SEC Filing | Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc.

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Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED August 2, 2015

¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

Commission File No. 001-35664

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

35-2382255

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2481 Mañana Drive

Dallas, Texas 75220

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(214) 357-9588

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x

As of September 2, 2015, there were 41,143,723 shares of the Issuer’s common stock outstanding.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

FORM 10-Q FOR PERIOD ENDED AUGUST 2, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		PAGE

PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		3

ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		17

ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		35

ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		35

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS		35

ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS		36

ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS		36

ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES		36

ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES		36

ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION		36

ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS		37

	SIGNATURES		38

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	August 2, 2015			February 1, 2015
	(unaudited)			(audited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	23,722		$	70,876
Inventories		19,556			18,457
Prepaid expenses		11,989			10,641
Deferred income taxes		25,235			30,962
Income taxes receivable		3,824			2,421
Other current assets		15,858			9,923

Total current assets		100,184			143,280
Property and equipment (net of $284,735 and $252,160 accumulated depreciation as of August 2, 2015 and February 1, 2015, respectively)		480,927			436,048
Tradenames		79,000			79,000
Goodwill		272,624			272,592
Other assets and deferred charges		18,497			19,769

Total assets	$	951,232		$	950,689

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current installments of long-term debt	$	7,500		$	—
Accounts payable		42,615			35,001
Accrued liabilities		93,723			89,198
Income taxes payable		1,552			1,570
Deferred income taxes		909			371

Total current liabilities		146,299			126,140
Deferred income taxes		21,811			27,828
Deferred occupancy costs		110,390			99,847
Other liabilities		10,586			9,157
Long-term debt, net of unamortized discount		353,500			429,020
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 400,000,000 authorized shares; 41,122,534 and 40,217,640 issued shares as of August 2, 2015 and February 1, 2015, respectively		411			402
Preferred stock, 50,000,000 authorized; none issued		—			—
Paid-in capital		270,411			253,685
Treasury stock, 0 and 248,412 shares as of August 2, 2015 and February 1, 2015, respectively		—			(1,189	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(736	)		(646	)
Retained earnings		38,560			6,445

Total stockholders’ equity		308,646			258,697

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	951,232		$	950,689

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Food and beverage revenues	$	99,213		$	84,916
Amusement and other revenues		118,126			96,469

Total revenues		217,339			181,385
Cost of food and beverage		25,880			21,832
Cost of amusement and other		15,074			14,049

Total cost of products		40,954			35,881
Operating payroll and benefits		50,081			42,330
Other store operating expenses		63,813			57,589
General and administrative expenses		13,501			9,604
Depreciation and amortization expense		19,638			17,386
Pre-opening costs		2,585			1,848

Total operating costs		190,572			164,638

Operating income		26,767			16,747
Interest expense, net		2,223			11,684
Loss on debt retirement		6,822			25,986

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		17,722			(20,923	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		5,149			(7,045	)

Net income (loss)		12,573			(13,878	)

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss)		(245	)		17

Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	12,328		$	(13,861	)

Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.31		$	(0.42	)
Diluted	$	0.29		$	(0.42	)
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic		40,850,649			33,204,272
Diluted		42,706,155			33,204,272

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Food and beverage revenues	$	202,778		$	177,898
Amusement and other revenues		237,236			198,310

Total revenues		440,014			376,208
Cost of food and beverage		52,660			45,690
Cost of amusement and other		30,840			27,244

Total cost of products		83,500			72,934
Operating payroll and benefits		99,073			85,120
Other store operating expenses		125,007			114,142
General and administrative expenses		26,345			20,069
Depreciation and amortization expense		38,215			34,673
Pre-opening costs		5,359			4,292

Total operating costs		377,499			331,230

Operating income		62,515			44,978
Interest expense, net		6,873			23,696
Loss on debt retirement		6,822			25,986

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		48,820			(4,704	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		16,705			(2,287	)

Net income (loss)		32,115			(2,417	)

Unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss)		(90	)		66

Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	32,025		$	(2,351	)

Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.79		$	(0.07	)
Diluted	$	0.76		$	(0.07	)
Weighted average shares used in per share calculations:
Basic		40,542,895			33,204,272
Diluted		42,527,135			33,204,272

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands, except share amounts)


	Common stock				Paid-in capital			Treasury stock at cost						Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Retained earnings		Total
	Shares		Amt.		Paid-in capital			Shares			Amt.			Accumulated other comprehensive loss			Retained earnings		Total
Balance February 1, 2015 (audited)		40,217,640	$	402	$	253,685			248,412		$	(1,189	)	$	(646	)	$	6,445	$	258,697

Net income		—		—		—			—			—			—			32,115		32,115
Unrealized foreign currency translation gain (loss)		—		—		—			—			—			(90	)		—		(90	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		1,621			—			—			—			—		1,621
Excess income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation plans		—		—		11,148			—			—			—			—		11,148
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options		904,894		9		4,043			—			—			—			—		4,052
Sale of treasury stock		—		—		(86	)		(248,412	)		1,189			—			—		1,103

Balance August 2, 2015 (unaudited)		41,122,534	$	411	$	270,411			—		$	—		$	(736	)	$	38,560	$	308,646

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	32,115		$	(2,417	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense		38,215			34,673
Payment of accreted interest at debt retirement		—			(50,193	)
Accretion of note discount		—			8,341
Deferred income tax benefit (expense)		245			(4,620	)
Excess income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation plans		(11,148	)		—
Loss on disposal of fixed assets		869			622
Loss on debt retirement		6,790			6,994
Share-based compensation charges		1,621			503
Other, net		699			1,437
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventories		(1,099	)		100
Prepaid expenses		(1,297	)		(1,448	)
Income taxes receivable		(1,403	)		1,054
Other current assets		(6,077	)		1,119
Other assets and deferred charges		(2,968	)		(506	)
Accounts payable		1,927			5,325
Accrued liabilities		3,893			2,903
Income taxes payable		11,130			(152	)
Deferred occupancy costs		10,538			5,925
Other liabilities		1,430			791

Net cash provided by operating activities		85,480			10,451

Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		(78,003	)		(59,374	)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment		134			22
Receipts on notes receivable		1,220			—

Net cash used in investing activities		(76,649	)		(59,352	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under new credit facility		434,000			—
Repayments of new credit facility		(73,000	)		—
Borrowings under prior senior credit facility		—			528,675
Repayments of prior senior credit facilities and notes		(430,000	)		(444,375	)
Debt issuance costs		(3,288	)		(8,128	)
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock and exercise of stock options		5,155			—
Excess income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation plans		11,148			—

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(55,985	)		76,172

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(47,154	)		27,271
Beginning cash and cash equivalents		70,876			38,080

Ending cash and cash equivalents	$	23,722		$	65,351

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net	$	6,661		$	1,348
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized	$	6,714		$	17,474
Increase (decrease) in fixed asset accrued liabilities	$	5,687		$	(6,649	)
Cash paid for interest and debt fees, related to debt retirement	$	32		$	18,992
Cash paid for settlement of accreted interest of senior discount notes	$	—		$	50,193

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Note 1: Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Description of business and basis of presentation — Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (“D&B Entertainment” or the “Company”), is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Dallas, Texas. As of August 2, 2015, Oak Hill Capital Partners III, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, III, L.P. (collectively, the “Oak Hill Funds”) beneficially owned approximately 40.1% of the Company’s outstanding stock. Certain members of our Board of Directors and our management beneficially owned approximately 1.1% of our outstanding stock. The remaining 58.8% is owned by the public.

D&B Entertainment owns no significant assets or operations other than the ownership of all the common stock of Dave & Buster’s Holdings, Inc. (“D&B Holdings”). D&B Holdings owns no significant assets or operations other than the ownership of all the common stock of Dave & Buster’s, Inc. (“D&B Inc”). References to the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our” refer to D&B Entertainment and its subsidiaries and any predecessor companies. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s operating activities are conducted through D&B Inc. All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, unless otherwise noted, except share and per share amounts.

We operate our business as one operating and one reportable segment. Our one industry segment is the operation of high-volume entertainment and dining venues under the names “Dave & Buster’s” and “Dave & Buster’s Grand Sports Café”. We operate on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday after the Saturday closest to January 31. Each quarterly period has 13 weeks, except for a 53 week year when the fourth quarter has 14 weeks. Our fiscal years ending January 31, 2016 (“fiscal 2015”) and February 1, 2015 (“fiscal 2014”), both consist of 52 weeks.

As of August 2, 2015, there were 76 stores in the United States and Canada. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2015 we opened four new stores and permanently closed our location in Farmingdale (Long Island), New York (“Farmingdale”) on February 8, 2015. Revenues for our Farmingdale store were $110 and $4,328 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, respectively. Operating loss for this store was $380 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and operating income was $698 for the same period of fiscal 2014. On August 12, 2014, we permanently closed our location in Kensington/Bethesda, Maryland (“Bethesda”). Revenues for our Bethesda store were $5,231 and operating income was $865 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Subsequent to the end of our second quarter, we opened a new store in Edina (Minneapolis), Minnesota on August 3, 2015.

In October 2014, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized share count to 450,000,000 shares of stock, including 400,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each with a par value $0.01 per share and to split our common stock 224.9835679 for 1. Additionally, we completed our initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 6,764,705 shares of common stock at a price of $16.00 per share. Unless otherwise noted herein, historic share data has been adjusted to give effect to the stock split.

