Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Lucky Strike offers “courtesy discounts” to displaced Pinstripes event clients
- Former Pinstripes staff invited to apply for roles
- Pinstripes filed for Chapter 11 after shuttering 10 of its 18 locations
- Lucky Strike operates multiple entertainment brands including Bowlero, AMF & Bowlmor
In the wake of Pinstripes’ Chapter 11 filing, Lucky Strike Entertainment is throwing a spare to customers and employees impacted by the sudden closures of its competitor’s venues.
For individuals left without a place to host an event or unable to recover deposits, the Virginia-based entertainment center brand is offering “courtesy discounts” to relocate a celebration to one of its hundreds of locations across North America. Additionally, Lucky Strike will welcome former Pinstripes employees to explore new opportunities, the company said.
In a statement to NJBIZ, Lucky Strike Entertainment President Lev Ekster said, “Lucky Strike Entertainment is in the business of delivering memorable experiences for all of our guests and so we are particularly saddened to read about the circumstances surrounding the closures of numerous Pinstripes’ locations.”
“When we learned of all the countless clients who had their events displaced, cancelled or deposits withheld, an immediate decision was made to step up and try out best to make it right by offering courtesy discounts exclusively for those impacted. We hope that that will allow many of those events to go on at one of our 350 locations nationwide,” Ekster said.
He added, “We are also always on the lookout for talented individuals to build their careers with our company so we invite the affected former Pinstripes employees to apply for open roles onour career site.”
Knocked down
Amid growing debt and declining business, Pinstripes filed for Chapter 11 last week in Delaware bankruptcy court. The “eatertainment” chain now seeks to sell its assets. The move comes after a nearly year-long effort to restructure $143.1 million in debt came up short.
Pinstripes was founded in 2007 in Northbrook, Ill. The brand grew into an event-friendly destination that combined upscale Italian cuisine with recreational bocce and bowling. At its peak, it boasted 18 locations nationwide.
Just prior to seeking Chapter 11, Pinstripes closed 10 of its 18 sites. That included the bowling-bocce-bistro concept’s one New Jersey spot in Paramus at Westfield Garden State Plaza.
Striking it big
Founded 22 years ago in Hollywood, Calif., Lucky Strike began as an upscale entertainment concept. The experience fused bowling, dining and nightlife into one venue.
In 2023, Bowlero acquired Lucky Strike. One of the largest operators of bowling centers in the world, the buyer paid $90 million in an all-cash deal. Soon after, the company rebranded itself as Lucky Strike Entertainment.
Along with running its flagship brand, the company manages multiple other concepts across the entertainment space. Additional brands include Bowlero, AMF and Bowlmor.
Within New Jersey, the company’s footprint includes three Lucky Strike locations, four Bowlero sites and one AMF venue.
According to a Lucky Strike spokesperson, the design of the discounts aim “to be flexible and handled on a case-by-case basis by our event sales associates.” The media rep also said that while the primary focus of the offer is Lucky Strike, “sales would likely engage” requests for other brands “on a case-by-case basis.”
“Every group and event is different, so we wanted to make sure we could adapt our approach to best support those impacted,” the spokesperson said. “While there is no definite timeline, Lucky Strike will be working closely with events through the end of the year to support as much as possible.”
