Pinstripes shutters 10 locations as bankruptcy restructuring accelerates

Pinstripes, the bowling- and bocce-focused entertainment venue with an Italian-inspired menu, permanently closed 10 locations across seven states on Sept. 8 as part of its bankruptcy proceedings, adding a fresh setback to a chain that had been pursuing a turnaround since mid-year. The company filed for bankruptcy protection in June to slash costs and stabilize the business, with the closures described as a necessary step to strengthen its financial foundation and position the company for long-term growth.

The company said the decision to shutter locations will allow it to operate normally while continuing to serve customers, work with partners and support its team members. It also said there is a committed buyer for eight remaining Pinstripes locations, though it did not disclose the buyer’s identity. The closures span Florida and six other states, including Kansas, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut and California.

The shuttered venues are part of a broader push to streamline the business after Pinstripes had been expanding rapidly. The chain, which mixes bowling lanes, bocce courts and a bistro-style menu, had previously touted ambitions to grow to about 100 locations. Before its decline, Pinstripes counted high-profile patrons among its celebrity fans and hosted events in multiple markets, including a Kansas City location that hosted the annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend.

Financial and corporate developments in recent years underscored the challenges the chain faced. Pinstripes was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange after failing to maintain a market capitalization threshold for 30 straight days, a move that followed months of financial strain including a reported 7.7 percent decline in sales in its most recent earnings period. The company had secured $7.5 million in financing after the delisting, while issuing substantial equity to investors. Pinstripes had leaned into the eatertainment concept, combining mid-tier dining with physical activities, but the model had encountered difficulties in sustaining profitability across its portfolio.

As of the closing round, the remaining Pinstripes locations are reported to be located in Maryland, Ohio, Minnesota, the District of Columbia, Illinois and California, with the company continuing to operate in those markets while it negotiates the future of the business. The closures come as larger entertainment and family-dining brands recalibrate their strategies, with other chains in the sector exploring new formats and age-focused experiences to broaden appeal. In a related industry note, Chuck E. Cheese recently opened a tranche of adult-focused venues under the new Chuck's Arcade concept, a move that drew mixed reactions on social media as observers debated whether the chain should remain kid-centric or expand into broader entertainment for adults.

The Pinstripes developments illustrate the broader pressures facing mid-market entertainment concepts that pair casual dining with recreational activities. Industry observers say the outcome for Pinstripes will hinge on how effectively the remaining locations can be stabilized under new ownership and how the brand can differentiate itself in a crowded market for dining-and-entertainment experiences.