out of bankruptcy since COVID-19. In 2024, the company closed around 10 locations, including in Arlington, Texas; Fargo, North Dakota; Bridgewater, New Jersey; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In 2025, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code generally provides for reorganization, allowing a debtor to restructure its business affairs, debts, and assets while continuing operations. The goal is to maximize the amount paid to creditors.

Upon filing for Chapter 11, the business becomes known as the "debtor," and any entities owed money become "creditors." The debtor can file a voluntary petition or, in some cases, creditors can file an involuntary petition to initiate bankruptcy proceedings.

During Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the debtor typically maintains control of their operations and decision-making, known as "debtor in possession." They have the rights and powers of a trustee and can employ resources to assist in developing a Plan of Reorganization, subject to court approval. The debtor in possession is responsible for accounting for all property, reviewing creditors' claims, filing required documentation, and ensuring company operations continue.

The bankruptcy process includes several steps such as obtaining legal representation, choosing a bankruptcy court to file in, and petition filing with the court. The automatic stay goes into effect, preventing creditors from pursuing collections, judgments, foreclosures, or repossessions during the bankruptcy case.

The debtor then works on stabilizing its operations and developing a Plan of Reorganization, which outlines how it will restructure its business and pay off debts. The plan is submitted to the court for approval, and creditors can vote on it. If the plan is approved, the debtor can begin implementing its restructuring efforts.

While Chapter 11 bankruptcy offers a chance for reorganization, it is not always successful. In some cases, the outcome may be the sale of the business or conversion to Chapter 7 liquidation.

Locations closed due to unfavourable lease terms

Several Chuck E. Cheese locations have closed due to unfavourable lease terms. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is seeking to shed debt and emerge as a more sustainable operation. In a court filing, the company listed approximately 45 leases it intends to reject, including five in California, four in Florida, four in Massachusetts, three in Ohio, and three in Oklahoma. The list also included 11 locations that had already permanently closed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

One example of a location closed due to unfavourable lease terms is the Berks County location in Spring Township, Pennsylvania. A spokesperson for Chuck E. Cheese confirmed that the location closed on September 15, 2024, due to "lease expiration terms." Employees at this location were offered positions at other Chuck E. Cheese locations.

Another possible example is the Chuck E. Cheese location in Long Beach, California, which appears to be closed as of October 2024. However, it is unclear whether unfavourable lease terms specifically led to this closure.

The closure of these locations is part of a broader trend of store closures by Chuck E. Cheese. The company has closed or plans to close approximately 34 locations that were open before the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these closures, Chuck E. Cheese continues to operate nearly 600 locations worldwide and has opened new locations in recent years.

The Long Beach, California location closed in 2024

The Long Beach, California location of Chuck E. Cheese has closed its doors, marking the end of a nearly seven-year run. The closure, which took place in 2024, is part of a larger trend of shutdowns across the company, with more than 25 locations shutting down. The company has faced challenges since the COVID pandemic, dealing with economic downturns, protests, and looting in Downtown Long Beach.

The Long Beach location, situated in the Downtown complex known as The Streets, had a controversial start. Its construction in 2013 led to the displacement of three local restaurants—Fresh Kabobs, Milana's New York Pizzeria, and Mitaki Restaurant. These businesses had to wait for formal relocation following public outcry. The massive 16,700-square-foot space that once housed a Hometown Buffet will now have an uncertain future.

The financial struggles of the company are evident as they have been in and out of bankruptcy since the pandemic. The owner has sought advice on how to navigate these challenging times. The closure of the Long Beach location is indicative of the broader issues the company is facing.

The impact of the closure extends beyond the business, as families in the area lose a familiar spot for entertainment and dining. Employees at the Long Beach location also faced uncertainty, although it is unclear if they were offered positions at other Chuck E. Cheese locations.

The Long Beach, California closure in 2024 is a significant event in the history of Chuck E. Cheese, reflecting the challenges faced by the company in a rapidly changing economic landscape. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the company and its remaining locations.

Frequently asked questions