Dave & Buster's operates as a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol PLAY. No single person or entity owns the entertainment company—instead, ownership belongs to thousands of shareholders who hold stock in the business.
The company runs 159 Dave & Buster's locations across 42 US states, Canada, and Puerto Rico as of December 2023. Dave & Buster's employs over 22,700 people and plans to open 15 new venues while completing 40-45 store remodels in 2024. Shares traded at $47 each as of December 2023, with the company buying back 2.8 million shares for $100 million in Q3 2023 alone.
If you want to understand how Dave & Buster's evolved from a single Dallas location to a publicly traded company, this guide covers the complete ownership story. From founders David Corriveau and James "Buster" Corley to today's institutional investors and share repurchase programs, here's how ownership has changed over four decades.
Who owns Dave & Buster's in 2025?
Public companies work differently than private businesses when it comes to ownership. While a private business might have a single owner or small group of partners, Dave & Buster's belongs to anyone who buys shares of the company.
Thousands of investors hold pieces of Dave & Buster's through stock ownership. These shareholders range from large investment firms managing billions of dollars to individual investors buying a few shares through their brokerage accounts.
Dave & Buster's is a public company
Dave & Buster's sells shares that anyone can buy through brokerage accounts—individual investors and large institutions alike. When you're a public company, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires regular financial reports and transparent communication with shareholders.
This public structure gives Dave & Buster's access to capital for growth. The company can raise money by selling shares to fund expansion, renovations, and new location development. That's different from private companies that rely on bank loans or private investors for financing.
Being public also means Dave & Buster's must follow strict disclosure rules. The company reports quarterly earnings, files annual reports, and announces major business decisions publicly. These requirements create transparency but also accountability to thousands of shareholders who own pieces of the business.
Trading on NASDAQ under ticker PLAY
The PLAY ticker symbol fits Dave & Buster's entertainment-focused business model. Investors looking for entertainment sector stocks can easily identify the company through this memorable symbol.
You can buy and sell Dave & Buster's shares through any brokerage account. Stock prices move based on company performance, market conditions, and how investors feel about the business. When Dave & Buster's reports strong quarterly earnings or announces expansion plans, the stock price typically reflects investor confidence in those results.
Here's how it works: If you want to invest in Dave & Buster's, you place an order through your broker for PLAY shares. The price you pay depends on what other investors are willing to sell for at that moment. This constant buying and selling activity determines the stock's daily trading price.
No single owner—ownership is shared among shareholders
Dave & Buster's ownership spreads across thousands of different shareholders rather than belonging to one person or small group. This structure means no single entity controls the company's decisions.
Here's how Dave & Buster's ownership breaks down:
- Institutional investors: Large financial companies like mutual funds, pension funds, and investment firms hold significant portions of Dave & Buster's stock. These organizations invest money for their clients and choose companies they expect will deliver strong returns.
- Individual investors: Regular people who buy shares through brokerage accounts or retirement plans.
- Company executives and insiders: Management team members and board directors own shares as part of their compensation packages. This aligns their interests with company performance.
- Index funds: Dave & Buster's appears in various market indices, so index funds automatically include the stock in their portfolios.
When someone asks who owns Dave & Buster's, the answer is thousands of shareholders—from large institutional investors to individual stockholders—who collectively own the company through their stock purchases.
The founders: Who started Dave & Buster's?
Two entrepreneurs with neighboring businesses in Little Rock, Arkansas created what would become the Dave & Buster's concept. Their story shows how observing customer behavior can lead to breakthrough business ideas.
David Corriveau and James 'Buster' Corley
David Corriveau ran Cash McCool's, an adult-oriented entertainment venue focused on games. Across the street, James "Buster" Corley operated Buster's, a restaurant and bar known for good food and drinks in a friendly atmosphere.
The two businessmen became friends after noticing an interesting pattern. Customers would regularly visit both establishments during the same outing—eating at Buster's before heading over to play games at Cash McCool's, or vice versa.
David brought game expertise and entertainment knowledge to their eventual partnership. Buster contributed restaurant operations and hospitality experience. Their complementary skills would prove essential when they decided to solve the problem they'd observed.
How their businesses merged into one concept
Instead of forcing customers to shuttle between two separate venues, why not combine both experiences under one roof? This simple insight led to the creation of an entirely new entertainment category.
The business model was straightforward: create a space where adults could enjoy quality food and drinks while having access to games and entertainment in the same location. This "eatertainment" concept filled a gap in the market for adult-oriented entertainment that went beyond typical bars or restaurants.
The first location in Dallas, 1982
Dave and Buster chose Dallas, Texas to launch their combined concept. In December 1982, they opened the first Dave & Buster's on Restaurant Row in Dallas. The original location spanned 40,000 square feet, providing ample space for both dining and gaming.
Word spread quickly about this unique entertainment destination where adults could enjoy a complete night out under one roof. The Dallas success established the foundation for what would eventually become the nationwide chain operating 159 locations today.
