Dave & Buster’s Q2 2026 Results
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLAY) reported second‑quarter results for the period ending August 4, 2026 that fell short of analyst expectations, prompting the stock to decline 13 percent in after‑hours trading.
The company posted an adjusted loss of $0.27 per share, contrasting sharply with the consensus estimate of a $0.19 profit per share. Revenue for the quarter was $544.1 million, missing the consensus forecast of $556.83 million and representing a 2.4 percent year‑over‑year decline from $557.4 million in the comparable period of the prior year. Comparable store sales decreased 2.9 percent versus the same quarter last year.
Adjusted EBITDA contracted to $98.9 million from $129.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2025. Over the six‑month six‑month period, the company generated positive adjusted free cash flow of $19.5 million, a turnaround from a negative $36.5 million in the prior year’s six‑month window.
Chief Executive Officer Darin Harper stated, “We are energized by the obvious, actionable, and enormous opportunities ahead for Dave & Buster’s and Main Event. Our Back‑to‑Basics strategy is gaining momentum with enhanced executional urgency. We are experiencing ongoing growth in food and beverage sales as well as in special events sales.”
During the quarter, Dave & Buster’s opened six new domestic stores and announced plans to complete two additional store remodels before the end of fiscal 2026, bringing the total remodel count for the year to eight. The company now operates 250 company‑owned stores across North America under the Dave & Buster’s and Main Event brands, together with six international franchise locations.
At quarter‑end, the company reported $492.1 million of available liquidity.
Key figures: Adjusted loss $0.27/share; consensus profit $0.19/share; revenue $544.1 million vs $556.83 million estimate; YoY revenue decline 2.4 %; comparable store sales down 2.9 %; adjusted EBITDA $98.9 million vs $129.8 million prior year; six‑month adjusted free cash flow $19.5 million vs –$36.5 million; new stores opened 6; remodels planned 2 (total 8); total owned stores 250; franchise locations 6; liquidity $492.1 million.