PLAY

A month has gone by since the last earnings report for Dave & Buster's (PLAY). Shares have lost about 17.4% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500. But investors have to be wondering, will the recent negative trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Dave & Buster's due for a breakout? Well, first let's take a quick look at the latest earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late. Dave & Buster's reported weak first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with adjusted earnings and revenues missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both metrics also declined on a year-over-year basis.The quarter was primarily weighed down by weaker customer demand at existing locations, as reflected in lower comparable-store sales. This softness, particularly in the company's core entertainment segment, contributed to an overall decline in revenues. At the same time, profitability came under pressure due to higher labor, administrative and depreciation-related expenses, which compressed operating margins.Despite a challenging quarter, Dave & Buster's highlighted several encouraging developments. Management noted that its back-to-basics strategy is gaining traction, with improvements across food and beverage offerings, marketing initiatives and the refreshed remodel program contributing to a stronger guest experience. The company continued to execute on its growth strategy through new store openings, remodel activities and international franchise expansion. For the fiscal first quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 22 cents, which missed the consensus mark of 37 cents by 40.5%. In the year-ago quarter, it had reported an adjusted EPS of 76 cents.Quarterly revenues of $559.2 million missed the consensus estimate of $571 million by 2.1% and declined 1.5% year over year. The top line was pressured by a $29.2 million decline in comparable store revenues, partly offset by an $18.1 million increase in noncomparable store revenues. Food and Beverage revenues (38.3% of total revenues in the reported quarter) increased 6.5% year over year to $214.1 million. The company cited eat-and-play combo enhancements and menu changes made in the second half of fiscal 2025 as factors supporting higher food attach rates...

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. PLAY used its first-quarter fiscal 2026 call to acknowledge a weak start while arguing that the bigger story is a business reset built around games, value, food and beverage, and remodels. Management’s message was clear: Q1 disappointed, but the company believes the pieces are now in place to improve same-store sales through the rest of fiscal 2026 and deliver more than $100 million in free cash flow. CEO Tarun Lal said first-quarter results came in below both internal expectations and the outlook management had set previously. He pointed to a softer macro backdrop in April, including pressure on consumer sentiment, but also said the company was not using that as an excuse. The reported numbers were weak enough to keep the pressure on management. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $0.22, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.37, resulting in a negative earnings surprise of 40.5%. Revenues of $559.2 million missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $571.1 million by 2.1%. Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. Quote Comparable store sales fell 5.4% in the first quarter, revenues declined 1.5% year over year, and adjusted EBITDA slipped to $123.2 million from $136.1 million a year earlier. Adjusted EBITDA margin also narrowed to 22% from 24%. Lal said one of the clearest lessons from the quarter was that the company’s dollar-per-day messaging did not resonate as expected. He said the company has since pivoted to promotions that are proving more compelling with customers. Management described the marketing reset as broader than a single campaign. Lal said Dave & Buster’s is simplifying its promotional calendar, leaning more heavily on data-driven media mix decisions, and trying to strike a better balance between television and digital rather than swinging too far in either direction. In Q&A, a BMO Capital Markets analyst pressed for more detail on what changed. Lal stated that the current message hierarchy is more disciplined, with 10 new games now serving as the primary message and the World Cup watch experience as a secondary one. While entertainment remained soft, management highlighted food and beverage as an early proof point. Lal said comparable food and beverage sales rose about 5% in Q1, extending a run of nine straight months of positive same-s...