In February 2015, we completed another follow-on offering of 7,590,000 shares of our common stock (including the underwriters overallotment option of 990,000 shares) at a price of $29.50 per share. All of these shares were offered by the selling stockholders. In connection with the offering, 300,151 options were exercised at a weighted average price of $4.49. We issued new shares in satisfaction of this exercise. We received $1,346 upon the exercise of options which were sold as part of this offering.

On May 27, 2015, we completed a follow-on offering of 9,775,000 shares of our common stock (including the underwriters overallotment option of 1,275,000 shares) at a price of $31.50 per share. All of these shares were offered by the selling stockholders. In connection with the offering, 853,155 options were exercised at a weighted average price of $4.46. We issued 604,743 new shares and utilized 248,412 treasury shares in satisfaction of this exercise. We received $3,809 upon the exercise of options which were sold as part of this offering.

Related party transactions—We have an expense reimbursement agreement with Oak Hill Capital Management, LLC (“Oak Hill Capital”), which provides for the reimbursement of certain costs and expenses. We made payments to Oak Hill Capital of $17 and $31 during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and $7 and $34 during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014, respectively. We paid compensation of $0 and $39 during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and $59 and $118 during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014, respectively, to David Jones who serves as a senior advisor to the Oak Hill Funds, and Alan Lacy, who served as a senior advisor to the Oak Hill Funds until December 2014.

Interim financial statements — The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States for interim financial information as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Operating results for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending January 31, 2016. Our quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended February 1, 2015, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.

Concentration of credit risk — Financial instruments which potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk are cash and cash equivalents. We currently maintain our day-to-day operating cash balances with major financial institutions. At times, our operating cash balances may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit. From time to time, we invest temporary excess cash in overnight investments with expected minimal volatility, such as money market funds. Although we maintain balances that exceed the FDIC insured limit, we have not experienced any losses related to this balance, and we believe this credit risk to be minimal.

Use of estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include estimates for impairment of goodwill, useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of equity-based compensation, self-insurance reserves, deferred revenue on our Power Cards and gift cards, reserve for outstanding tickets, estimated effective tax rates and deferred tax valuation allowances.

Recent accounting pronouncements— In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 requires inventory that is recorded using the first-in, first-out method to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We are currently do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The amendments in this update provide guidance to customers as to whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. ASU 2015-05 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in ASU 2015-03 require the debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. As of August 2, 2015, if we were to adopt ASU 2015-03, $3,138 of net deferred financing costs would be reclassified from “Other assets and deferred charges” to a reduction in the carrying amount of our debt.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Note 2: Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following as of:


	August 2, 2015		February 1, 2015
Compensation and benefits	$	21,503	$	22,735
Deferred amusement revenue		21,075		17,037
Rent		11,984		10,874
Amusement redemption liability		11,494		10,815
Deferred gift card revenue		5,223		6,162
Property taxes		4,553		3,827
Sales and use tax		4,244		5,244
Current portion of long-term insurance reserves		3,361		3,361
Customer deposits		2,319		2,086
Other		7,967		7,057

Total accrued liabilities	$	93,723	$	89,198

Note 3: Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following as of:


	August 2, 2015			February 1, 2015
Credit facility - term	$	150,000		$	—
Credit facility - revolver		211,000			—
July 2014 credit facility		—			430,000

Total debt outstanding		361,000			430,000
Less:
Unamortized debt discount		—			(980	)
Current installments		(7,500	)		—

Long-term debt, less current installments, net of unamortized discount	$	353,500		$	429,020

New Credit Facility— On May 15, 2015, we entered into a new senior secured credit facility that provides a $150,000 term loan facility and a $350,000 revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of May 15, 2020. The $350,000 revolving credit facility includes a $20,000 letter of credit sub facility and a $10,000 swingline sub facility. The revolving credit facility is available to provide financing for general purposes. The Credit Facility is secured by the assets of D&B Inc and is unconditionally guaranteed by D&B Holdings and each of its direct and indirect domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The proceeds of the Credit Facility were used to refinance in full the balance of a prior credit facility of $430,000 (the “July 2014 credit facility”) and to pay related interest and expenses. As a result of the current refinancing, we incurred a loss on extinguishment charge of $6,822, consisting of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, unamortized discount and cash paid for related debt fees. Additionally, we utilized $73,000 of available cash on hand to pay down a portion of the outstanding revolving portion of the Credit Facility.

As of August 2, 2015, we had letters of credit outstanding of $5,185 and $133,815 of borrowing available under our Credit Facility. We believe that the carrying amount of the Credit Facility approximates its fair value because the interest rates are adjusted regularly based on current market conditions. The fair value of the Company’s Credit Facility was determined to be a Level Two instrument as defined by GAAP.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

The interest rates per annum applicable to loans, other than swingline loans, under the Credit Facility are currently set based on a defined LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. Swingline loans bear interest at a base rate plus an applicable margin. The loans bear interest subject to a pricing grid based on a secured leveraged ratio, at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.50% to 2.25% for the term loans and the revolving loans. The stated interest rate on the Credit Facility at August 2, 2015 was 2.19%. The weighted average effective interest rate incurred on our borrowings under the Credit Facility was 2.55%. The weighted average effective rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs, commitment and other fees.

Prior credit facilities—During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, proceeds of $528,675 from the July 2014 credit facility were used to refinance all the outstanding credit facility and note balances at that time and to pay related premiums, interest and expenses of $30,850. The outstanding credit facility and notes at July 25, 2014 included $143,509 on a senior secured credit facility, $200,000 aggregate principal amount of 11.0% senior notes due June 1, 2018, and the outstanding 12.25% senior discount notes due February 15, 2016 (with a $150,193 accreted value as of July 25, 2014). As a result of the refinancing, we incurred a loss on extinguishment charge of $25,986, consisting of premiums for early repayment, additional interest charges, and write-off of unamortized debt issue costs and unamortized discount.

Future debt obligations — The following table sets forth our future debt principal payment obligations as of:


	August 2, 2015
1 year or less	$	7,500
2 years		7,500
3 years		7,500
4 years		7,500
5 years		331,000
Thereafter		—

Total future payments	$	361,000

The following tables set forth our recorded interest expense, net for the periods indicated:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
D&B Inc debt-based interest expense	$	2,649		$	7,110
D&B Entertainment note interest accretion		—			4,018
Amortization of issuance cost and discount		193			756
Gain on early collection on a note receivable		(493	)		—
Interest income		(79	)		(67	)
Less capitalized interest		(47	)		(133	)

Total interest expense, net	$	2,223		$	11,684

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
D&B Inc debt-based interest expense	$	7,350		$	14,173
D&B Entertainment note interest accretion		—			8,341
Amortization of issuance cost and discount		526			1,556
Gain on early collection of a note receivable		(493	)		—
Interest income		(146	)		(135	)
Less capitalized interest		(364	)		(239	)

Total interest expense, net	$	6,873		$	23,696

During the second quarter ended August 2, 2015, a note receivable, with an outstanding principal balance of $1,220, was fully collected prior to the scheduled repayment terms. The carrying value of the note was $727, net of discount. Interest income for the quarter includes a $493 gain related to the collection of the note receivable.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Note 4: Income Taxes

The following table sets forth our provision (benefit) for income taxes for the periods indicated:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Current provision (benefit):
Federal	$	8,757		$	(1,162	)
State and local		1,773			78
Foreign		(57	)		89
Deferred benefit		(5,324	)		(6,050	)

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	5,149		$	(7,045	)


	Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015		Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Current provision (benefit):
Federal	$	12,749	$	982
State and local		3,506		1,111
Foreign		205		240
Deferred expense (benefit)		245		(4,620	)

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	16,705	$	(2,287	)

At August 2, 2015, we had a valuation allowance of $848 against our deferred tax assets. The ultimate realization of our deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income in the jurisdiction and during periods in which temporary differences become deductible. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we considered whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Based on the level of recent historical taxable income; consistent generation of annual taxable income, and estimations of future taxable income we have concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize the federal tax benefits associated with our deferred tax assets. We assessed the realizability of the deferred tax assets associated with state taxes, foreign taxes and uncertain tax positions and have concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize only a portion of these benefits. Accordingly, we have established a valuation allowance to reduce those deferred tax assets to an amount which we believe will ultimately be realized.

As of August 2, 2015, we had $1,885 remaining available federal tax credit carryovers, including $1,822 of general business credits and $63 of Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryovers, and $43,156 of state net operating loss carryforwards. There is a 20 year carry-forward on general business credits and AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely. The general business credits do not begin to expire until 2030 and are expected to be utilized in fiscal 2015 based on current enacted tax laws. As of August 2, 2015, we have no federal net operating loss carryforwards. Generally, state net operating losses can be carried forward 20 years. State net operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2024. As of August 2, 2015, we could not conclude that it was more likely than not that all of our state net operating loss carryforwards, when considered on a state by state basis, will be fully utilized prior to their expiration. Included in our total valuation allowance is $646 related to state net operating losses that may not be realized.

As of August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, the accrued interest and penalties on the unrecognized tax benefits were $371 and $308, respectively, excluding any related income tax benefits. The Company recorded accrued interest related to the unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as a component of the provision for income taxes recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

We currently anticipate that approximately $14 of unrecognized tax benefits will be settled through federal and state audits or will be recognized as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations during fiscal 2015. Future recognition of potential interest or penalties, if any, will be recorded as a component of income tax expense. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, $744 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

We file a consolidated income tax return with all our domestic subsidiaries, which are periodically audited by various federal, state and foreign jurisdictions. We are generally no longer subject to federal, state, or foreign income tax examinations for years prior to 2010.

