Chuck E. Cheese reigned as a favorite for kids birthday parties for over 40 years. But in June 2020, it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is reopening restaurants after nationwide closures in an attempt to entice families back. While indirect rivals such as Domino's and Papa John's have managed to recover some of their business, Chuck E. Cheese's struggles may be more than it can handle, as it tries to regain its footing in an industry ravaged by the pandemic.
»Subscribe to CNBC: cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
» Subscribe to CNBC Classic: cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCclassic
About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.
Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Twitter: cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
#CNBC
Can Chuck E. Cheese Survive Bankruptcy?
In June 2020, Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company CEC Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after venue closures stemming from the coronavirus pandemic roiled its business.
The company, which is owned by private equity firm Apollo Global Management, expects to continue operations through bankruptcy and will continue to reopen locations that were temporarily shuttered during the pandemic. It has already reopened nearly half of company-owned Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza locations as of Wednesday.
For the quarter ended March 29, CEC Entertainment estimated its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization was $39 million to $43 million. Same-store sales during the period, which is typically its busiest time of the year, fell 21.9%. In a regulatory filing from early April, the company said it was not paying rent.
CEC Entertainment said it expects to use the Chapter 11 bankruptcy to continue discussions with financial stakeholders and landlords to restructure its balance sheet to support its reopening efforts and long-term strategy. Wilmington Trust is its largest creditor.
The Wall Street Journal reported earlier in June that potential buyers were circling the company as it struggled to keep its business afloat. Last year, the company announced a merger with a special purpose acquisition company that would take it public, but the deal collapsed. Apollo bought CEC Entertainment in 2014 in a $948 million deal that took it private.
CEC Entertainment is the latest company to cite the pandemic as it seeks bankruptcy protection. It joins rental car company Hertz and retailers, including J.Crew, Neiman Marcus and J.C. Penney.