Chuck E. Cheese, With 15 GA Locations, Files For Bankruptcy

GEORGIA — The fate of Chuck E. Cheese's 15 Georgia locations is uncertain after the parent company of the popular children's-themed restaurant filed for bankruptcy on Thursday.

Texas -based CEC Entertainment said it expects to continue operations throughout bankruptcy proceedings as it gradually reopens its restaurants that were closed because of the coronavirus outbreak. Company officials said they planned to have "critical conversations" with financial stakeholders and landlords to craft a long-term plan for the company.

"The Chapter 11 process will allow us to strengthen our financial structure as we recover from what has undoubtedly been the most challenging event in our company's history and get back to the business of delivering memories, entertainment, and pizzas for another 40 years and beyond," David McKillips, CEC Entertainment CEO, said in a news release.

Chuck E. Cheese, which opened in 1977, serves pizza, complemented by arcade games, amusement rides and animatronic displays with a focus on family entertainment.

Chuck E. Cheese is among several companies to forced to declare bankruptcy because of the outbreak. Others include J.C. Penney, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus and Hertz.

Here are Chuck E. Cheese's locations in Georgia:

• Albany
• Alpharetta
• Athens
• Atlanta
• Augusta
• Buford
• Columbus
• Conyers
• Douglasville
• Fayetteville
• Jonesboro
• Kennesaw
• Macon
• Norcross
• Savannah

Chuck E. Cheese is part of a growing list of brick-and-mortar establishments that have seen a nosedive in revenue and popularity with the emergence of e-commerce companies such as Amazon and Walmart.

In the past six months Macy's said it plans to close 125 stores over the next three years, while two GAP stores closed at the Avenue West Cobb, 3625 Dallas Highway in Marietta; and Oglethorpe Mall, 7804 Abercorn St. in Savannah.

Other chains that are closing all or some of their stores include Pier 1 Imports, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sears, Kmart, Motherhood Maternity, Dressbarn and more.

Pier 1 closed half of its stores to "better align its business with the current operating environment." Eleven Georgia stores, including two in Atlanta, one in Decatur, one in Marietta and one in Douglasville, were removed from the chain's website.

A record 9,300-plus store closings were announced in 2019, and that number could be even higher in 2020, according to a report by Business Insider.

Related:

• Macy's To Close 125 Locations; Georgia Stores Among Threatened
• J.Crew, Which Has 4 Stores In GA, Files For Bankruptcy
• Georgia Chain Stores That Closed Their Doors In 2019