Dave & Buster’s has promoted Darin Harper from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer, handing the top job to an executive who has been closely involved in the entertainment restaurant chain’s current turnaround strategy.
Harper succeeds Tarun Lal, who retired as CEO effective August 3, 2026. Lal, who joined Dave & Buster’s in 2025 after serving as KFC U.S. president, will remain with the company as an advisor through the end of fiscal 2027 to support the transition.
The appointment represents the company’s third CEO transition since 2021, following Brian Jenkins’ departure and Chris Morris’ appointment in 2022. Morris resigned in 2024, after which Dave & Buster’s conducted an extensive search that resulted in Lal taking the role in 2025.
Harper joined Dave & Buster’s in 2024 and has worked alongside Lal on the company’s Back-to-Basics strategy. The program focuses on simplifying the customer and operating experience while improving performance across marketing, food and beverage, games, operations and restaurant remodels.
Lal said the plan is gaining traction across the business, describing the team executing it as “extremely high quality and capable.” He added that he intends to remain involved with the company despite his retirement from the CEO role.
Dave & Buster’s Chairman Kevin Sheehan said Harper was the “clear choice” to lead the company forward, pointing to Lal’s work in bringing greater discipline and guest focus to the business and positioning the Back-to-Basics strategy for continued execution.
Harper’s background gives him considerable familiarity with the restaurant and entertainment sectors. Before joining Dave & Buster’s, he served as CFO of World Choice Investments, and previously held the CFO role at Main Event Entertainment. He also held finance leadership positions at On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and CEC Entertainment. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Dave & Buster’s lists nearly 30 years of finance experience across restaurant, retail and entertainment businesses.
