Dave and Buster’s To Acquire Main Event for $835 Million

Dave and Buster’s announced today it will acquire the dining and entertainment chain Main Event from Arden Leisure Group Limited and RedBird Capital Partners in an $835 million deal.

Dallas-based Main Event operates 50 locations in 17 states, offering a full menu and bar, along with entertainment like bowling, laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality and more. Upon closing, which is expected later this year, Chris Morris, the current CEO of Main Event, will be named CEO of Dave and Buster’s.

“We are thrilled to welcome Main Event to the Dave and Buster’s family,” says Kevin Sheehan, board chair and interim CEO, in a press release. “This is a transformational combination for both brands. From a strategic fit perspective, Main Event’s business model, footprint and asset quality aligns well with Dave and Buster’s. Main Event targets a different demographic, families with younger children, while Dave and Buster’s has primarily targeted young adults.”

While the brands will continue to operate independently, Sheehan says the ownership of both allows the company to expand the range of customers served and both brands to better differentiate offerings to their core customers.

Dave and Buster’s owns and operates 145 locations in North America.