Note 5: Commitments and Contingencies

We are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including claims alleging violations of federal and state law regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters. In the opinion of management, based upon consultation with legal counsel, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such legal proceedings and claims will not materially affect the consolidated results of our operations or our financial condition.

We lease certain property and equipment under various non-cancelable operating leases. Some of the leases include options for renewal or extension on various terms. Most of the leases require us to pay property taxes, insurance and maintenance of the leased assets. Certain leases also have provisions for additional contingent rentals based on revenues.

The following table sets forth our lease commitments as of August 2, 2015:


1 year or less	$	68,124
2 years		67,675
3 years		65,497
4 years		61,447
5 years		54,288
Thereafter		415,095

Total future payments	$	732,126

We have signed operating lease agreements for our store located in Edina (Minneapolis), Minnesota which opened for business on August 3, 2015 and future sites located in San Antonio, Texas, Friendswood (Houston), Texas and Glendale (Phoenix), Arizona, which are expected to open in the second half of fiscal 2015 or early fiscal 2016. We also have a signed lease agreement for a future site in Buffalo, New York which will replace an existing location and is expected to open in the third quarter of fiscal 2015. The landlord has fulfilled the obligations to commit us to the lease terms under these agreements and therefore, the future obligations related to these locations are included in the table above.

As of August 2, 2015, we have signed twelve additional lease agreements for future sites. Our commitments under these agreements are contingent upon among other things, the landlord’s delivery of access to the premises for construction. Future obligations related to these agreements are not included in the table. Subsequent to the quarter ended August 2, 2015, our future site located in Springfield (Greater DC), Virginia, included in the twelve lease agreements noted above, has been delivered by the landlord resulting in future commitments of approximately $27,465.

Note 6: Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) represents net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS represents net income divided by the basic weighted average number of common shares plus, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options or the fulfillment of restricted and performance share

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

vesting conditions. The dilutive effect of potential common shares is determined using the treasury stock method, whereby outstanding stock options are assumed exercised at the beginning of the reporting period and the exercise proceeds from such stock options, the average measured but unrecognized compensation cost during the period and certain tax benefits that will be credited to additional paid-in capital upon exercise are assumed to be used to repurchase our common stock at the average market price during the period.

The following tables set forth the computation of EPS, basic and diluted for the periods indicated:


(in thousands, except share and per share data)	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015		Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	12,573	$	(13,878	)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		40,850,649		33,204,272
Potential common shares for equity-based awards		1,855,506		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		42,706,155		33,204,272
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.31	$	(0.42	)
Diluted	$	0.29	$	(0.42	)


(in thousands, except share and per share data)	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015		Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Numerator:
Net income (loss)	$	32,115	$	(2,417	)
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		40,542,895		33,204,272
Potential common shares for equity-based awards		1,984,240		—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		42,527,135		33,204,272
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.79	$	(0.07	)
Diluted	$	0.76	$	(0.07	)

We had approximately 3,544,420 and 2,310,131 time-based and vested performance-based stock option awards outstanding under our stock option plans as of August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, respectively, which were included in the computation of potential common shares. Unvested performance-based stock options under our stock option plans were not included in the calculation of potential common shares as they did not meet the criteria for inclusion per GAAP guidance.

Note 7: Equity-based Compensation

As of August 2, 2015, options to purchase 3,544,420 shares of common stock were outstanding; of which 2,591,950 were vested and 952,470 were unvested. Current unvested options vest over time.

For the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015, there were exercises of stock options for 853,155 and 1,153,306 shares. There were no grants issued in the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2015 and grants of 258,709 stock options and 71,741 shares of restricted stock in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015. All stock options granted during fiscal 2015 are time-based options. Restricted stock grants included 10,799 time-based shares granted to certain Board of Director members and 60,942 performance-based restricted stock units granted to management and certain other employees of the company.

DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Restricted shares vest over time or upon the Company achieving certain financial goals. We base the amount of unearned compensation recorded for restricted shares on the market value of the shares on the date of issuance. As of August 2, 2015, we had total unrecognized compensation expense of $7,424, related to unvested stock options and restricted shares, which we expect to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Total stock-based compensation expense was $1,072 and $229 for the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014 and was $1,621 and $503 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, respectively.

2014 Stock Incentive Plan

The 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“2014 Stock Incentive Plan”) allows the granting of incentive and nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards and cash-based awards to employees, directors, and consultants of the Company. The maximum number of shares of common stock issuable under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan is 3,100,000 shares. The term of service-based stock options is determined at the date of grant. Performance-based stock options can be based upon a variety of performance measures as defined in the plan document. Each award agreement will specify the effect of a holder’s termination of employment with, or service for, the Company. Options granted under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan terminate on the ten-year anniversary of the date of grant.

2010 Stock Incentive Plan

The Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. 2010 Management Incentive Plan (“2010 Stock Incentive Plan”) provided for the granting of options to acquire stock in D&B Entertainment to certain of our employees, outside directors and consultants. The options are subject to either time-based vesting or performance-based vesting. Options granted under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan terminate on the ten-year anniversary of the date of grant. All performance-based options outstanding prior to our IPO were vested in connection with our IPO. Upon adoption of the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, no further grants are permitted under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan.

Additionally as a result of the IPO, all stock option awards granted prior to the IPO were adjusted to affect the 224.9835679 for 1 stock split on both number of outstanding options and the exercise price.

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes in Item 1 and with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Unless otherwise specified, the meaning of all defined terms in Management’s Discussion and Analysis are consistent with the meanings of such terms as defined in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. This discussion contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this quarterly report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report as a result of various factors, including those set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2015. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

General

We are a leading owner and operator of high-volume venues in North America that combine dining and entertainment for both adults and families. Founded in 1982, the core of our concept is to offer our customers the opportunity to “Eat Drink Play and Watch” all in one location. Eat and Drink are offered through a full menu of “Fun American New Gourmet” entrées and appetizers and a full selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages. Our Play and Watch offerings provide an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. Our customers are a balanced mix of men and women, primarily aged between 21 and 39, and we believe we also serve as an attractive venue for families with children and teenagers. We believe we appeal to a diverse customer base by providing a highly customizable experience in a dynamic and fun setting.

Our stores average 44,000 square feet, range in size between 16,000 and 66,000 square feet and are open seven days a week, with hours of operation typically from 11:30 a.m. to midnight on Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Our Growth Strategies and Outlook

Our growth is based primarily on the following strategies:

•

Pursue new store growth;

•

Grow our comparable stores sales; and

•

Expand the Dave & Buster’s brand internationally.

We intend for new store expansion to be a key growth driver. Our long-term plan is to open new stores at an annual rate of approximately 10% of our existing stores. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2015, the Company opened four new stores. As of August 2, 2015, there were 76 stores in the United States and Canada. Subsequent to the end of our second quarter, we opened a new store in Edina (Minneapolis), Minnesota on August 3, 2015 and plan to open an additional 3 to 4 stores and relocate one existing store in fiscal 2015. To increase comparable store sales we plan to provide our customers with the latest exciting games by updating approximately 10% of our games each year, leverage the D&B Sports concept by building awareness through national cable advertising and drive customer frequency by enhancing the in-store and out-of-store customer experience via digital and mobile strategic initiatives.

We believe that in addition to the growth potential that exists in North America, the Dave & Buster’s brand can also have significant appeal in certain international markets. We are engaged in discussions with potential international partners and we are targeting our first international opening outside of Canada in 2017.

We believe that we are well positioned for growth with a corporate infrastructure that can support a larger store base than we currently have, and that we will benefit from economies of scale as we expand.

For further information about our growth strategies and outlook, see the section entitled “Business – Our Growth Strategies” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Key Events

In October 2014, we amended and restated our certificate of incorporation to increase our authorized share count to 450,000,000 shares of stock, including 400,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, each with a par value of $0.01 per share and to split our common stock 224.9835679 for 1. Additionally, we completed our initial public offering, (the “IPO”) of 6,764,705 shares of common stock at a price of $16.00 per share. Unless otherwise noted herein, historic share data has been adjusted to give effect to the stock split.

In February 2015, we completed a follow-on offering of a total of 7,590,000 shares of our common stock (including the underwriters overallotment option of 990,000 shares) at a price of $29.50 per share. All of these shares were offered by the selling stockholders. In connection with the offering, 300,151 options were exercised at a weighted average price of $4.49. We issued new shares in satisfaction of this exercise. We received $1,346 upon the exercise of options which were sold as part of this offering.

On May 15, 2015, we entered into a new senior secured credit facility that provides a $150,000 term loan facility and a $350,000 revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The proceeds of the Credit Facility were used to refinance in full the balance of a prior credit facility of $430,000 (the “July 2014 credit facility”) and to pay related interest and expenses. As a result of the refinancing, we expect to have lower interest expense.

On May 27, 2015, we completed another follow-on offering of 9,775,000 shares of our common stock (including the underwriters overallotment option of 1,275,000 shares) at a price of $31.50 per share. All of these shares were offered by the selling stockholders. In connection with the offering, 853,155 options were exercised at a weighted average price of $4.46. We issued 604,743 new shares and utilized 248,412 treasury shares, in satisfaction of this exercise. We received $3,809 upon the exercise of options which were sold as part of this offering.

