Short answer
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. (PLAY) filed an 8-K current report with the SEC on August 4, 2026 reporting Item 5.02 (Departure/Election of Directors or Officers), Item EX-99.1 (Exhibit EX-99.1). CEO Tarun Lal retired August 3, 2026; CFO Darin Harper became CEO and joined the Board, creating immediate leadership continuity.
Dave & Buster's Entertainment, Inc. 8-K event analysis
AI summary of each reported item and its exhibits
Item 5.02 · Departure/Election of Directors or Officers
- CEO Tarun Lal retired August 3, 2026; CFO Darin Harper became CEO and joined the Board, creating immediate leadership continuity
- Harper’s compensation includes $650,000 base salary, 100% target cash bonus, 115% target LTIP award, and $6.5 million equity grant
- Harper’s equity incentives tie value creation to a 2X stock-price threshold and 2% same-store-sales growth across fiscal years 2026–2028
- Interim CFO Cory Hatton receives a $1 million equity grant while the Company searches for a permanent CFO
- Board governance shifted to James Chambers as Chair and Kevin Sheehan as Lead Independent Director, strengthening separation of oversight roles
Item EX-99.1 · Exhibit EX-99.1
- CEO Tarun Lal retiring August 3, 2026 for family reasons, with advisory role through at least fiscal 2027
- CFO Darin Harper appointed CEO, preserving continuity in the Back-to-Basics strategy and execution
- Cory Hatton named interim CFO while the Company searches for a permanent finance chief
- Harper brings nearly 30 years of entertainment and restaurant finance experience, including CFO service since June 2024
- Management targeting same-store sales growth, EBITDA expansion, and significant free cash flow generation
Generated from the filing text and exhibits; verify against the original. What 8-K item codes mean
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