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Tarun Lal retires as Dave & Buster's CEO
Lal will remain with Dave & Buster's as an advisor through fiscal 2027, supporting leadership transition and ensuring strategic continuity.
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Bhavana P - Tue, 04, Aug 2026
- 13:57 EDT
- 25
Tarun Lal / Dave & Buster
Dave & Buster's, the firm that owns and operates entertainment and dining venues, has announced the retirement of its chief executive officer, Tarun Lal.
The company appointed its chief financial officer, Darin Harper, as his successor, marking a leadership transition as the company continues to execute its turnaround strategy.
Lal stepped down as CEO on August 3, citing a personal decision to spend more time with his family. He will remain closely associated with the company as an advisor through at least the end of fiscal 2027 and will support Harper during the transition.
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“Leading Dave & Buster’s has been one of the great privileges of my career. Recently, I have found myself needing to spend more time in India with my family. I have made the difficult personal decision to retire and transition full-time leadership to Darin, in whom I have great confidence. I plan to remain involved with the business and have complete confidence in where this business is headed,” Lal said in a statement.
During his tenure, Lal spearheaded efforts to strengthen the company's operations, enhance the guest experience and improve execution across marketing, food and beverage, gaming and venue remodels. He said the turnaround plan has gained significant momentum and expressed confidence that the business is well positioned for continued growth under Harper's leadership.
Board chairman Kevin Sheehan praised Lal for restoring operational discipline and a guest-first culture, saying his leadership had put Dave & Buster's firmly on the right path. He added that Harper's deep understanding of the business, coupled with his role in executing the company's strategic initiatives, made him the ideal successor.
“On behalf of the entire Board, I want to thank Tarun for his outstanding leadership and wish him and his family all the best. In his time as CEO, Tarun brought discipline, energy, and a relentless focus on the guest back to this business, and the Back-to-Basics plan has put the Company firmly on the right path,” Sheehan said.
Incoming CEO Harper credited Lal with building a strong foundation for the business and said the company would remain focused on driving same-store sales, expanding EBITDA and generating sustainable free cash flow while delivering long-term value to shareholders.
“Tarun has played a key role in advancing the Company's strategic priorities and positioning Dave & Buster's for the future. His leadership helped strengthen the organization, enhance execution across the business, and establish a solid platform for continued value creation,” Harper said.
Lal holds a B.Com degree from the Shri Ram College of Commerce, New Delhi, and an EDP in general management from The Wharton School.
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