Dive Brief:
- Topgolf has named David McKillips as its CEO, effective Feb. 23, the chain said Thursday in a press release.
- McKillips, former CEC Entertainment president and CEO, succeeds Arthie Starrs, whose departure in 2025 led parent company Topgolf Callaway to slow a planned spinoff of the eatertainment chain.
- In January, Topgolf Callaway completed a sale of a majority stake in Topgolf for $770 million to private equity firm Leonard Green & Partners, and renamed itself Callaway Golf Company.
Dive Insight:
McKillips will take charge of the strategic vision and growth at the company, which has over 100 entertainment venues and advanced Toptracer technology, according to the press release. He has over 30 years experience in family entertainment, media and theme parks. Mckillips has held several leadership positions at Six Flags Entertainment, including roles in operations, food and beverage, retail, games and procurement.
McKillips led CEC Entertainment, Chuck E. Cheese’s parent company, for over five years, helping navigate the company through restructuring after it filed for bankruptcy following the COVID-19 pandemic. He led CEC through a “transformative global expansion, introduced innovative new guest experiences and launched its first membership program,” the press release said.
Similar acumen may be needed at Topgolf: the chain struggled with sales growth for several quarters while part of Callaway, though it did manage to hit positive same-venue sales during the third quarter. As a separate company, Topgolf should be able to focus on optimizing its capital allocation, simplifying its operational structures and boosting profits.
Topgolf continues to build and open new venues, debuting its fifth location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and its 15th in Texas in January. It surpassed 100 U.S. venues in November.
