DALLAS, June 29, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., (NASDAQ:PLAY), an owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Main Event from Ardent Leisure Group Limited (ASX: ALG) and RedBird Capital Partners, following regulatory review and approval from Ardent Leisure shareholders. As previously announced in April 2022, the transaction was unanimously approved by both Boards of Directors. Chris Morris, the current CEO of Main Event has been named CEO of Dave & Buster’s and a member of its Board of Directors.
“We are very excited to officially welcome the Main Event team to Dave & Buster’s and to begin capitalizing on the enormous opportunity that this combination creates,” said Kevin Sheehan, Chairman of the Board. “These two brands perfectly complement each other, and their joining puts our Company in a strategically unparalleled position for accelerated, profitable growth under the leadership of Chris Morris. Chris’ track-record of effective execution and prudent leadership will be invaluable in unlocking additional value for our shareholders.”
Chris Morris, incoming CEO, said: “I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to lead Dave & Buster’s at such an exciting inflection point for the Company. We have created a combination of brands and people that will enhance our relationships with our guests and allow us to provide them with even better experiences. This is truly a transformational time for our Company, and I look forward to embarking on this journey. On behalf of the entire Dave & Buster’s family, I would like to thank Kevin for his leadership and recognize his success at accelerating change at the Company.”
About Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., is the owner and operator of 147 venues in North America that combine entertainment and dining and offer customers the opportunity to “Eat Drink Play and Watch,” all in one location. Dave & Buster’s offers a full menu of entrées and appetizers, a complete selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. Dave & Buster’s currently has stores in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
About Main Event
Founded in 1998, Dallas-based Main Event operates 50 centers in 17 states across the country. Main Event offers the most fun under one roof with state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of arcade games and virtual reality, making it the perfect place for families to connect and make memories. Main Event is a premier sponsor of Special Olympics International, supporting via fundraising and serving as a venue for Special Olympics events nationwide. Main Event also is a proud partner of the Dallas Cowboys. For more information, visit mainevent.com