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Dave & Buster’s leans into new menu, enhanced digital offerings as recovery struggles continueDave & Buster’s leans into new menu, enhanced digital offerings as recovery struggles continue

Dave & Buster’s same-store sales declined 35% compared with pre-pandemic numbers; will be debuting NFTs as prizes

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

June 11, 2021

3 Min Read
D&B 2021
Dave & Buster's struggles to regain 2019 sales momentum.Dave & Buster's

Joanna Fantozzi

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment is slowly recovering from the pandemic, with numbers still down from pre-pandemic levels as the eatertainment company reported a 35% same-store sales decline for the first quarter ended May 2, 2021, as compared with 2019 first quarter same-store sales. (The company is comparing most of their 2021 numbers to pre-pandemic financials to create a more accurate recovery comparison).

Although Dave & Buster’s is still struggling to regain pre-COVID levels of momentum, CEO Brian Jenkins said he is satisfied with the “significant improvement” the company has made since the pandemic forced most of the stores to shut their doors last year.

“We are optimistic about our future as we implement strategic initi...

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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