Dave & Buster's Q1 earnings and revenue both missed Street expectations. CEO Tarun Lal said Dave & Buster’s started Q1 strongly but was hurt by high gas prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and weaker consumer sentiment. Retail sentiment turned ‘bearish’ on Stocktwits after Q1 results. Dave & Buster's Entertainment (PLAY) stock slumped 11% overnight after a weaker-than-expected start to fiscal 2026, with company leadership acknowledging that first-quarter (Q1) performance fell short of both internal forecasts and investor expectations as economic pressures affected customer spending. The restaurant and entertainment company’s Q1 revenue of $559.2 million and adjusted earnings of $0.22 per share both missed the analysts’ consensus estimates of $578.38 million and $0.66 per share, respectively, according to Fiscal AI data. See what 10M+ investors are talking about. Get the Stocktwits Daily Rip for what retail is watching right now, free to your inbox Speaking during the Q1 earnings call, Dave & Buster's Entertainment CEO Tarun Lal said the business entered the quarter on a solid footing before facing mounting challenges later in the period. “Of the macro backdrop, elevated gas prices, geopolitical uncertainty and a meaningful softness in consumer sentiment. They all were a real headwind in April.” These conditions created headwinds for discretionary spending, affecting visits and overall sales trends at the entertainment and dining chain. Dave & Buster’s posted a 5.4% drop in comparable-store sales during Q1. Lal said management reviewed the effectiveness of the company’s promotional efforts. “We found that our dollar per day messaging did not resonate as strongly as we hoped. And since then, we have pivoted to more compelling promotions, which are resonating with customers,” said Lal. The initiative was designed to appeal to budget-conscious families, but the strategy did not generate the expected traffic, prompting the company to revise its promotional approach. While food and beverage sales remained resilient and continued to improve, the company's arcade and gaming operations, which typically yield higher profit margins, saw weaker demand. As a result, the entertainment segment accounted for a smaller share of overall revenue, placing additional pressure on earnings. Dave & Buster's Entertainment stock traded over 11% lower, ahead of Tuesday. On Stocktwits, r...

This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Total Revenue: $559 million for Q1 FY26. Net Income: $6 million or $0.16 per diluted share. Adjusted Net Income: $8 million or $0.22 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA: $123 million with a margin of 22%. Same-Store Sales Growth: Declined 5.4% in Q1 FY26. Food and Beverage Same-Store Sales Growth: Increased over 5% in Q1 FY26. Special Events Growth: Approximately 3% increase in Q1 FY26. Free Cash Flow: $25 million in Q1 FY26, an $84 million improvement from Q1 FY25. Net CapEx: Approximately $71 million in Q1 FY26. Cash and Liquidity: $20 million in cash and $499 million in total liquidity at the end of Q1 FY26. New Store Openings: One new domestic store in Q1 FY26, with three additional domestic stores opened in Q2 FY26. International Franchise Locations: Opened fifth location in Australia and sixth in Delhi, India. Remodel Program: Six remodels completed with a 7% comp uplift. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with PLAY. Is PLAY fairly valued? Test your thesis with our free DCF calculator. Release Date: June 15, 2026 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY) has seen a 5% growth in comparable food and beverage sales in Q1, driven by a return to a historically proven menu and strong eat and play combo execution. The company has rolled out 10 new games, the most since 2017, which are already among the top revenue generators, indicating a positive response to their midway investment. Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY) has strengthened its leadership team with new executives from reputable companies, enhancing its marketing, technology, and legal capabilities. The company has successfully implemented a new remodel prototype that costs half of previous remodels while delivering a similar sales lift, demonstrating efficient capital use. Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (NASDAQ:PLAY) expects to generate more than $100 million in free cash flow for the full year, supported by disciplined capital expenditure management and strong unit economics. Q1 results came in below expectations, with a 5.4% decline in same-store sales, attributed to macroeconomic challenges such as elevated gas prices and geopolitical uncertainty. The company's dollar-per-day messaging did not resonate with customers as e...

Dave & Buster's Entertainment (NASDAQ:PLAY) reported a steeper-than-expected drop in first-quarter profit and revenue as softer consumer sentiment and a marketing misstep weighed on comparable store sales. The video game and restaurant chain posted adjusted earnings per share of $0.22 for the quarter, falling well short of the analyst consensus of approximately $0.90. Revenue declined 1.5% year-over-year to $559.2 million, missing the $580.6 million expected by analysts. Comparable store sales fell 5.4% in the quarter, significantly worse than the consensus estimate of a 1.2% decline. The company attributed the shortfall to macroeconomic headwinds including elevated gas prices and geopolitical uncertainty, as well as promotional tests that failed to connect with cost-conscious consumers. Despite the weak headline results, management pointed to early signs of stabilization. Quarter-to-date comparable sales through mid-June were running at negative 4%, and the company said it expects to return to positive comparable sales for the remainder of fiscal 2026, beginning in mid-June, driven by a new games lineup, World Cup activations and a revitalized loyalty program with personalized offers. The company also cited momentum in its food and beverage segment, where comparable sales rose 5% year-over-year for the ninth consecutive month of positive growth, and in special events, which saw a 3% comparable sales gain. On the operational side, Dave & Buster's reported a meaningful swing in adjusted free cash flow, improving to positive $25.3 million from negative $58.8 million in the prior year period. Management reiterated its fiscal 2026 target of generating more than $100 million in free cash flow, with approximately $499 million in total liquidity. Dave & Buster's also reported continued international expansion, opening its fifth and sixth franchise locations in May and June 2026, including a partnership to develop 15 venues in India. Jefferies analysts said they view risk/reward as skewed to the upside at current valuations. The firm noted the stock trades at roughly 4 times estimated 2027 EBITDA, a discount to most full-service peers at 5 to 12 times. The bank lowered its 2026 comparable sales estimate to negative 2.4% and cut its adjusted EBITDA forecasts for 2026 and 2027 to $433 million and $469 million, respectively. Shares opened about 2.6% lower on Tuesday.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment reported a lower profit and falling revenue in the first quarter, dragged down by a continued slide in comparable store sales. The Dallas-based company on Monday said its comparable store sales fell 5.4% during the quarter, steeper than the 1.2% decline expected by analysts polled by FactSet. Stripping out certain one-time items, the company reported adjusted earnings of 22 cents a share, missing analyst expectations of 56 cents a share, according to FactSet.