How Dave & Buster's ownership changed over time
Dave & Buster's went through multiple ownership transitions since 1982. Each change brought different capital sources and strategic priorities that shaped the company's growth.
1989: Edison Brothers acquires majority control
Seven years after opening, founders Corriveau and Corley sold 80% of Dave & Buster's to Edison Brothers Stores, keeping the remaining 20%.
Edison Brothers operated approximately 2,700 retail stores and had $1 billion in revenue when it acquired Dave & Buster's as part of building an entertainment division. The investment gave Dave & Buster's the capital needed to expand beyond its original Dallas location.
1995: First public offering
Edison Brothers spun off Dave & Buster's to shareholders in 1995. The company then launched its first IPO on NASDAQ under the ticker "DANB," raising nearly $30 million. Andy Newman, who previously worked at Edison Brothers, became chairman. This marked Dave & Buster's debut as a publicly traded company.
2005–2010: Private equity takes control
Private equity firm Wellspring Capital Management bought Dave & Buster's in December 2005 for approximately $257 million plus debt. Wellspring brought in new management and continued expanding locations. Four years later, Oak Hill Capital Partners acquired the company from Wellspring for about $570 million—doubling its value during private ownership.
2014: Return to public markets
Oak Hill took Dave & Buster's public again in October 2014. The company sold 5.88 million shares at $16 each, raising $94 million. Dave & Buster's began trading on NASDAQ under the ticker "PLAY" on October 10, 2014. Most proceeds went toward paying down debt. While Oak Hill remained the largest shareholder, the IPO distributed significant ownership to public investors.
Who currently owns Dave & Buster's shares?
Dave & Buster's shares trade among different types of investors rather than sitting with one owner. This diverse ownership structure influences how the company makes strategic decisions and manages its business.
Institutional investors: Hill Path, BlackRock, Vanguard
Large institutional investors hold most of Dave & Buster's stock. Hill Path Capital represents a significant shareholder, along with investment giants BlackRock and Vanguard Group. These institutions manage money for pension funds, mutual funds, and other investment vehicles.
Their substantial holdings often give them voting power that can influence company decisions. When institutional investors own large portions of stock, they typically have a voice in major strategic choices.
Insider ownership and executive stakes
Company executives and board members own shares in Dave & Buster's, though their holdings are smaller than institutional positions. Executive ownership aligns management interests with company performance—when the stock does well, executives benefit directly.
Many executive compensation packages include stock options or restricted shares that vest over time. This structure encourages leaders to think about long-term company success rather than short-term gains.
Share buybacks and stock repurchase programs
Dave & Buster's buys back its own stock from the market through repurchase programs. These buybacks reduce the total number of shares available, which can increase earnings per share and potentially boost stock value.
The company's board authorizes these repurchase programs as part of how it allocates capital. When Dave & Buster's buys back shares, it effectively returns value to remaining shareholders while concentrating ownership among those who keep their stock.
Conclusion
Dave & Buster's operates as a publicly traded company in 2025, with ownership distributed among thousands of shareholders rather than concentrated in a single entity. The entertainment company has evolved through multiple ownership changes since David Corriveau and James "Buster" Corley opened the first location in Dallas in 1982.
Today's ownership structure includes institutional investors like Hill Path Capital, BlackRock, and Vanguard, along with individual investors and company executives. Dave & Buster's actively manages its ownership through share repurchase programs, buying back stock to potentially increase value for remaining shareholders.
The company's journey from a single Dallas venue to 159 locations across North America shows how a simple business concept can attract diverse investment interest. Each ownership phase—from the founders to Edison Brothers, private equity firms, and finally public markets—brought different strategic priorities that shaped the company's growth.
With continued expansion plans for new venues and store remodels, Dave & Buster's ownership story continues to evolve as shareholders collectively guide the company's future direction in the entertainment industry.
FAQs
Q1. Who currently owns Dave & Buster's?
Dave & Buster's is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol PLAY. Ownership is shared among numerous shareholders, including institutional investors, individual investors, and company insiders.
Q2. What is Dave & Buster's age policy?
Dave & Buster's has an age policy that varies by location. Generally, persons under 18 or 21 years old must be accompanied by a guardian who is at least 25 years of age to enter the premises.
Q3. Has Dave & Buster's made any recent acquisitions?
Yes, in June 2022, Dave & Buster's completed the acquisition of Main Event Entertainment, a Texas-based family entertainment center chain, for $835 million.
Q4. How has Dave & Buster's ownership structure changed over time?
Dave & Buster's has undergone several ownership changes since its founding in 1982. It started as a private company, was acquired by Edison Brothers in 1989, went public in 1995, returned to private ownership in 2005, and finally went public again in 2014.
Q5. What strategies does Dave & Buster's use to manage its ownership structure?
Dave & Buster's implements share repurchase programs, buying back its own stock from the market. This strategy can potentially increase earnings per share and stock value while effectively concentrating ownership among remaining shareholders.
