On December 22, 2020, the leading North American entertainment and dining chain, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., welcomed James Chambers to its Board of Directors. A Co-Founder and Partner of the private debt and equity investment firm Hill Path Capital LP, Mr. Chambers will also sit on Dave & Buster’s Audit, Finance, and Compensation Committees.
Mr. Chambers looks forward to driving increased value for all shareholders in Dave & Buster’s and its management team, which offers customers the opportunity to “Eat, Drink, Play, and Watch” at 139 venues throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. Dave & Buster’s offers a full menu of entrées and appetizers, a complete selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions, with a focus on gameplay, as well as live sports and other televised events.
Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer, Brian A. Jenkins, praised James Chambers’ “deep experience with entertainment brands.” He added that he is “confident that, together with our other Directors, James will help us advance our strategies for growth.”
Hill Path Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Scott Ross, echoed Brian A. Jenkins’ positive sentiments. “We are pleased to further our support for Dave & Buster’s,” said Mr. Ross, “and continue to partner with the Board and management team to realize the full potential of the Company and its uniquely valuable assets.”
With the installation of James Chambers on the Dave & Buster’s Board of Directors, it will include ten Directors, eight of whom are independent in nature. Before this engagement, Hill Path Capital has long been one of Dave & Buster’s principal shareholders and most involved business partners. Hill Path Capital’s single largest holding, however, is the leading marine wildlife rehabilitation organization and amusement park company SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
In addition to his new involvement with Dave & Buster’s, James Chambers sits on the Board of Directors of SeaWorld, alongside Hill Path Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Scott Ross. Mr. Ross serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, SeaWorld operates with enhanced health and safety protocols in place, maintaining strict cleaning and sanitization standards and leading the industry in terms of protective measures, such as physical distancing, face covering, and temperature screening protocols. Each year, SeaWorld rescues a range of aquatic and terrestrial animals that are ill, injured, orphaned, or abandoned. Its ultimate goal is to rehabilitate these animals and return them to their natural wilderness environments.
Beyond their ongoing involvement with SeaWorld and Dave & Buster’s, both James Chambers and Scott Ross have long histories of senior management with large companies that span a broad range of industries and market sectors. Mr. Chambers has previously served on the Board of Directors of Great Wolf Resorts and CEC Entertainment (the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese’s and Peter Piper Pizza). Mr. Chambers has also served as Principal of Maritime Tankers Corp. and Chemical Carriers.
Mr. Ross has served as Director of Great Wolf Resorts and CEC Entertainment. Mr. Ross has also been a Partner at Apollo Global Management, where he spearheaded private equity and debt investments in the lodging, leisure, entertainment, consumer, and business services sectors.
About Carson Derrow
