Release Details

Achieves Net Income of $21.5 million and EPS of $0.50
Affirms Total Revenues, Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA Guidance for Fiscal 2016

DALLAS, Sept. 06, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --  Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc., (NASDAQ:PLAY), ("Dave & Buster's" or "the "Company"), an owner and operator of entertainment and dining venues, today announced financial results for its second quarter 2016, which ended on July 31, 2016.  The Company also affirmed its fiscal 2016 total revenues, net income, and adjusted EBITDA guidance.

Key highlights from the second quarter 2016 compared to the second quarter 2015 include:

• Total revenues increased 12.4% to $244.3 million from $217.3 million.
• Comparable store sales increased 1.0% compared to an 11.0% increase.
• Opened two stores in both second quarters, respectively.
• Net income increased 71.1% to $21.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EBITDA*, a non-GAAP measure, increased 21.9% to $64.2 million from $52.7 million.  As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 210 basis points to 26.3%.

* A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Store EBITDA to Net income, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP, is set forth in the attachment to this release.

"Given our year-to-date performance, we are increasingly confident in our annual guidance for total revenues, net income, and adjusted EBITDA, despite the challenges affecting the casual dining industry and our revised expectations for softer comparable store sales trends this year.  The growing impact of new store development and the continued shift in revenues to our higher-margin amusement category coupled with operating leverage are clearly evident in our second quarter results, as the 20 non-comparable stores contributed $24.7 million to our 12.4% total revenues growth and Adjusted EBITDA growth of 21.9%," said Steve King, Chief Executive Officer.

"We generated a 1.0% increase in comparable store sales during the second quarter and 12.0% on a two-year stacked basis, lapping an 11.0% increase from the prior year.  While comparable store sales growth was modest, it still exceeded the competitive casual dining benchmark, which we have outperformed for 17 straight quarters.  Our unique entertainment, dining, and sports viewing venues provide us with some degree of insulation from general industry trends and we are keeping our brand fresh through new food and beverage options and exciting new games to further differentiate ourselves," he continued.

"We now expect to open ten to eleven stores in fiscal 2016, including up to six openings in new markets for our brand.  Our development pipeline is solid and we are well positioned over the long-term to capitalize on the changing retail dynamics affecting big box operators and malls," he concluded.

Review of Second Quarter 2016 Operating Results

Total revenues increased 12.4% to $244.3 million in the second quarter 2016 from $217.3 million in the second quarter 2015.  Food and Beverage revenues increased 8.5% to $107.7 million and Amusement and Other revenues increased 15.7% to $136.7 million.  Food and Beverage represented 44.1% of total revenues while Amusements and Other represented 55.9% of total revenues in the second quarter 2016.  In last year's second quarter, Food and Beverage represented 45.6% of total revenues while Amusements and Other represented 54.4% of total revenues.

Comparable store sales increased 1.0% in the second quarter 2016 compared to an 11.0% increase in the same period last year.  Our comparable store sales growth was driven by a 0.9% increase in walk-in sales and a 1.9% increase in special events sales.  Non-comparable store revenues increased by $24.7 million or 99.5% in the second quarter 2016 to $49.5 million.

Operating income increased to $36.0 million in the second quarter 2016 from $26.8 million in last year's second quarter.  As a percentage of total revenues, operating income increased approximately 240 basis points to 14.7%.

Net income increased to $21.5 million, or $0.50 per diluted share (43.3 million diluted share base), in the second quarter 2016 compared to net income of $12.6 million, or $0.29 per diluted share (42.7 million diluted share base), in the same period last year.  Net income in the second quarter of 2015 included a non-recurring loss on debt retirement of approximately $4.7 million (net of tax) or $0.11 per diluted share.

Store EBITDA*, a non-GAAP measure, increased 18.3% to $74.0 million in the second quarter 2016 from $62.5 million in last year's second quarter.  As a percentage of total revenues, Store EBITDA increased approximately 150 basis points to 30.3%. 

Adjusted EBITDA* increased 21.9% to $64.2 million in the second quarter 2016 from $52.7 million in the same period last year.  As a percentage of total revenues, Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 210 basis points to 26.3%. 

Development
In fiscal 2016, we now intend to open a total of ten to eleven new stores (vs. nine to ten stores previously guided) spanning the small and large store formats.  We currently have eight stores under construction. 

We opened two stores during the second quarter in Florence, Kentucky and Little Rock, Arkansas and total of five stores through the first half of the year.  We will open two stores during the third quarter — a store in Summerlin (Las Vegas), Nevada which opened in August and a store in Fresno, California which will open in October.  During the fourth quarter, we will open stores in Silver Spring (Baltimore), Maryland; Toledo, Ohio; Toronto, Ontario (Canada); as well as possibly one additional location.

