---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001104659-22-042998"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "PLAY"
cik: "0001525769"
company_name: "Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc."
filed_at: "2022-04-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-26T09:06:01.470501+00:00"
event_type: "m_and_a"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.85
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Dave & Buster's acquires Main Event for $835M; Chris Morris to become CEO

## Summary
- All-cash deal valued at $835M enterprise value; represents ~9x Main Event's TTM Adjusted EBITDA as of Dec 31, 2021.
- Chris Morris, current Main Event CEO, appointed CEO of Dave & Buster's upon close; Kevin Sheehan to remain Chairman.
- Expected ~$20M in synergies within two years from store support consolidation and supply-chain efficiencies.
- Transaction funded via cash on hand and committed bank financing (Term Loan B of $850M + Revolver of up to $500M).
- Acquisition unanimously approved by both boards; closing subject to Ardent Leisure stockholder approval and regulatory review.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001104659-22-042998
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: PLAY
- cik: 0001525769
- company_name: Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.
- filed_at: 2022-04-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: m_and_a
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.85
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.85
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1525769/000110465922042998/0001104659-22-042998-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1525769/000110465922042998/tm2210601d1_8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-22-042998
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-22-042998.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001104659-22-042998.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Christopher Morris was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc..
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: the Company announced that the Board will appoint Christopher Morris as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Board, effective at the closing of the Transactions.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1525769/000110465922042998/0001104659-22-042998-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.