Dave & Buster's Names Former KFC U.S. President as Its New CEO

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc., (NASDAQ: PLAY), the Coppell-based owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues, announced that former KFC U.S. president Tarun Lal has been appointed chief executive officer and a member of the board of directors.

“After a careful and comprehensive search, the board is thrilled to announce Tarun as our next CEO,” Kevin Sheehan, chairman of the board and interim CEO, said in a statement. “Tarun is a talented leader and seasoned operator with a highly successful track record of growing and improving businesses and brands in the U.S and around the world. We are confident he will have an immediate impact, grow our business and create substantial shareholder value.”

Lal is a veteran global executive with more than 25 years of experience at Yum! Brands, where he most recently was president of KFC U.S.

In that role, Lal led all aspects of the brand’s operations across the U.S. Before, he held several key leadership roles, including Global COO for KFC and managing director for KFC Middle East, Turkey, Africa, India, and Pakistan, where he led major brand expansions, championed digital innovation, and delivered consistent growth across various complex markets.

“I’m truly honored to be joining this incredibly talented team and to lead the company into its next chapter,” Lal said in a statement. “Dave & Buster’s and Main Event are iconic, highly differentiated brands with exceptionally large and loyal customer bases, outstanding unit level and new unit economics and huge potential for growth. I have been deeply impressed with what I have seen so far and sincerely look forward to working closely with our team and the Board to deepen our connection with our guests and team members and drive immediate and long-term growth and value for all stakeholders.”

Founded in 1982, Dave & Buster’s is the owner and operator of 236 venues in North America that offer premier entertainment and dining experiences to guests through two distinct brands: Dave & Buster’s and Main Event.

The company has 175 Dave & Buster’s branded stores in 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Each store 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.

The company also operates 61 Main Event branded stores in 22 states across the country, offering state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of arcade games, and virtual reality experiences.

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