Total capital additions (net of tenant improvement allowances and other landlord payments) are now expected in the $130 million to $140 million range (vs. $123 million to $133 million previously) and include development costs for store openings, six remodeling and related projects, new games and maintenance capital.

Financial Outlook
We are affirming the majority of our financial outlook for fiscal 2016, which ends on January 29, 2017:

• Total revenues of $983 million to $995 million.
• Comparable store sales increase of 2.25% to 3.25% (vs. 3.25% to 4.25% previously).
• Effective tax rate of approximately 36.5% to 37.5%.
• Net income of $80 million to $85 million.
• Diluted share count of approximately 43.2 million.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $254 million to $260 million.

Conference Call Today
Management will hold a conference call to discuss these results today at 4:00 p.m. Central Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed over the phone by dialing (719) 325-4793.  A replay will be available after the call for one year beginning at 7:00 p.m. Central Time (8:00 p.m. Eastern Time) and can be accessed by dialing (858) 384-5517; the passcode is 4157107.

Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will be available at www.daveandbusters.com under the Investor Relations section.

About Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc., is the owner and operator of 87 venues in North America that combine entertainment and dining and offer customers the opportunity to "Eat, Drink, Play and Watch," all in one location.  Dave & Buster's offers a full menu of "Fun American New Gourmet" entrées and appetizers, a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events.  Dave & Buster's currently has stores in 33 states and Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements
The statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and, consequently, could be affected by our level of indebtedness, general business and economic conditions, the impact of competition, the seasonality of the company's business, adverse weather conditions, future commodity prices, guest and employee complaints and litigation, fuel and utility costs, labor costs and availability, changes in consumer and corporate spending, changes in demographic trends, changes in governmental regulations, unfavorable publicity, our ability to open new stores, and acts of God.  Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements, and the Company therefore cautions you against relying on such forward-looking statements.  Dave & Buster's intends these forward-looking statements to speak only as of the time of this release and does not undertake to update or revise them as more appropriate information becomes available, except as required by law.

Non-GAAP Measures
To supplement its consolidated financial statements, which are prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, the Company uses the following non-GAAP financial measures: EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Store EBITDA (collectively the "non-GAAP financial measures"). The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures for financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. The Company believes that they provide useful information about operating results, enhance the overall understanding of past financial performance and future prospects, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in its financial and operational decision making. The Company also believes that these measures provide useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and our capacity to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures and are used by many investors, analysts and rating agencies as a measure of performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is consistent with that reported to our lenders to allow for leverage-based assessments. The non-GAAP measures used by the Company in this press release may be different from the methods used by other companies.

DAVE & BUSTER'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
ASSETS		July 31, 2016				January 31, 2016
		(unaudited)				(audited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	23,250			$	25,495
Other current assets			50,181				84,585
Total current assets			73,431				110,080
Property and equipment, net			574,418				523,891
Intangible and other assets, net			370,440				369,730
Total assets		$	1,018,289			$	1,003,701
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Total current liabilities		$	170,068			$	156,647
Other long-term liabilities			155,907				170,800
Long-term debt, net			282,274				329,916
Stockholders' equity			410,040				346,338
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,018,289			$	1,003,701