Interested in Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.? Here are five stocks we like better. First-quarter results missed expectations as revenue came in at $559 million and comparable store sales fell 5.4%, with management citing April weakness from higher gas prices, soft consumer sentiment and promotional missteps. Executives said Q2 trends are improving, with quarter-to-date comparable sales down about 4% but expected to turn positive for the rest of the year as new games, menu changes, marketing adjustments and events like the World Cup roll out. Dave & Buster’s is leaning into a back-to-basics strategy focused on games, food, marketing and operations while also prioritizing free cash flow and capital discipline, including lower planned capex and potential shifts in new-store spending. Why Dave & Buster's Stock Is Ripping Higher Despite Ugly Earnings Dave & Buster's Entertainment (NASDAQ:PLAY) reported weaker-than-expected first-quarter results for fiscal 2026, with management pointing to macroeconomic pressure in April, a softer consumer backdrop and promotional missteps as contributors to a 5.4% decline in comparable store sales. Chief Executive Officer Tarun Lal told investors that the quarter “came in below both our own expectations and the expectations we set with you last quarter.” Lal said the company began the quarter well in February and that the March-April spring break calendar shift unfolded largely as expected, but April was pressured by “elevated gas prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and a meaningful softness in consumer sentiment.” → Viasat's Orbiting Profits: Space Force Jackpot? Dave & Buster’s Reversal Is in PLAY After Double-Bottom Breakout “That said, we are not here to make excuses,” Lal said, adding that management believes the business model remains resilient and that the company is taking steps to improve performance. Chief Financial Officer Darin Harper said first-quarter revenue was $559 million. Net income was $6 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, while adjusted net income was $8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $123 million, representing a 22% adjusted EBITDA margin. → What to Expect From Q2 Earnings as Tech Strength Broadens Dave & Buster’s Stock: Is Now the Time to Make a PLAY? Despite the first-quarter decline, executives said comparable sales trends have improved so far in the second quarter. Lal said...

COPPELL, Texas (AP) — COPPELL, Texas (AP) — Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc. (PLAY) on Monday reported fiscal first-quarter profit of $5.7 million. On a per-share basis, the Coppell, Texas-based company said it had profit of 16 cents. Earnings, adjusted for one-time gains and costs, came to 22 cents per share. The results missed Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 37 cents per share. The owner of Dave & Buster's, a chain of restaurants and arcades posted revenue of $559.2 million in the period, also falling short of Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $571.1 million. _____ This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on PLAY at https://www.zacks.com/ap/PLAY

Dave & Buster's (PLAY) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.22 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.37 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.76 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -40.54%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this owner of Dave & Buster's, a chain of restaurants and arcades would post earnings of $0.39 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.35, delivering a surprise of -189.74%. Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates just once. Dave & Buster's, which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry, posted revenues of $559.2 million for the quarter ended April 2026, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.08%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $567.7 million. The company has not been able to beat consensus revenue estimates over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. Dave & Buster's shares have lost about 20.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.6%. While Dave & Buster's has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for Dave & Buster's was unfavorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to underperform the market in the near...

