Chuck E. Cheese's Covid Protocols And Opening Hours

The COVID-19 pandemic was financially damaging to Chuck E. Cheese's parent company, CEC Entertainment. In June 2020, CEC Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and emerged from bankruptcy later that year with new leadership and freed from about $705 million in debt. The company has since bounced back, with eight straight months of same-store sales growth and a dramatic makeover to introduce its games and pizza to a new generation.

Chuck E. Cheese filed for bankruptcy in 2020 due to the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted many businesses, including Chuck E. Cheese. In June 2020, as some states began lifting their pandemic lockdowns, the popular family entertainment chain's parent company, CEC Entertainment, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This move allowed CEC Entertainment to reorganize its finances and emerge from bankruptcy a few months later with new leadership and significantly less debt. The pandemic was not the sole factor in Chuck E. Cheese's bankruptcy, as the rise of iPads and smartphones had already presented a challenge in attracting children and their parents before COVID-19.

The pandemic's timing was unfortunate for Chuck E. Cheese, as it occurred just months after Dave McKillips, a former Six Flags executive, joined the company as its new CEO in January 2020. The lockdowns temporarily shuttered all of the chain's locations, and by April 2021, the company had raised $650 million in bonds to fund its restaurants.

The bankruptcy filing allowed CEC Entertainment to eliminate about $705 million in debt. As of 2025, the company has reported eight consecutive months of same-store sales growth and is no longer in debt, according to CEO Dave McKillips. The company's annual revenue grew from $912 million in 2019 to approximately $1.2 billion in 2023, despite having fewer open locations.

To turn the business around, Chuck E. Cheese introduced several changes, including removing the iconic animatronics, adding trampolines (which cost extra), revamping its menu with scratch-made pizzas, and forming partnerships with kid-friendly brands like Paw Patrol, Marvel, and Nickelodeon for its games. Additionally, they launched a subscription service with different tiers offering unlimited visits and discounts. These changes have helped Chuck E. Cheese make a comeback and reconnect with a new generation of children and parents.

The chain's sales were up in 2019 but began to fall in February 2020

Chuck E. Cheese, the American entertainment restaurant chain, has had a turbulent few years, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing financial strain on the company.

The chain's sales were up in 2019, but began to fall in February 2020, and the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2020. The pandemic hit the company hard, with an estimated $1-2 billion in debt, and the possibility of all CEC Entertainment properties having to close if bankruptcy refinancing failed.

The company's financial woes were not a new phenomenon, however. The chain has a long history of financial troubles, dating back to its early days. Founded in 1977, Chuck E. Cheese was the first family restaurant to integrate food with arcade games and animated entertainment, pioneering the "family entertainment centre" concept. However, despite its initial success, the company filed for bankruptcy in 1984 due to declining revenues and the video game market crash. The chain was acquired by Brock Hotel Corporation, the parent company of competitor ShowBiz Pizza Place, and underwent a merger and rebranding.

In the following decades, Chuck E. Cheese continued to struggle financially, with decreasing revenues and debt. In 2012, CEC ran a rebranding campaign, changing the mascot to a slimmer rock star mouse and targeting a younger audience. In 2014, Apollo Global Management acquired CEC Entertainment, and the company continued to make acquisitions and expand internationally. However, despite these efforts, financial troubles persisted.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the company's existing financial issues, and in 2020, CEC Entertainment filed for bankruptcy protection and emerged from it in 2021 under new ownership. Since then, the company has made several changes, including hiring new executives, launching new menus and locations, and forming partnerships.

While the chain has faced numerous challenges, it has also demonstrated resilience and adaptability. The company's efforts to modernise and appeal to a wider audience may help secure its future, but only time will tell if these changes will be enough to sustain the business in the long run.

Some locations offered food delivery under the alias Pasqually's Pizza & Wings

Some Chuck E. Cheese locations offered food delivery under the alias Pasqually's Pizza & Wings. Pasqually's Pizza & Wings is owned and operated by CEC Entertainment, LLC, which is also the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese. Pasqually's Pizza & Wings offers a variety of pizzas, wings, salads, sides, and desserts for delivery.