As of August 2, 2015, the Company had a total of 41,133,333 common shares outstanding (consisting of 41,122,534 common shares and 10,799 unvested restricted shares). No preferred shares were issued or outstanding. Oak Hill Capital Partners III, L.P. and Oak Hill Capital Management Partners, III, L.P. (collectively, the “Oak Hill Funds”) beneficially own approximately 40.1% of our outstanding stock and certain members of our Board of Directors and our management beneficially owned approximately 1.1% of our outstanding common stock. The remaining 58.8% is owned by the public.

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (“D&B Entertainment”) has no material assets or operations other than 100% ownership of the outstanding common stock of Dave & Buster’s Holdings, Inc. (“D&B Holdings”). D&B Holdings has no material assets or operations other than 100% ownership of the outstanding common stock of Dave & Buster’s, Inc. (“D&B Inc”). As such, the following discussion, unless specifically identified otherwise, addresses the operations of D&B Inc.

Key Measures of Our Performance

We monitor and analyze a number of key performance measures to manage our business and evaluate financial and operating performance. These measures include:

Comparable store sales — Comparable store sales are a year-over-year comparison of sales at stores open at the end of the period which have been opened for at least 18 months as of the beginning of each of the fiscal years. It is a key performance indicator used within the industry and is indicative of acceptance of our initiatives as well as local economic and consumer trends. Our comparable stores consisted of 60 and 57 stores as of August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, respectively. Fiscal 2015 comparable store sales exclude sales from our Farmingdale (Long Island), New York (“Farmingdale”) location, which permanently closed on February 8, 2015. Fiscal 2014 comparable store sales exclude sales from our Kensington/Bethesda, Maryland (“Bethesda”) location, which permanently closed on August 12, 2014.

New store openings — Our ability to expand our business and reach new customers is influenced by the opening of additional stores in both new and existing markets. The success of our new stores is indicative of our brand appeal and the efficacy of our site selection and operating models.

Our new locations typically open with sales volumes in excess of their run-rate levels, which we refer to as a “honeymoon” effect. We expect our new store volumes in year two to be 15% to 20% lower and to grow in line with the rest of our comparable store base thereafter. We also expect our Store-level Adjusted EBITDA margins to be two to five percentage points lower in the second full year of operations than our year one targets. As a result of the substantial revenues associated with each new store and the seasonality of our business, the number and timing of new store openings will result in significant fluctuations in quarterly results.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results provided in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we provide non-GAAP measures which present operating results on an adjusted basis. These are supplemental measures of performance that are not required by or presented in accordance with GAAP and include Store-level EBITDA, Store-level EBITDA Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin. These non-GAAP measures do not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flows from operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly entitled measures reported by other companies and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Although we use these non-GAAP measures to assess the operating performance of our business, they have significant limitations as an analytical tool because they exclude certain material costs. For example, Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account a number of significant items, including our interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense. Because Adjusted EBITDA does not account for these expenses, its utility as a measure of our operating performance has material limitations. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA excludes pre-opening costs and adjustments for changes in the accruals for deferred amusement revenue and ticket liability, which we expect customers to redeem in future periods and which may be important in analyzing our GAAP results. Our calculations of Adjusted EBITDA adjust for these amounts because they vary from period to period and do not directly relate to the ongoing operations of the current underlying business of our stores and therefore complicate comparison of underlying business between periods. Nevertheless, because of the limitations described above management does not view Adjusted EBITDA in isolation and also uses other measures, such as net sales, gross margin, operating income and net income (loss), to measure operating performance.

Store-level EBITDA and Store-level EBITDA Margin — We define “Store-level EBITDA” as net income (loss), plus interest expense, net, loss on debt retirement, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, general and administrative expenses and pre-opening costs. “Store-level EBITDA Margin” is defined as Store-level EBITDA divided by total revenues. Store-level EBITDA Margin allows us to evaluate operating performance of each store across stores of varying size and volume.

We believe that Store-level EBITDA is another useful measure in evaluating our operating performance because it removes the impact of general and administrative expenses, which are not incurred at the store-level, and the costs of opening new stores, which are non-recurring at the store-level, and thereby enables the comparability of the operating performance of our stores for the periods presented. We also believe that Store-level EBITDA is a useful measure in evaluating our operating performance within the entertainment and dining industry because it permits the evaluation of store-level productivity, efficiency and performance, and we use Store-level EBITDA as a means of evaluating store financial performance compared with our competitors. However, because this measure excludes significant items such as general and administrative expenses and pre-opening costs, as well as our interest expense and depreciation and amortization expense, which are important in evaluating our consolidated financial performance from period to period, the value of this measure is limited as a measure of our consolidated financial performance.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin — We define “Adjusted EBITDA” as net income (loss), plus interest expense, net, loss on debt retirement, provision (benefit) for income taxes, depreciation and amortization expense, loss on asset disposal, share-based compensation, currency transaction (gain) loss, pre-opening costs, reimbursement of affiliate and other expenses, change in deferred amusement revenue and ticket liability estimations, transaction costs and other. “Adjusted EBITDA Margin” is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues.

Adjusted EBITDA is presented because we believe that it provides useful information to investors regarding our operating performance and our capacity to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is used by many investors, analysts and rating agencies as a measure of performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is approximately equal to “EBITDA” as defined in our Credit Facility and our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is consistent with that reported to our lenders to allow for leverage-based assessments. By reporting Adjusted EBITDA, we provide a basis for comparison of our business operations between current, past and future periods by excluding items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a metric historically utilized to measure performance-based bonuses paid to our executive officers and certain managers.

Presentation of Operating Results

We operate on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday after the Saturday closest to January 31. Each quarter consists of 13 weeks, except for a 53 week year when the fourth quarter consists of 14 weeks. All references to the second quarter of 2015 relate to the 13 week period ended August 2, 2015. All references to the second quarter of 2014 relate to the 13 week period ended August 3, 2014. All references to the year-to-date fiscal 2015 period relate to the twenty-six week period ended August 2, 2015. All references to the year-to-date fiscal 2014 period relate to the twenty-six week period ended August 3, 2014. Both our 2015 fiscal year and 2014 fiscal year consist of 52 weeks. All dollar amounts are presented in thousands, except share and per share amounts.

Key Line Item Descriptions

Revenues — Total revenues consist of food and beverage revenues as well as amusement and other revenues. Beverage revenues refer to alcoholic beverages. For the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2015, we derived 31.6% of our total revenue from food sales, 14.0% from beverage sales, 53.5% from amusement sales and 0.9% from other sources. For the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015, we derived 31.4% of our total revenue from food sales, 14.7% from beverage sales, 53.2% from amusement sales and 0.7% from other sources. Our revenue growth is primarily influenced by the number of new store openings and growth in comparable store revenues. Comparable store revenue growth reflects the change in year-over-year revenue for the comparable store base and is an important measure of store performance. Comparable store sales growth can be generated by increases in average dollars spent per customer and improvements in customer traffic.

We continually monitor the success of current food and beverage items, the availability of new menu offerings, the menu price structure and our ability to adjust prices where competitively appropriate. With respect to the beverage component, we operate fully licensed facilities, which means that we offer full beverage service, including alcoholic beverages, throughout each store.

Our stores also offer an extensive array of amusements and entertainment options, with typically over 150 redemption and simulation games. We also offer traditional pocket billiards and shuffleboard. Redemption games offer our customers the opportunity to win tickets that can be redeemed for prizes in the Winner’s Circle, ranging from branded novelty items to high-end home electronics. Our redemption games include basic games of skill, such as skeeball and basketball, as well as competitive racing, and individual electronic games of skill. We review the amount of game play on existing amusements in an effort to match amusements availability with customer preferences. We intend to continue to invest in new games as they become available and prove to be attractive to our customers. Our unique venue allows us to provide our customers with value driven food and amusement combination offerings including our Eat & Play Combo (a promotion that provides a discounted Power Card in combination with select entrées), Super Charge Power Card offerings (when purchasing or adding value to a Power Card, the customer is given the opportunity to add more chips to the Power Card at a lower cost per chip amount), Half-Price Game Play (every Wednesday, from open to close, we reduce the price of every game in the Midway by one-half), “Everyone’s a Winner” (a limited-time offer providing a prize to every customer that purchases or adds value to a Power Card in the amount of $10 or more). We also offer various food and beverage discounts during key sports viewing times. In addition, from time to time we have limited time offers which allow our customers to play certain new games for free as a way to introduce those new games.

The special events portion of our business represented 9.1% of our total revenues for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015. We believe our special events business is an important sampling and promotional opportunity for our customers because many customers are experiencing Dave & Buster’s for the first time. Accordingly, a considerable emphasis is placed on the special events portion of our business.

Cost of products — Cost of products includes the cost of food, beverages and the Winner’s Circle redemption items. For the thirteen weeks ended August 2, 2015, the cost of food products averaged 27.1% of food revenue and the cost of beverage products averaged 23.7% of beverage revenue. The amusement and other cost of products averaged 12.8% of amusement and other revenues.

For the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015, the cost of food products averaged 27.1% of food revenue and the cost of beverage products averaged 23.6% of beverage revenue. The amusement and other cost of products averaged 13.0% of amusement and other revenues. The cost of products is driven by product mix and pricing movements from third-party suppliers. We continually strive to gain efficiencies in both the acquisition and use of products while maintaining high standards of product quality.

