Dave Lal, who previously worked at KFC, is now serving as the CEO of Dave & Buster's.
Tarun Lal, an experienced executive with over 25 years at Yum! Brands, has been appointed as the new CEO of Dave & Buster's. Lal, who held senior leadership roles such as president of KFC U.S. and global COO of KFC, is recognized as a seasoned operator with a successful track record of growing and improving brands globally.
The appointment comes amid a sales slump for Dave & Buster's, which has experienced nine consecutive quarters of same-store sales declines. The company has been implementing a “back to basics” strategy focused on better marketing, value, and operations, which has started showing signs of improved sales and profitability.
As CEO, Lal aims to leverage Dave & Buster's and its sister brand Main Event’s iconic, differentiated positions and large loyal customer bases, alongside strong unit economics, to drive growth and shareholder value. His experience with turnaround efforts and international markets positions him well to deepen connection with customers and employees and spearhead an immediate and sustainable business recovery.
Dave & Buster's operates 175 locations of its flagship chain, and also operates 61 units of the food-and-games chain, Main Event. Lal described both brands as "outstanding" with "exceptionally large and loyal customer bases." He believes that their "iconic, highly differentiated" positions will help drive growth in the eatertainment sector.
Kevin Sheehan, Dave & Buster's chairman, described Lal as a "talented leader" and "seasoned operator." Sheehan is optimistic about Lal's ability to lead the company through its current challenges and towards growth.
In the past year, Dave & Buster's stock has been down 20%. In early-morning trading, the stock was down more than 2%. However, with Lal at the helm, there is hope that the company can reverse its fortunes and capture growth opportunities in the eatertainment sector.
Lal spent his entire career with Yum Brands, and was named president of KFC U.S. in 2022. His appointment as CEO of Dave & Buster's was announced in July 2025, eight months after the company ousted its previous CEO, Chris Morris.
In conclusion, Tarun Lal’s extensive experience in leading large food and entertainment brands through challenging periods is central to Dave & Buster's strategy to reverse its sales decline and capture growth opportunities in the eatertainment sector. With Lal at the helm, Dave & Buster's is poised to make a comeback.
[1] Dave & Buster's Press Release, July 2025 [2] Yum! Brands Press Release, January 2023 [3] KFC Press Release, February 2022
- Tarun Lal's appointment as CEO of Dave & Buster's, a struggling restaurant business in the eatertainment industry, signals a strategic move to leverage their strong financial resources and unique market position to drive growth and enhance shareholder value, given his extensive experience in finance and turnaround efforts within the restaurant finance sector.
- As the new CEO of Dave & Buster's, a company facing challenging business conditions, Lal aims to strengthen connections with customers and employees, harnessing the company's iconic brand image, large loyal customer base, and efficient unit economics to spearhead a rejuvenation plan in the eatertainment industry, following his proven track record in the finance and restaurant industry.
