EAST HANOVER — It appears the popular children’s restaurant chain, Chuck E. Cheese, maybe the latest business to close its doors permanently as a result of financial struggles amid the coronavirus pandemic. CEC Entertainment, the Texas-based company that runs 527 locations in 47 states, is nearly $1 billion in debt, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Chuck E. Cheese, known for hosting children’s birthday parties, had to close all of its stores in March when the pandemic struck. According to the Journal, it stopped making its monthly rent payments, furloughed most hourly employees, and about two-thirds of all its support staff.
Chuck E. Cheese is located at 145 Route 10.
There are currently 13 Chuck E. Cheese locations in New Jersey, including East Hanover, Wayne, Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Edison, Jersey City, Mays Landing, Middletown, North Bergen, Paramus, and Princeton.
Chuck E. Cheese, which opened in 1977, serves pizza, complemented by arcade games, amusement rides, and animatronic displays with a focus on family entertainment.
