On December 22, 2020, Dave & Buster’s announced that James Chambers would be joining the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Chambers will be serving on the Finance and Compensation Committees as well. With the addition of Mr. Chambers, the Dave & Buster’s Board will now boast ten Directors. Mr. Chambers will be one of the eight independent Members that make up the ten-member Board of Directors.
Dave & Buster’s was founded in 1982. The Company has headquarters in Dallas, Texas, but it owns and operates nearly 140 venues in North America. It stretches across 40 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
Dave & Buster’s offers a unique dining and entertainment experience that allows adults and children to play games and watch live sports before, during, and after their meal. Its slogan of “Eat, Drink, Play and Watch” showcases the one-of-a-kind entertainment experience where these dynamic features are combined into one event.
James Chambers is a Partner and Co-Founder of Hill Path Capital, a private investment firm that invests in debt and equity of public and private companies. Hill Path Capital was Co-Founded by Scott Ross, who also serves as Managing Partner. Hill Path Capital’s second-largest holding is Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, with a stake valued at approximately $30 million. Hill Path Capital also recently acquired a significant stake in J. Alexander’s Holdings, a collection of restaurants that offer contemporary American, wood-fired cuisine.
Mr. Chambers previously worked at Apollo Global Management, Inc. In his role at Apollo Management, Chambers focused on the out-of-home entertainment, leisure, and hospitality industries. Previously, Mr. Chambers worked at Goldman Sachs & Co in the Consumer and Retail Group, as part of the Investment Banking Division. Mr. Chambers’ experience centered on capital-raising strategies for consumer products, as well as retail and restaurant companies.
James Chambers also serves on the Board of Directors of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. and previously served on Boards for Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., CEC Entertainment (the parent company for Peter Piper Pizza and Chuck E. Cheese), Principal Maritime Tankers Corp., and Principal Chemical Carriers, LLC. Mr. Chambers graduated from Duke University in 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science and a Certificate in Markets and Management.
Hill Path Capital’s Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Scott Ross, has stated: “We are pleased to further our support for Dave & Buster’s and continue to partner with the Board and management team to realize the full potential of the Company and its uniquely valuable assets.”
Scott Ross and James Chambers also serve together on the SeaWorld Board of Directors. SeaWorld is Hill Path Capital’s largest holding. Scott Ross has served on the Board of Directors since 2017, and was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors in July of 2019. Mr. Ross served as a Partner at Apollo Global Management, where he led private equity and debt investments in various industries, including the lodging, entertainment, consumer, and business services sectors. Before joining Apollo Global Management, Mr. Ross also worked at Goldman Sachs & Co in various investment roles. Mr. Ross also served on the Board of Directors for Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., CEC Entertainment, and EVERTEC, Inc. Mr. Ross graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University with a B.A. degree in Economics, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
