Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. is a leading operator of entertainment and dining venues across North America, offering immersive gaming experiences, sports viewing, and high-quality food and beverage services.

# Company Summary: Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

## Business Overview
- **Main Operations**: Owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues in North America.
- **Brands**:
  - **Dave & Buster’s**: 171 stores across 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
  - **Main Event**: 61 stores across 22 states in the U.S.

## Offerings
- **Entertainment**:
  - Focused on engaging and immersive gaming experiences.
  - Stores feature an average of over 80 (Dave & Buster’s) to 100+ (Main Event) games, including redemption, virtual reality, and simulation games.
  - Customers purchase game credits ("chips" or RFID cards) to play games.
  - Redemptions are ticket-based, with prizes ranging from novelty items to high-end electronics.
  - Sports-viewing areas with large LED "Wow Walls" and multiple HD screens to watch live sports and televised programming.
- **Food & Beverage**:
  - Differentiated menus based on brand identity:
    - **Dave & Buster’s**: “Inspired American Kitchen,” offering quality, flavorful dishes, including starters, burgers, steaks, pasta, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
    - **Main Event**: “Family Kitchen,” with a focus on sharing meals for families.
  - Menu updates and kitchen enhancements for faster delivery.
  - Full bar services with beers, cocktails, and premium spirits.
- **Customer Experience**:
  - Aiming for a multi-faceted experience combining gaming, sports viewing, dining, and socializing.
  - Approximately 65.2% of revenues come from entertainment activities.
  - Stores designed to appeal to families, young adults, and sports fans.

## Business Model & Performance
- **Store Sizes**:
  - Dave & Buster’s: 16,000 to 70,000 sq. ft., averaged 26,000 sq. ft. in 2024.
  - Main Event: 37,500 to 78,000 sq. ft., averaging 50,000 sq. ft. in 2024.
- **Revenue (Fiscal Year 2024)**:
  - Total revenue: **$2.13 billion** (down 3.3% from $2.21 billion in 2023).
  - Entertainment revenue: **$1.39 billion** (65.2% of total revenues).
  - Food revenue: **$742 million**.
  - Beverage revenue: **$235 million**.
- **Customers & Employees**:
  - Employed approximately **23,420 team members**.
  - Store management: 8.3%, hourly team members: 89.8%, support staff: 1.5%, sales force: 0.4%.
- **Financials**:
  - **Net income**: **$58.3 million** (Fiscal 2024).
  - **Adjusted EBITDA**: **$506.2 million** (23.7% of revenues).

## Growth & Expansion
- **Store Openings in Fiscal 2024**:
  - 11 new Dave & Buster’s locations.
  - 3 new Main Event locations.
- **International Expansion**:
  - Franchise partnerships in regions including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Australia, Dominican Republic, Philippines, and Mexico.
  - First franchise store opened in Bengaluru, India in December 2024 with plans for at least five more in 2025.

## Additional Details
- The company emphasizes providing high-quality entertainment and dining experiences, with a focus on innovation, technology investments, marketing, and customer engagement.
- The company’s revenue and customer base are supported by a broad brand recognition with about 90% awareness nationally for Dave & Buster’s.
- The company operates largely on leased properties, with long-term lease agreements for all store locations.
- Approximately 1,845 stores are considered comparable stores, with the total store count at 232.

**In summary**, Dave & Buster’s is a major entertainment and dining operator with a focus on interactive gaming, sports viewing, and high-quality food and beverage services, generating over $2 billion in annual revenue with a significant portion from entertainment play and a staff of over 23,000 employees.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. is a prominent dining and entertainment company featuring a diverse range of games and quality food across 220 locations primarily in North America.

# Summary of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

## Overview
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (D&B Entertainment) is a leading entertainment and dining company operating 220 venues primarily in North America under two key brands: **Dave & Buster's** and **Main Event**. With a unique offering of food, drinks, and a variety of entertainment options, D&B aims to provide enjoyable experiences for both adults and families.

## Business Model
### Key Offerings
- **Dining Options**: 
  - **Dave & Buster's**: "Inspired American Kitchen" menu featuring quality dishes including appetizers, entrees, and a full bar.
  - **Main Event**: "Family Kitchen" with a focus on family-friendly meals.
- **Entertainment**: 
  - **Dave & Buster's**: An average of 135 games per location, including redemption and simulation games.
  - **Main Event**: About 115 games along with bowling, laser tag, billiards, and virtual reality experiences.
- **Sports Viewing**: Multiple large-screen televisions for watching live sports, with enhanced viewing experiences in Dave & Buster's stores.

### Customer Experience
D&B offers a multifaceted customer experience, integrating entertainment, quality dining, and sports viewing in energetic environments. The company aims to position itself as the premier destination for social entertainment.

## Scale and Reach
- **Locations**: 
  - 162 Dave & Buster’s stores in 42 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
  - 58 Main Event stores in 20 states across the U.S.
- **Employees**: As of February 4, 2024, D&B employs **23,258 team members**, including management and hourly staff.
- **Customer Traffic**: Attracts an extensive customer base, combining adults aged 21-39 and families, although specific customer numbers are not disclosed.
  
## Financial Performance
- **Revenue**: Entertainment revenues accounted for approximately **65.1%** of total revenues in fiscal 2023, although specific revenue figures are not provided in the summary.
- **Operating Margins**: The company reported a **gross margin of 90.7%** for entertainment offerings in fiscal 2023, indicating high profitability in games and activities.
- **Cash-on-Cash Returns**: Targets are set at **35%** for one-year returns and **25%** for five-year returns on new store openings.

## Expansion Strategy
- The company continues to pursue growth through:
  - New store openings: **Eleven new Dave & Buster's** and **five new Main Event** stores opened in fiscal 2023.
  - International expansion through franchising agreements in markets like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, India, Australia, and the Dominican Republic.
  
## Corporate Responsibility
D&B Entertainment has a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with **64.9%** of its U.S. workforce being racial minorities. It also engages in community support through initiatives like its partnership with Make-A-Wish and the employee assistance program Buster’s Legacy Fund. 

## Risks and Challenges
D&B faces various operational challenges, including:
- Fluctuating consumer preferences.
- Competitive pressures from other entertainment options and dining establishments.
- Economic conditions impacting discretionary consumer spending.
- Regulatory compliance in multiple jurisdictions. 

In summary, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. is a versatile entertainment and dining venue provider, offering a wide array of gaming, sports viewing, and high-quality food and beverage options tailored to attract a diverse and broad customer base in a competitive market.

Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.

10-K / April 7, 2025

10-K / April 2, 2024

10-K / April 7, 2025

Company Summary: Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

Business Overview

Offerings

Business Model & Performance

Growth & Expansion

Additional Details