MAIN EVENT’S 50 FECs ACQUIRED BY DAVE & BUSTER’S

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. has announced an agreement to acquire Main Event, the Dallas-based family entertainment company and bowling chain, for $835 million from Ardent Leisure Group Limited and RedBird Capital Partners.

Upon closing of the deal, Main Event CEO Chris Morris will be named CEO of Dave & Buster’s.

Main Event currently has 50 locations and is known for its bowling lanes, laser tag and virtual reality games, as well as a sports bar-style menu.

“We are thrilled to join the Dave & Buster’s family,” said Morris, Main Event’s CEO, in a statement. “We will undoubtedly benefit from the collective expertise and strong culture of both brands, particularly as we continue to accelerate Main Event’s aggressive expansion plans.”

The transaction, which is expected to close later this year, will allow Main Event to continue to operate as its own brand under the Dave & Buster’s umbrella. Morris has been in his role of President and CEO of Main Event since 2018, during which time he expanded the brand’s footprint by 30%. Before that, he was President of California Pizza Kitchen and held executive leadership positions with On the Border and CEC Entertainment.

Earlier, Main Event had acquired three FECs operating under The Summit brand in Colorado.