Operating payroll and benefits — Operating payroll and benefits consist of wages, employer taxes and benefits for store personnel. We continually review the opportunity for efficiencies, principally through scheduling refinements.

Other store operating expenses — Other store operating expenses consist primarily of store-related occupancy, supply and outside service expenses, utilities, repair and maintenance and marketing and promotional costs.

General and administrative expenses — General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel, facilities and professional expenses for the various departments of our corporate headquarters.

Depreciation and amortization expense — Depreciation and amortization expense includes the depreciation of fixed assets and the amortization of trademarks with finite lives.

Pre-opening costs — Pre-opening costs include costs associated with the opening and organizing of new stores, including pre-opening rent (rent expense recognized during the period between date of possession and the store’s opening date), staff training and recruiting, and travel costs for employees engaged in such pre-opening activities.

Interest expense — Interest expense includes the cost of our debt obligations including the amortization of loan fees and original issue discounts, net of any interest income earned or interest expense capitalized.

Loss on debt retirement — Loss on debt retirement consists of the write-off of unamortized loan costs and other fees associated with the refinancing of our debt.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes — Provision (benefit) for income taxes represents current and deferred income taxes for federal, state, and foreign.

Liquidity and Cash Flows

The primary source of cash flow is from our operating activities and availability under the revolving credit facility.

Store-Level Variability, Quarterly Fluctuations, Seasonality and Inflation

We have historically operated stores varying in size and have experienced significant variability among stores in volumes, operating results and net investment costs.

We also expect seasonality to be a factor in the operation or results of the business in the future with higher first and fourth quarter revenues associated with the spring and year-end holidays. These quarters will continue to be susceptible to the impact of severe weather on customer traffic and sales during that period. Our third quarter, which encompasses the back-to-school fall season, has historically had lower revenues as compared to the other quarters.

We expect that volatile economic conditions will continue to exert pressure on both supplier pricing and consumer spending related to entertainment and dining alternatives. Although there is no assurance that our cost of products will remain stable or that federal or state minimum wage rates will not increase beyond amounts currently legislated, the effects of any supplier price increases or minimum wage rate increases are expected to be partially offset by selected menu price increases where competitively appropriate.

Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014

Results of operations — The following table sets forth selected data, in thousands of dollars and as a percentage of total revenues (unless otherwise noted) for the periods indicated. All information is derived from the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015				Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Food and beverage revenues	$	99,213	45.6	%	$	84,916		46.8	%
Amusement and other revenues		118,126	54.4			96,469		53.2

Total revenues		217,339	100.0			181,385		100.0
Cost of food and beverage (as a percentage of food and beverage revenues)		25,880	26.1			21,832		25.7
Cost of amusement and other (as a percentage of amusement and other revenues)		15,074	12.8			14,049		14.6

Total cost of products		40,954	18.8			35,881		19.8
Operating payroll and benefits		50,081	23.0			42,330		23.3
Other store operating expenses		63,813	29.5			57,589		31.8
General and administrative expenses		13,501	6.2			9,604		5.3
Depreciation and amortization expense		19,638	9.0			17,386		9.6
Pre-opening costs		2,585	1.2			1,848		1.0

Total operating costs		190,572	87.7			164,638		90.8

Operating income		26,767	12.3			16,747		9.2
Interest expense, net		2,223	1.0			11,684		6.4
Loss on debt retirement		6,822	3.1			25,986		14.3

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		17,722	8.2			(20,923	)	(11.5	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		5,149	2.4			(7,045	)	(3.8	)

Net income (loss)	$	12,573	5.8	%	$	(13,878	)	(7.7	)%

Change in comparable store sales ⁽¹⁾			11.0	%				5.7	%
Company owned stores open at end of period ⁽²⁾			76					69
Comparable stores open at end of period ⁽¹⁾			60					57

(1)

“Comparable store sales” (year-over-year comparison of stores operating at the end of the fiscal period and open at least 18 months as of the beginning of each of the fiscal years) is a key performance indicator used within the industry and is indicative of acceptance of our initiatives as well as local economic and consumer trends. Fiscal 2015 comparable stores exclude our Farmingdale location, which permanently closed on February 8, 2015. Fiscal 2014 comparable stores exclude our Bethesda location, which permanently closed on August 12, 2014.

(2)	Our fiscal 2015 store count excludes both our Farmingdale and Bethesda locations. Our Fiscal 2014 store count includes both locations.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles Net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Net income (loss)	$	12,573		$	(13,878	)
Interest expense, net		2,223			11,684
Loss on debt retirement		6,822			25,986
Provision (benefit) for income tax		5,149			(7,045	)
Depreciation and amortization expense		19,638			17,386

EBITDA		46,405			34,133
Loss on asset disposal ⁽¹⁾		580			329
Currency transaction (gain) loss ⁽²⁾		24			(6	)
Reimbursement of affiliate and other expenses ⁽³⁾		15			133
Transaction and other costs ⁽⁴⁾		187			703
Share-based compensation ⁽⁵⁾		1,072			229
Pre-opening costs ⁽⁶⁾		2,585			1,848
Change in deferred amusement revenue and ticket liability ⁽⁷⁾		1,834			1,077

Adjusted EBITDA	$	52,702		$	38,446

Adjusted EBITDA Margin		24.2	%		21.2	%

⁽¹⁾	Represents the net book value of assets (less proceeds received) disposed of during the year. Primarily relates to assets replaced in the ongoing operation of business.

⁽²⁾	Represents the effect of foreign currency transaction (gain) losses related to our store in Canada.

⁽³⁾	Represents fees and expenses paid directly to our Board of Directors and certain non-recurring payments to management and compensation consultants.

⁽⁴⁾	Primarily represents costs related to capital market transactions and store closure costs.

⁽⁵⁾	Represents stock compensation expense under our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

⁽⁶⁾	Represents costs incurred prior to the opening of our new stores.

⁽⁷⁾	Represents quarterly increase or (decrease) to accrued liabilities established for future amusement games play and the fulfillment of tickets won by customers on our redemption games.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Store-level EBITDA

The following table reconciles EBITDA to Store-level EBITDA for the periods indicated:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
EBITDA	$	46,405		$	34,133
General and administrative expenses		13,501			9,604
Pre-opening costs		2,585			1,848

Store-level EBITDA	$	62,491		$	45,585

Store-level EBITDA Margin		28.8	%		25.1	%

Capital additions

The following table represents total accrual-based additions to property and equipment. Capital additions do not include any reductions for tenant improvement allowances received or receivable from landlords.


	Thirteen Weeks Ended August 2, 2015		Thirteen Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
New stores	$	20,776	$	15,295
Operating initiatives, including remodels		10,764		6,958
Games		8,108		3,748
Maintenance capital		3,251		2,955

Total capital additions	$	42,899	$	28,956

Tenant improvement allowances	$	4,994	$	2,485

Revenues

Total revenues increased $35,954, or 19.8%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014.

The increased revenues were derived from the following sources:


Comparable stores	$	17,502
Non-comparable stores		18,970
Other		(518	)

Total	$	35,954

Comparable store revenue increased $17,502, or 11.0%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. Comparable store walk-in revenues, which accounted for 89.6% of consolidated comparable store revenue in the second quarter of 2015, increased $17,109, or 12.1% compared to the second quarter of 2014. Comparable store special events revenues, which accounted for 10.4% of consolidated comparable store revenue in the second quarter of 2015, increased $393 or 2.2% compared to the second quarter of 2014. The increase in comparable store revenue over prior year is attributable to our brand strength and increased consumer prosperity. Our brand strength can be credited to many factors including a more contemporary feel at our stores as a result of our remodeling initiative, the addition of and focus on sports viewing, and media efficiencies which encompass the success of our “New News” program, which features our new offerings in each of the “Eat Drink Play and Watch” pillars through national advertising and the utilization of new media outlets.

Food sales at comparable stores increased by $3,775, or 7.3%, to $55,746 in the second quarter of 2015 from $51,971 in the second quarter of 2014. Beverage sales at comparable stores increased by $1,870, or 8.3%, to $24,418 in the second quarter of 2015 from $22,548 in the second quarter of 2014. Comparable store amusement and other revenues in the second quarter of 2015 increased by $11,857, or 14.0%, to $96,613 from $84,756 in the second quarter of 2014. The growth over 2014 in amusement sales was driven by additional national advertising which highlighted our games, including a continued succession of game promotions, with the return of our “Summer of Games” campaign.

Non-comparable store revenue increased $18,970, or 84.0%, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. The increase in non-comparable store revenue was primarily driven by 115 additional store weeks contributed by our 2014 and 2015 openings compared to fiscal 2014, and partially offset by a decrease in revenue due to the closure of our Bethesda and Farmingdale locations on August 12, 2014 and February 8, 2015, respectively.

Our revenue mix was 31.6% for food, 14.0% for beverage, and 54.4% for amusements and other for the second quarter of 2015. This compares to 32.8%, 14.0%, and 53.2%, respectively, for the second quarter of 2014.

Cost of products

The total cost of products was $40,954 for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and $35,881 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The total cost of products as a percentage of total revenues was 18.8% and 19.8% for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 and second quarter of fiscal 2014, respectively.

