COPPELL, Texas — Darin Harper has been named the next chief financial officer of Coppell-based Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc.
The change, announced April 24 and effective June 17, will put a new executive in charge of the finances of a North Texas entertainment venue chain with a large footprint and ambitions to grow internationally. Harper will take over from the retiring Michael Quartieri, who joined Dave & Buster's (Nasdaq: PLAY) in 2021.
Harper is currently executive vice president and CFO for Main Event Entertainment Inc., which Dave & Busters acquired in 2022. He's also held leadership roles at Australia-based Ardent Leisure Ltd., On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina, Chuck E. Cheese and World Choice Investments LLC.
Dave & Buster's CEO Chris Morris called Harper the "obvious choice" after the company conducted a national search.
"His strategic insights, superior track record of execution, and in-depth knowledge of the out-of-home entertainment space will be a huge asset to our company and allow him to hit the ground running as we accelerate our growth journey in 2024 and beyond," Morris said in a statement.
According to an April 24 securities filing, Harper will receive an initial annual base salary of $475,000 and will be eligible to receive an annual bonus of up to 80% of that salary, or $380,000.
He's also in line for a five-year grant of $1 million in stock options, $1 million in restricted stock units, $2 million in performance share units and $525,000 in conditional stock options.
Dave & Buster’s has more than 160 locations across the U.S., not including Main Event. Revenue was $2.2 billion in 2023, up 12.3% from 2022, and net income was $126.9 million, down from $137.1 million in 2022. The company's shares were trading around $52.15 on the afternoon of April 26, down about 5% for the week.