DALLAS, June 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAY) (“Dave & Buster's” or “the Company”), an owner, operator, and franchisor of entertainment and dining venues, today announced financial results for its first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended May 5, 2026. First Quarter 2026 Financial Summary Revenue of $559.2 million decreased 1.5% from the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Comparable store sales decreased 5.4% compared to the same calendar period in fiscal 2025. Net income totaled $5.7 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, compared to net income of $21.7 million, or $0.62 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted net income1 totaled $7.8 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, compared to Adjusted net income1 of $26.7 million, or $0.76 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted EBITDA1 was $123.2 million compared to $136.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Adjusted free cash flow2 was positive $25.3 million compared to negative $58.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. Additional Events and Commentary The Company opened one new domestic store in the first quarter and has opened three additional domestic stores in the second quarter. The Company has completed remodels of six Dave & Buster’s stores thus far in fiscal 2026 and expects to complete two additional Dave & Buster’s store remodels during the remainder of fiscal 2026. The Company opened its fifth international franchise store in May and sixth international franchise store in June, and expects to open at least one additional international franchise store during the remainder of fiscal 2026. “While first quarter results fell short of expectations, our back-to-basics strategy is gaining clear traction,” said Tarun Lal, Chief Executive Officer. “We are driving meaningful progress across food and beverage, marketing, and our refreshed remodel program, which are delivering a sharper value proposition and driving a stronger guest experience. We have the right strategy, the right team, and the right momentum, and we are highly confident in our ability to drive positive comps for the remainder of the year while generating over $100 million in free cash flow in fiscal 2026.” Cash Flow and Liquidity The Company generated $25.3 million in Adjusted free cash flow during the first quarter, ending the quarter with $499.1 mill...

Dave & Buster's (PLAY) reported $559.2 million in revenue for the quarter ended April 2026, representing a year-over-year decline of 1.5%. EPS of $0.22 for the same period compares to $0.76 a year ago. The reported revenue represents a surprise of -2.08% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $571.09 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.37, the EPS surprise was -40.54%. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Dave & Buster's performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Comparable Store Sales - Total: -5.4% compared to the -2.6% average estimate based on four analysts. Stores Count - End of Period: 247 compared to the 244 average estimate based on four analysts. Company-owned stores at end of period - Dave & Buster's: 182 compared to the 181 average estimate based on three analysts. Company-owned stores at end of period - Main Event: 65 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 62. Entertainment revenues: $345.1 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $358.35 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -5.9%. Food and beverage revenues: $214.1 million versus $212.51 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +6.5% change. View all Key Company Metrics for Dave & Buster's here>>> Shares of Dave & Buster's have returned +27.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating that it could underperform the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Researc...

Arcade company Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ:PLAY) missed Wall Street’s revenue expectations in Q1 CY2026, with sales falling 1.5% year on year to $559.2 million. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.22 per share was 66.7% below analysts’ consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy Dave & Buster's? Find out in our full research report. Revenue: $559.2 million vs analyst estimates of $577.3 million (1.5% year-on-year decline, 3.1% miss) Adjusted EPS: $0.22 vs analyst expectations of $0.66 (66.7% miss) Adjusted EBITDA: $123.2 million vs analyst estimates of $134.1 million (22% margin, 8.1% miss) Operating Margin: 8.4%, down from 11.1% in the same quarter last year Same-Store Sales rose 5.4% year on year (-8.3% in the same quarter last year) Market Capitalization: $457.9 million “While first quarter results fell short of expectations, our back-to-basics strategy is gaining clear traction,” said Tarun Lal, Chief Executive Officer. Founded by a former game parlor and bar operator, Dave & Buster’s (NASDAQ:PLAY) operates a chain of arcades providing immersive entertainment experiences. A company’s long-term performance is an indicator of its overall quality. Any business can put up a good quarter or two, but the best consistently grow over the long haul. Over the last five years, Dave & Buster's grew its sales at a 31% annual rate. Though this growth is acceptable on an absolute basis, we need to see more than just topline growth for the consumer discretionary sector, which can display significant earnings volatility. This means our bar for the sector is particularly high, reflecting the non-essential and hit-driven nature of the products and services offered. Additionally, five-year CAGR starts around Covid, when revenue was depressed then rebounded. We at StockStory place the most emphasis on long-term growth, but within consumer discretionary, a stretched historical view may miss a company riding a successful new product or trend. Dave & Buster’s performance shows it grew in the past but relinquished its gains over the last two years, as its revenue fell by 2.3% annually. Note that COVID hurt Dave & Buster’s business in 2020 and part of 2021, and it bounced back in a big way thereafter. We can dig further into the company’s revenue dynamics by analyzing its same-store sales, which show how much revenue its established locations generate. Over the last two years, Dave & Buster’s...