Cost of food and beverage products increased to $25,880 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $21,832 in the second quarter of 2014 due primarily to the increased sales volume. Cost of food and beverage products, as a percentage of food and beverage revenues, increased 40 basis points to 26.1% for the second quarter of 2015 from 25.7% for the second quarter of 2014. The increase in the cost of food and beverage as a percentage of revenues is primarily due to increased cost in our meat and poultry categories partially offset by savings in seafood.

Cost of amusement and other increased to $15,074 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $14,049 in the second quarter of 2014. The costs of amusement and other, as a percentage of amusement and other revenues decreased 180 basis points to 12.8% for the second quarter of 2015 from 14.6% for the second quarter of 2014. This decrease was due to a shift in game play from redemption to simulation and supplies savings resulting from the company wide rollout of our “e-ticket” initiative which allows customers the option to have tickets won from game play stored automatically on their Power Cards instead of receiving paper tickets.

Operating payroll and benefits

Operating payroll and benefits increased by $7,751 or 18.3%, to $50,081 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $42,330 in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to new store openings and increased incentive compensation for performance. The total cost of operating payroll and benefits, as a percent of total revenues, decreased 30 basis points to 23.0% for the second quarter of 2015 from 23.3% in the second quarter of 2014 as a result of leverage on increased sales.

Other store operating expenses

Other store operating expenses increased by $6,224, or 10.8%, to $63,813, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $57,589 in the second quarter of 2014, primarily due to new store openings. Other store operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased 230 basis points to 29.5% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 31.8% for the same period of 2014, due primarily to favorable leverage of operating costs on increased revenue.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $3,897, or 40.6%, to $13,501 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $9,604 in the second quarter of 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily driven by increased incentive compensation costs at our corporate headquarters, increased stock-based compensation due to options granted subsequent to the second quarter of 2014 and incremental public company costs. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of total revenues, increased 90 basis points to 6.2% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 5.3% in the same period of 2014 for the same reasons noted above.

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $2,252, or 13.0%, to $19,638 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $17,386 in the second quarter of 2014. Increased depreciation on our 2014 and 2015 capital expenditures was partially offset by other assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives.

Pre-opening costs

Pre-opening costs increased by $737 to $2,585 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $1,848 in the second quarter of 2014 due to the timing of new store openings.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased by $9,461 to $2,223 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to $11,684 in the second quarter of 2014 due to the two refinancings described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Cash Flows”.

Loss on debt retirement

In connection with the May 15, 2015 debt refinancing (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further discussion), the Company recorded a charge of $6,822. This charge includes non-cash charges of $6,790 resulting from the write-off of certain unamortized debt issuance costs and the unamortized discount associated with the July 2014 credit facility and $32 of legal expenses. In the second quarter of 2014 the Company recorded a charge of $25,986. This charge includes non-cash charges of $6,994 resulting from the write-off of certain unamortized debt issuance costs and the unamortized discount associated with the outstanding senior secured credit facility at that time, $12,833 related to the early redemption of the 11.0% senior notes, $6,124 related to the early redemption of the 12.25% senior discount notes and $35 of legal expenses.

Income tax provision (benefit)

Income tax provision for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was $5,149 compared to an income tax benefit of $7,045 for the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate due to the FICA tip credits, state income taxes and the impact of certain income and expense items which are not recognized for income tax purposes.

As of August 2, 2015, we estimate that we have available $1,885 federal tax credit carryovers, including $1,822 of general business credits and $63 of Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryovers, and $43,156 of state net operating loss carryforwards. There is a 20-year carry-forward on general business credits and AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely. The general business credits do not begin to expire until 2030 and are expected to be utilized in 2015 based on current enacted tax laws. As of August 2, 2015, we have no federal net operating loss carryforwards. Generally, state net operating losses can be carried forward 20 years. State operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2024. As of August 2, 2015, we could not conclude that it was more likely than not that all of our state net operating loss carryforwards, when considered on a state by state basis, will be fully utilized prior to their expiration. Included in our total valuation allowance is $646 related to state net operating losses that may not be realized.

We follow established accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance limits the recognition of income tax benefits to those items that meet the “more likely than not” threshold on the effective date. As of August 2, 2015, we have accrued approximately $870 of unrecognized tax benefits and approximately $371 of penalties and interest. During the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we increased our unrecognized provision by $180 and increased our accrual for interest and penalties by $17. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, $744 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015 Compared to Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015				Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2015
Food and beverage revenues	$	202,778	46.1	%	$	177,898		47.3	%
Amusement and other revenues		237,236	53.9			198,310		52.7

Total revenues		440,014	100.0			376,208		100.0
Cost of food and beverage (as a percentage of food and beverage revenues)		52,660	26.0			45,690		25.7
Cost of amusement and other (as a percentage of amusement and other revenues)		30,840	13.0			27,244		13.7

Total cost of products		83,500	19.0			72,934		19.4
Operating payroll and benefits		99,073	22.5			85,120		22.6
Other store operating expenses		125,007	28.4			114,142		30.4
General and administrative expenses		26,345	6.0			20,069		5.3
Depreciation and amortization expense		38,215	8.7			34,673		9.2
Pre-opening costs		5,359	1.2			4,292		1.1

Total operating costs		377,499	85.8			331,230		88.0

Operating income		62,515	14.2			44,978		12.0
Interest expense, net		6,873	1.5			23,696		6.4
Loss on debt retirement		6,822	1.6			25,986		6.9

Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes		48,820	11.1			(4,704	)	(1.3	)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		16,705	3.8			(2,287	)	(0.7	)

Net income (loss)	$	32,115	7.3	%	$	(2,417	)	(0.6	)%

Change in comparable store sales ⁽¹⁾			10.4	%				5.2	%
Company owned stores open at end of period ⁽²⁾			76					69
Comparable stores open at end of period ⁽¹⁾			60					57

(1)

(2)	Our fiscal 2015 store count excludes both our Farmingdale and Bethesda locations. Our Fiscal 2014 store count includes both locations.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures - EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

The following table reconciles Net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Net income (loss)	$	32,115		$	(2,417	)
Interest expense, net		6,873			23,696
Loss on debt retirement		6,822			25,986
Provision (benefit) for income tax		16,705			(2,287	)
Depreciation and amortization expense		38,215			34,673

EBITDA		100,730			79,651
Loss on asset disposal ⁽¹⁾		869			622
Currency transaction gain ⁽²⁾		(2	)		(20	)
Reimbursement of affiliate and other expenses ⁽³⁾		30			303
Transaction and other costs ⁽⁴⁾		1,258			1,161
Share-based compensation ⁽⁵⁾		1,621			503
Pre-opening costs ⁽⁶⁾		5,359			4,292
Change in deferred amusement revenue and ticket liability ⁽⁷⁾		4,717			2,547

Adjusted EBITDA	$	114,582		$	89,059

Adjusted EBITDA Margin		26.0	%		23.7	%

⁽¹⁾	Represents the net book value of assets (less proceeds received) disposed of during the year. Primarily relates to assets replaced in the ongoing operation of business.

⁽²⁾	Represents the effect of foreign currency transaction gains related to our store in Canada.

⁽³⁾	Represents fees and expenses paid directly to our Board of Directors and certain non-recurring payments to management and compensation consultants.

⁽⁴⁾	Primarily represents costs related to capital market transactions and store closure costs.

⁽⁵⁾	Represents stock compensation expense under our 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.

⁽⁶⁾	Represents costs incurred prior to the opening of our new stores.

⁽⁷⁾	Represents quarterly increase or (decrease) to accrued liabilities established for future amusement games play and the fulfillment of tickets won by customers on our redemption games.

Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Financial Measures – Store-level EBITDA

The following table reconciles EBITDA to Store-level EBITDA for the periods indicated:


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
EBITDA	$	100,730		$	79,651
General and administrative expenses		26,345			20,069
Pre-opening costs		5,359			4,292

Store-level EBITDA	$	132,434		$	104,012

Store-level EBITDA Margin		30.1	%		27.6	%

Capital additions


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015		Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
New stores	$	52,214	$	30,082
Operating initiatives, including remodels		18,794		9,920
Games		8,472		7,601
Maintenance capital		4,210		5,122

Total capital additions	$	83,690	$	52,725

Tenant improvement allowances	$	12,772	$	7,454

Revenues

Total revenues increased $63,806, or 17.0%, in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014.

The increased revenues were derived from the following sources:


Comparable stores	$	34,634
Non-comparable stores		30,691
Other		(1,519	)

Total	$	63,806

Comparable store revenue increased $34,634, or 10.4%, in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Comparable store walk-in revenues, which accounted for 90.4% of consolidated comparable store revenue in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015, increased $33,591, or 11.3% compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Comparable store special events revenues, which accounted for 9.6% of consolidated comparable store revenue in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015, increased $1,043 or 3.0% compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The increase in comparable store revenue over prior year is attributable to our brand strength and increased consumer prosperity. Our brand strength can be credited to many factors including a more contemporary feel at our stores as a result of our remodeling initiative, the addition of and focus on sports viewing, and media efficiencies which encompass the success of our “New News” program, which features our new offerings in each of the “Eat Drink Play and Watch” pillars through national advertising and the utilization of new media outlets.

Food sales at comparable stores increased by $6,987, or 6.5%, to $114,569 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 from $107,582 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Beverage sales at comparable stores increased by $4,045, or 8.2%, to $53,195 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 from $49,150 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Comparable store amusement and other revenues in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 increased by $23,602, or 13.4%, to $199,424 from $175,822 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The growth over 2014 in amusement sales was driven by additional national advertising which highlighted our games, including exclusive game launches, and a continued succession of game promotions with the return of our “Everyone’s a Winner” and our “Summer or Games” campaigns.

