CEC Entertainment, parent of Chuck E. Cheese, files for bankruptcy protection under coronavirus’ strain

As hundreds of Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza locations work to reopen across the country, parent company CEC Entertainment Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The Irving, Texas-based arcade and pizza restaurant chain — and 16 affiliates — filed for bankruptcy June 24 and 25 in the Southern District of Texas in Houston. As of March 29, the company claimed nearly $2 billion in debts and more than $1.74 billion in assets, according to the main bankruptcy petition. Franchises…