Sponsored By

Dave & Buster’s Q2 same-store sales slide 87% amid pandemic-era eatertainment industry strugglesDave & Buster’s Q2 same-store sales slide 87% amid pandemic-era eatertainment industry struggles

Revenues also decreased 85%, reflecting the detrimental effects from nearly 25% of its portfolio remaining closed at the end of the quarter

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

September 11, 2020

3 Min Read
dave busters exterior
Dave & Buster's continues to struggle with sales during the pandemic.Dave & Buster's

Joanna Fantozzi

Experience-based dining companies like Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc. continue to struggle throughout the pandemic. For the second quarter ended August 2, the Dallas-based eatertainment company’s same-store sales slide 87%, attributable to the company shutting down all of its stores at the beginning of the pandemic. Over the second quarter, however, Dave & Buster’s slowly reopened many of their stores until by August, the company had reopened 84 out of 115 stores, all operating under modified, shortened hours.

Despite the challenged numbers, Dave & Buster’s CEO Brian A. Jenkins said that of the stores that did reopen, most were generating revenues at about 40% of their 2019 levels, and in the first few weeks of the thir...

Create a free account or login

This content is available for registered users

Already have an account?

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)

Subscribe Nation's Restaurant News Newsletters
Get the latest breaking news in the industry, analysis, research, recipes, consumer trends, the latest products and more.