Non-comparable store revenue increased $30,691, or 67.7%, in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The increase in non-comparable store revenue was primarily driven by 205 additional store weeks contributed by our 2014 and 2015 openings compared to fiscal 2014, and partially offset by a decrease in revenue due to the closure of our Bethesda and Farmingdale locations on August 12, 2014 and February 8, 2015, respectively.

Our revenue mix was 31.4% for food, 14.7% for beverage, and 53.9% for amusements and other for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015. This compares to 32.5%, 14.8%, and 52.7%, respectively, for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014.

Cost of products

The total cost of products was $83,500 for the twenty-six week ended August 2, 2015 and $72,934 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The total cost of products as a percentage of total revenues was 19.0% and 19.4% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 and August 3, 2014, respectively.

Cost of food and beverage products increased to $52,660 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $45,690 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014 due primarily to the increased sales volume. Cost of food and beverage products, as a percentage of food and beverage revenues, increased 30 basis points to 26.0% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 from 25.7% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The increase in the cost of food and beverage as a percentage of revenues is primarily due to increased cost in our meat and poultry categories partially offset by savings in seafood.

Cost of amusement and other increased to $30,840 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $27,244 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The costs of amusement and other, as a percentage of amusement and other revenues decreased 70 basis points to 13.0% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2015 from 13.7% for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. This decrease was due to a shift in game play from redemption to simulation and supplies savings resulting from the company wide rollout of our “e-ticket” initiative which allows customers the option to have tickets won from game play stored automatically on their Power Cards instead of receiving paper tickets and partially offset by an increase in accrued liabilities established for future fulfillment of tickets won by customers on our redemption games.

Operating payroll and benefits

Operating payroll and benefits increased by $13,953 or 16.4%, to $99,073 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $85,120 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014, primarily due to new store openings and increased incentive compensation for performance. The total cost of operating payroll and benefits, as a percent of total revenues, decreased 10 basis points to 22.5% in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to 22.6% in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014.

Other store operating expenses

Other store operating expenses increased by $10,865, or 9.5%, to $125,007, in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $114,142 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014, primarily due to new store openings. Other store operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased 200 basis points to 28.4% in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to 30.4% for the same period of 2014, due primarily to favorable leverage of operating costs on increased revenue.

General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses increased by $6,276, or 31.3%, to $26,345 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $20,069 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily driven by increased incentive compensation costs at our corporate headquarters, increased stock-based compensation due to options granted since the second quarter of fiscal 2014, costs associated with our February and May 2015 follow-on offerings and incremental public company costs. General and administrative expenses, as a percentage of total revenues, increased 70 basis points to 6.0% in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to 5.3% in the same period of 2014 for the same reasons noted above.

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $3,542, or 10.2%, to $38,215 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $34,673 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Increased depreciation on our 2014 and 2015 capital expenditures was partially offset by other assets reaching the end of their depreciable lives.

Pre-opening costs

Pre-opening costs increased by $1,067 to $5,359 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $4,292 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014 due to the timing of new store openings.

Interest expense

Interest expense decreased by $16,823 to $6,873 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $23,696 in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014 due to the two refinancings described in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Cash Flows”.

Loss on debt retirement

In connection with the May 15, 2015 debt refinancing (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for further discussion), the Company recorded a charge of $6,822. This charge includes non-cash charges of $6,790 resulting from the write-off of certain unamortized debt issuance costs and the unamortized discount associated with the July 2014 credit facility and $32 of legal expenses. In the second quarter of 2014 the Company recorded a charge of $25,986. This charge includes non-cash charges of $6,994 resulting from the write-off of certain unamortized debt issuance costs and the unamortized discount associated with the outstanding prior credit facility at that time, $12,833 related to the early redemption of the 11.0% senior notes, $6,124 related to the early redemption of the 12.25% senior discount notes and $35 of legal expenses.

Income tax provision (benefit)

Income tax provision (benefit) for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 was $16,705 compared to an income tax benefit of $2,287 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate due to the deduction for FICA tip credits, state income taxes, the impact of certain expenses, which are not deductible for income tax purposes.

As of August 2, 2015, we estimate that we have available $1,885 federal tax credit carryovers, including $1,822 of general business credits and $63 of AMT credit carryovers, and $43,156 of state net operating loss carryforwards. There is a 20-year carry-forward on general business credits and AMT credits can be carried forward indefinitely. The general business credits do not begin to expire until 2030 and are expected to be utilized in 2015 based on current enacted tax laws. As of August 2, 2015, we have no federal net operating loss carryforwards. Generally, state net operating losses can be carried forward 20 years. State operating loss carryforwards do not begin to expire until 2024. As of August 2, 2015, we could not conclude that it was more likely than not that all of our state net operating loss carryforwards, when considered on a state by state basis, will be fully utilized prior to their expiration. Included in our total valuation allowance is $646 related to state net operating losses that may not be realized.

We follow established accounting guidance for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance limits the recognition of income tax benefits to those items that meet the “more likely than not” threshold on the effective date. As of August 2, 2015, we have accrued approximately $870 of unrecognized tax benefits and approximately $371 of penalties and interest. During fiscal 2015, we increased our unrecognized provision by $304 and increased our accrual for interest and penalties by $34. Because of the impact of deferred tax accounting, $744 of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We finance our activities through cash flow from operations and availability under our revolving credit facility. As of August 2, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $23,722, net working capital deficit of $46,115 and outstanding debt obligations of $361,000. We also had $133,815 in borrowing availability under our Credit Facility.

We currently have, and anticipate that in the future we may continue to have, negative working capital balances. We are able to operate with a working capital deficit because cash from sales is usually received before related liabilities for product, supplies, labor and services become due. Funds available from sales not needed immediately to pay for operating expenses have typically been used for non-current capital expenditures and payment of long-term debt obligations.

Short-term liquidity requirements. We generally consider our short-term liquidity requirements to consist of those items that are expected to be incurred within the next twelve months and believe those requirements to consist primarily of funds necessary to pay operating expenses, interest and principal payments on our debt, capital expenditures related to the new store construction and other expenditures associated with acquiring new games, remodeling facilities and recurring replacement of equipment and improvements.

As of August 2, 2015, we expect our short-term liquidity requirements to include (a) approximately $139,000 to $149,000 of capital additions (net of tenant improvement allowances from landlords), (b) scheduled debt service payments under our Credit Facility of $15,408 including interest payments of $7,908 (c) lease obligation payments of $68,124 and (d) estimated cash income tax payments of approximately $28,000.

Long-term liquidity requirements. We generally consider our long-term liquidity requirements to consist of those items that are expected to be incurred beyond the next twelve months and believe these requirements consist primarily of funds necessary for new store development and construction, replacement of games and equipment, performance-necessary renovations and other non-recurring capital expenditures that need to be made periodically to our stores, interest payments on our outstanding term loan and scheduled lease obligation payments. We intend to satisfy our long-term liquidity requirements through various sources of capital, including our existing cash on hand, cash provided by operations, and borrowings under the revolving portion of our Credit Facility.

Based on our current business plan, we believe the cash flows from operations, together with our existing cash balances and availability of borrowings under the revolving portion of our Credit Facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital, capital expenditures, and debt service needs in the foreseeable future. Our ability to make scheduled principal and interest payments, or to refinance our indebtedness, or to fund planned capital expenditures, will depend on future performance, which is subject to general economic conditions, competitive environment and other factors.

Indebtedness

New Credit Facility. On May 15, 2015, we entered into the Credit Facility which provides a $150,000 term loan facility and a $350,000 revolving credit facility with a maturity date of May 15, 2020. The $350,000 revolving credit facility includes a $20,000 letter of credit sub facility and a $10,000 swingline sub facility. The revolving facility will be used to provide financing for general purposes. The Credit Facility is secured by the assets of D&B Inc and is unconditionally guaranteed by D&B Holdings and each of its direct and indirect domestic wholly-owned subsidiaries.

The proceeds of the Credit Facility were used to refinance in full the July 2014 credit facility (of which $430,000 was outstanding) and to pay related interest and expenses. As a result of the refinancing, we incurred a loss on extinguishment charge of $6,822, consisting of the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, unamortized discount and cash paid for related debt fees. Additionally, we utilized $73,000 of available cash on hand to pay down a portion of the outstanding revolving portion of the Credit Facility.

As of August 2, 2015, we had letters of credit outstanding of $5,185 and $133,815 of borrowing available under our Credit Facility. We believe that the carrying amount of our Credit Facility approximates its fair value because the interest rates are adjusted regularly based on current market conditions. The fair value of the Company’s Credit Facility was determined to be a Level Two instrument as defined by GAAP.

The interest rates per annum applicable to loans, other than swingline loans, under our Credit Facility are currently set based on a defined LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. Swingline loans bear interest at a base rate plus an applicable margin. The loans bear interest subject to a pricing grid based on a secured leveraged ratio, at LIBOR plus a spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.25% for the term loans and the revolving loans. The stated interest rate on the Credit Facility at August 2, 2015 was 2.19%. The weighted average effective interest rate incurred on our borrowings under the Credit Facility was 2.55%. The weighted average effective rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs, commitment and other fees.