Their menu includes signature 14" pizzas with a range of toppings, including pepperoni, sausage, ham, beef, bacon, black olives, mushrooms, and more. They also offer create-your-own pizzas with a choice of toppings and drizzle duos. In addition to pizzas, Pasqually's Pizza & Wings serves wings in several flavors, such as Buffalo BBQ, Homestyle BBQ, Louisiana Honey Hot, and Spicy Korean BBQ. They also have options like Meatball Dunkers, Saucy Meatballs, and Meatball Pizza.

Pasqually's Pizza & Wings also offers sides such as cheesy bread, salads, and desserts like a brownie-cookie combination. Customers can also order beverages like Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Mountain Dew. The menu items are designed to be easily shared and enjoyed by groups, making it a convenient option for movie nights or gatherings with friends and family.

By operating under the alias Pasqually's Pizza & Wings, some Chuck E. Cheese locations were able to continue serving their customers and adapt to the changing dining preferences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed them to reach a wider audience and provide a delivery option for those seeking a convenient and tasty meal. Pasqually's Pizza & Wings combines fresh ingredients and bold flavors to create a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

Chuck E. Cheese sued to stop a Dallas landlord from evicting them

In May 2020, CEC Entertainment Inc., doing business as Chuck E. Cheese, sued to stop a Dallas landlord from evicting them. The entertainment restaurant chain filed a petition in a Dallas County district court to prevent landlord TX Dallas Midtown LP from ending its lease and evicting the restaurant from a location in the mixed-use Midtown development.

CEC had originally asked for a rent abatement in mid-March 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on their business due to their reliance on in-person, interactive experiences. However, they paid their April rent in full. In response to the abatement request, Dallas Midtown proposed a lease amendment that gave them the authority to terminate the lease at any time, which CEC rejected. Despite this, Dallas Midtown moved forward with the eviction process, claiming that CEC had defaulted on the rent payment.

CEC argued that the notice of default was invalid under the lease agreement, as it was not sent to the company's real estate department and did not mention the 10-day period allowed for rent payment. They further claimed that they had paid the rent in full by April 22 and provided proof of payment to Dallas Midtown. Despite this, Dallas Midtown sent a three-day notice to vacate in May.

CEC filed a petition in state court, seeking a declaratory judgment that they had satisfied the default payment, that Dallas Midtown's notice letters were invalid, and that the attempted eviction was a breach of contract. They are also seeking unspecified damages and attorney fees.

This legal battle occurred during a challenging time for Chuck E. Cheese, as their parent company, CEC Entertainment, had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2020 due to the pandemic. However, they emerged from bankruptcy with new leadership and freed from about $705 million in debt.

Chuck E. Cheese employees' thoughts on leadership during the pandemic

One employee, a Night Guard in Hurricane, Utah, expressed frustration in January 2022 that no roles could be performed remotely, leaving all employees with no choice but to work onsite. This was particularly concerning given that another employee, a Birthdays and Cashier staffer in Bradenton, Florida, reported in September 2021 that mask mandates were not being properly enforced.

The pandemic hit the company hard, with parent company CEC Entertainment filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2020. This resulted in a leadership change and the shedding of $705 million in debt. Under new leadership, the company pivoted to focus on attracting a new generation of children and their parents, who were now accustomed to iPads and smartphones. This included introducing trampolines, revamping the menu, and partnering with popular children's brands like Paw Patrol, Marvel, and Nickelodeon.

CEO Dave McKillips, who joined the company in January 2020, just before the pandemic hit, acknowledged the challenges of the pandemic, saying, "We had to go and speak to a whole new generation of kids, and we were off-air during Covid. We had to build all that." Despite these difficulties, the company's efforts appear to have paid off, with eight straight months of same-store sales growth and a return to pre-pandemic levels for its once-struggling birthday business.

McKillips also oversaw a significant remodelling of Chuck E. Cheese locations, removing the animatronics, SkyTube tunnels, and physical tickets in favour of trampolines, a mobile app, and floor-to-ceiling JumboTrons. This remodelling cost $230 million and was completed by December 2024, with 450 locations featuring kid-sized trampolines. The company also introduced a subscription program with tiered pricing, offering unlimited visits and discounts. This program proved successful, with nearly 400,000 passes sold in 2024, up from 79,000 in 2023.

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