Dive Brief:
- Dave & Buster’s promoted Darin Harper, current CFO, to the CEO position, effective Monday, the company said in a Tuesday press release.
- Harper succeeds Tarun Lal, who is retiring from his position. Lal, who joined the chain in 2025, will work with Harper during the transition and remain as a company advisor through the end of fiscal year 2027.
- Harper joined the chain in 2024 and has worked closely with Lal to deploy the company’s Back to Basics plan, which includes simplifying the customer experience and operating strategy to reverse falling revenue and sales.
Dive Insight:
Harper’s appointment marks the chain’s third CEO shift since 2021. The leadership instability was kicked off by Brian Jenkins’ departure from the chain. Dave & Buster’s appointed Chris Morris as CEO in 2022 following its acquisition of Main Event Entertainment. Morris resigned from his post in 2024 after the chain endured a significant drop in sales despite Morris’ efforts to revamp the chain.
Lal became CEO in 2025 following an extensive search.
Lal’s retirement may not be indicative of any operational challenges, however. Lal said he needed to spend more time with his family in India, but will remain involved with the company.
“Our Back-to-Basics plan is gaining meaningful traction across marketing, food and beverage, operations, games, and remodels, and the team executing it is extremely high quality and capable,” Lal said in a statement.
Despite the turnaround program, the chain posted a 5.4% decline in comparable stores sales during the fiscal first quarter of 2026, which ended May 5, 2026. Its revenue also declined by 1.5% to $559 million during the quarter. However, this was an improvement from the year-ago quarter, during which the chain saw comparable sales drop by 8.3% and revenue fall by 3.5%.
Harper brings significant experience to his new position, with almost 30 years at entertainment and restaurant companies. He has also worked at Main Event Entertainment, On the Border and CEC Entertainment, according to his LinkedIn profile.
“Under Harper, we largely expect a continuation of the current strategy given the board’s stated commitment to the current Back-to-Basics plan,” William Blair analyst Sharon Zackfia said in an emailed report about the appointment.
Lal set the company up for continued momentum under the Back-To-Basics plan, Harper said. Harper plans to continue to execute on the company’s same-store sales growth initiatives and will remain focused on improving EBITDA and generating free cash flow.
“In his time as CEO, [Lal] brought discipline, energy, and a relentless focus on the guest back to this business, and the Back-to-Basics plan has put the Company firmly on the right path,” Kevin Sheehan, Dave & Buster’s chairman, said in a statement. “[Harper] is the clear choice to lead Dave & Buster's going forward.”
Cory Hatton, the chain's head of entertainment finance, investor relations and treasurer, will serve as interim CFO until a permanent replacement for Harper is found.