Prior credit facilities. The proceeds of the July 2014 credit facility were used to refinance all the outstanding credit facility and note balances at that time and to pay related premiums, interest and expenses of $30,850. The outstanding credit facility and notes at July 25, 2014 included $143,509 on a senior secured credit facility, $200,000 aggregate principal amount of the 11.0% senior notes due June 1, 2018, and the outstanding 12.25% senior discount notes due February 15, 2016 (with a $150,193 accreted value as of July 25, 2014). As a result of the refinancing, we incurred a loss on extinguishment charge of $25,992, consisting of premiums for early repayment, additional interest charges, and write-off of unamortized debt issue costs and unamortized discount.

Cash Flows

The following table presents a summary of our net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities:


	Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 2, 2015			Twenty-six Weeks Ended August 3, 2014
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	85,480		$	10,451
Investing activities		(76,649	)		(59,352	)
Financing activities		(55,985	)		76,172

Net cash provided by operating activities was $85,480 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to cash provided by operating activities of $10,451 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Increased cash flows from operations were driven primarily by increased cash flows from additional non-comparable store sales, increased comparable store sales and improved operating margins and the absence of a $50,193 payment of accrued interest which occurred in the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014.

Net cash used in investing activities was $76,649 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to $59,352 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Capital expenditures increased $18,629 to $78,003 (excluding the increase in fixed asset accrued liabilities of approximately $5,687) in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2015 from $59,374 in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2014 primarily due to new store openings. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2015, the Company spent approximately $48,818 ($36,046 net of tenant improvement allowances from landlords) for new store construction, $9,601 related to a major remodel project on three existing stores and several smaller scale remodel projects, $7,663 on operating improvement initiatives, $7,527 for game refreshment and $4,394 for maintenance capital. New store capital expenditures increased $16,133 due mainly to the timing of new store openings.

Net cash used in financing activities was $55,985 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 2, 2015 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $76,172 for the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014. Net cash used in financing activities during the current fiscal year reflects the impact of our May 15, 2015, debt refinancing and subsequent activity which resulted in a $69,000 net reduction to our outstanding long-term debt during the twenty-six week period ended August 2, 2015. Net cash used for debt reduction was partially offset by proceeds from stock option exercises and excess income tax benefits related to stock compensation plans.

Cash provided by financing activities during the twenty-six weeks ended August 3, 2014 reflects the impact of a debt refinancing which was completed on July 14, 2014. In connection with the 2014 debt refinancing we received proceeds of $528,675, net of a $1,325 discount from a term loan facility. Proceeds from the term loan facility were used to repay $143,509 principal balance of a prior senior secured credit facility, repay $200,000 principal balance of senior notes, repay $100,000 of senior discount notes and pay $8,128 in expenses associated with the 2014 debt refinancing.

We plan on financing future growth through existing cash on hand, future operating cash flows, debt facilities and tenant improvement allowances from landlords. We expect to spend between $163,000 and $173,000 ($132,000 to $142,000 net of tenant improvement allowances from landlords) in capital additions during fiscal 2015. The fiscal 2015 additions are expected to include approximately $138,000 to $148,000 ($107,000 to $117,000 net of tenant improvement allowances from landlords) for new store construction and operating improvement initiatives, including three store remodels, $10,000 for game refreshment and $15,000 in maintenance capital. A portion of the 2015 new store spend is related to stores that will be under construction in 2015 but will not be open until 2016.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following tables set forth the contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of August 2, 2015:

Payment due by period


	Total		1 Year or Less		2-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years
Credit Facility ⁽¹⁾	$	361,000	$	7,500	$	15,000	$	338,500	$	—
Interest requirements ⁽²⁾		36,464		7,908		15,463		13,093		—
Operating leases ⁽³⁾		732,126		68,124		133,172		115,735		415,095

Total	$	1,129,590	$	83,532	$	163,635	$	467,328	$	415,095

⁽¹⁾

The Credit Facility includes a $150,000 term loan facility and $350,000 revolving credit facility, a letter of credit sub-facility, and a swingline sub-facility. As of August 2, 2015, we had borrowings of $211,000 under the revolving credit facility, borrowings of $150,000 under the term facility and $5,185 in letters of credit outstanding.

⁽²⁾	The cash obligations for interest requirements consist of variable rate debt obligations at rates in effect at August 2, 2015.

⁽³⁾	Our operating leases generally provide for one or more renewal options. These renewal options allow us to extend the term of the lease for a specified time at an established annual lease payment. Future obligations related to lease renewal options that

have been exercised or were reasonably assured to be exercised as of the lease origination date, have been included in the table above. Our store lease in Farmingdale expired in February 2015 without an option to renew resulting in the store’s closure on February 8, 2015. We do not have any remaining options to extend the lease terms of two leases which expire in 2019 and one other lease which expires in 2020. All of our other leases include renewal options that give us the opportunity to extend the lease terms beyond 2020.

Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Our current estimates are subject to change if different assumptions as to the outcome of future events were made. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and we adjust our assumptions and judgments when facts and circumstances dictate. Since future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from the estimates we used in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. A complete description of our critical accounting policies and estimates are included in our annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes in our Annual Report on Form10-K filed with the SEC on April 7, 2015.

Recent accounting pronouncements. In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU 2015-11 requires inventory that is recorded using the first-in, first-out method to be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. We do not expect the adoption ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

JOBS Act. We have historically filed as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”), and we have taken advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies, such as reduced public company reporting, accounting and corporate governance requirements.

Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. However, we chose to opt out of any extended transition period, and as a result we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

The JOBS Act provides that we can remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years following our IPO in October 2014, or until the earliest of (i) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenue exceeds $1 billion, (ii) the date that we become a “large accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, which would occur if the market value of our common stock that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700,000 as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, or (iii) the date on which we have issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt during the preceding three year period.

As of the end of our second quarter, the market value of our common stock held by non-affiliates was $938,260 which exceeds the $700,000 threshold; as a result, we will no longer qualify as an emerging growth company, and will instead be a “large accelerated filer,” at the end of the 2015 fiscal year.

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price fluctuation in food product prices. Given the historical volatility of certain of our food product prices, including proteins, seafood, produce, dairy products, and cooking oil, these fluctuations can materially impact our food and beverage costs. While our purchasing commitments partially mitigate the risk of such fluctuations, there is no assurance that supply and demand factors such as disease or inclement weather will not cause the prices of the commodities used in our restaurant operations to fluctuate. In a rapidly-fluctuating commodities market, it may prove difficult for us to adjust our menu prices to respond to any price fluctuations. Therefore, to the extent that we do not pass along cost increases to our customers, our results of operations may be adversely affected. At this time, we do not use financial instruments to hedge our commodity risk.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk from interest rate changes on our senior secured credit facility. This exposure relates to the variable component of the interest rate on the Credit Facility. As of August 2, 2015, we had gross borrowings of $361,000 under the term facility, based on a defined LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin. A hypothetical 10% increase in the interest rate associated with our credit facility would increase our interest expense by approximately $800.

Inflation

The primary inflationary factors affecting our operations are food, labor costs, and energy costs. Many of our leases require us to pay taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and utilities, all of which are generally subject to inflationary increases. Finally, the cost of constructing our stores is subject to inflationary increases in the costs of labor and material.

We have a substantial number of hourly employees who are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal or state minimum wage and increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor costs. The State of California (where nine of our stores are located) raised the state minimum hourly wage from $8.00 per hour to $9.00 per hour effective July 1, 2014. The California hourly minimum wage is scheduled to increase to $10.00 per hour on January 1, 2016. The State of New York (where eight of our stores are located) raised the state minimum tipped wage from $5.00 per hour to $7.50 per hour effective December 31, 2015.

In general, we have been able to substantially offset cost increases resulting from inflation by increasing menu prices, improving productivity, or through other adjustments. We may or may not be able to offset cost increases in the future.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during our second quarter ended August 2, 2015, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information regarding legal proceedings is incorporated by reference from Note 5 to our Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Part I of this report.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report as filed on Form 10-K on April 7, 2015.

ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Use of Proceeds from Offering of Common Stock

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Description

10.1		Credit Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2015 by and among Dave & Buster’s Holdings, Inc., the direct and indirect Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto, as guarantors, the several financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and L/C issuer and Wells Fargo, National Association, as syndication agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2015)

31.1*		Certification of Stephen M. King, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Registrant, pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a).

31.2*		Certification of Brian A. Jenkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a) or 17 CFR 240.15d-14(a).

32.1*		Certification of Stephen M. King, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2*		Certification of Brian A. Jenkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101		XBRL Interactive Data files

*	Filed herein

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


	DAVE & BUSTER’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC., a Delaware corporation

Date: September 8, 2015	By:	/s/ Stephen M. King
		Stephen M. King
		Chief Executive Officer

Date: September 8, 2015	By:	/s/ Brian A. Jenkins
		Brian A. Jenkins
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Stephen M. King, Chief Executive Officer of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

Intentionally omitted;

Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: September 8, 2015				/s/ Stephen M. King
				Stephen M. King
				Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Brian A. Jenkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., certify that:

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc.;

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

Intentionally omitted;

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: September 8, 2015				/s/ Brian A. Jenkins
				Brian A. Jenkins
				Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Stephen M. King, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the applicable requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: September 8, 2015

/s/ Stephen M. King

Stephen M. King

Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended August 2, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brian A. Jenkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

(1)

The Report fully complies with the applicable requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: September 8, 2015

/s/ Brian A. Jenkins

Brian A. Jenkins

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company