DAVE & BUSTER'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		13 Weeks Ended								13 Weeks Ended
		July 31, 2016								August 2, 2015
Food and beverage revenues		$	107,672				44.1	%		$	99,213				45.6	%
Amusement and other revenues			136,658				55.9	%			118,126				54.4	%
Total revenues			244,330				100.0	%			217,339				100.0	%
Cost of food and beverage (as a percentage of food and beverage revenues)			27,573				25.6	%			25,880				26.1	%
Cost of amusement and other (as a percentage of amusement and other revenues)			16,535				12.1	%			15,074				12.8	%
Total cost of products			44,108				18.1	%			40,954				18.8	%
Operating payroll and benefits			55,203				22.6	%			50,081				23.0	%
Other store operating expenses			71,069				29.0	%			63,813				29.5	%
General and administrative expenses			13,585				5.6	%			13,501				6.2	%
Depreciation and amortization expense			21,434				8.8	%			19,638				9.0	%
Pre-opening costs			2,932				1.2	%			2,585				1.2	%
Total operating costs			208,331				85.3	%			190,572				87.7	%
Operating income			35,999				14.7	%			26,767				12.3	%
Interest expense, net			1,885				0.7	%			2,223				1.0	%
Loss on debt retirement			-				-				6,822				3.1	%
Income before provision for income taxes			34,114				14.0	%			17,722				8.2	%
Provision for income taxes			12,602				5.2	%			5,149				2.4	%
Net income		$	21,512				8.8	%		$	12,573				5.8	%
Net income per share:
Basic		$	0.51							$	0.31
Diluted		$	0.50							$	0.29
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic shares			41,870,680								40,850,649
Diluted shares			43,283,834								42,706,155
Other information:
Stores open at end of period			86								76
Note: Our Williamsville (Buffalo), New York location (which closed on September 27, 2015) is included in our store count for fiscal 2015.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown:
		13 Weeks Ended								13 Weeks Ended
		July 31, 2016								August 2, 2015
Net income		$	21,512				8.8	%		$	12,573				5.8	%
Add back:  Interest expense, net			1,885								2,223
Loss on debt retirement			-								6,822
Provision for income taxes			12,602								5,149
Depreciation and amortization			21,434								19,638
EBITDA			57,433				23.5	%			46,405				21.4	%
Add back:  Loss on asset disposal			303								580
Share-based compensation			1,637								1,072
Pre-opening costs			2,932								2,585
Change in deferred amusement revenue and
ticket liability			1,861								1,834
Transaction costs and Other			52								226
Adjusted EBITDA		$	64,218				26.3	%		$	52,702				24.2	%
EBITDA		$	57,433				23.5	%		$	46,405				21.4	%
Add back:  General and administrative expenses			13,585								13,501
Pre-opening costs			2,932								2,585
Store EBITDA		$	73,950				30.3	%		$	62,491				28.8	%

DAVE & BUSTER'S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
		26 Weeks Ended								26 Weeks Ended
		July 31, 2016								August 2, 2015
Food and beverage revenues		$	224,796				44.4	%		$	202,778				46.1	%
Amusement and other revenues			281,521				55.6	%			237,236				53.9	%
Total revenues			506,317				100.0	%			440,014				100.0	%
Cost of food and beverage (as a percentage of food and beverage revenues)			57,212				25.5	%			52,660				26.0	%
Cost of amusement and other (as a percentage of amusement and other revenues)			33,047				11.7	%			30,840				13.0	%
Total cost of products			90,259				17.8	%			83,500				19.0	%
Operating payroll and benefits			111,580				22.0	%			99,073				22.5	%
Other store operating expenses			142,599				28.2	%			125,007				28.4	%
General and administrative expenses			26,625				5.3	%			26,345				6.0	%
Depreciation and amortization expense			42,244				8.3	%			38,215				8.7	%
Pre-opening costs			5,837				1.2	%			5,359				1.2	%
Total operating costs			419,144				82.8	%			377,499				85.8	%
Operating income			87,173				17.2	%			62,515				14.2	%
Interest expense, net			3,995				0.8	%			6,873				1.5	%
Loss on debt retirement			-				-				6,822				1.6	%
Income before provision for income taxes			83,178				16.4	%			48,820				11.1	%
Provision for income taxes			30,505				6.0	%			16,705				3.8	%
Net income		$	52,673				10.4	%		$	32,115				7.3	%
Net income per share:
Basic		$	1.26							$	0.79
Diluted		$	1.22							$	0.76
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic shares			41,765,280								40,542,895
Diluted shares			43,217,406								42,527,135
Other information:
Stores open at end of period			86								76
Note: Our Williamsville (Buffalo), New York location (which closed on September 27, 2015) is included in our store count for fiscal 2015.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods shown:
		26 Weeks Ended								26 Weeks Ended
		July 31, 2016								August 2, 2015
Net income		$	52,673				10.4	%		$	32,115				7.3	%
Add back:  Interest expense, net			3,995								6,873
Loss on debt retirement			-								6,822
Provision for income taxes			30,505								16,705
Depreciation and amortization			42,244								38,215
EBITDA			129,417				25.6	%			100,730				22.9	%
Add back:  Loss on asset disposal			473								869
Share-based compensation			2,997								1,621
Pre-opening costs			5,837								5,359
Change in deferred amusement revenue and
ticket liability			4,904								4,717
Transaction and other costs			73								1,286
Adjusted EBITDA		$	143,701				28.4	%		$	114,582				26.0	%
EBITDA		$	129,417				25.6	%		$	100,730				22.9	%
Add back:  General and administrative expenses			26,625								26,345
Pre-opening costs			5,837								5,359
Store EBITDA		$	161,879				32.0	%		$	132,434				30.1	%

For Investor Relations Inquiries:
Raphael Gross of ICR
203.682.8253