You’ve probably seen the sign from a mile away—giant letters, neon lights, and the promise of a cold beer next to a Skee-Ball machine. It’s a staple of the American suburban landscape. But honestly, for a place that feels so corporate now, the story of who founded Dave and Buster’s is surprisingly gritty. It wasn't dreamed up in a boardroom by guys in suits. It started with two neighbors in Little Rock, Arkansas, who noticed their customers were literally walking out of one door and into the other.
The Men Behind the Names: Dave and Buster
So, who are these guys? We’re talking about David "Dave" Corriveau and James "Buster" Corley. Back in the late 1970s, they weren't icons. They were just two dudes running businesses in the same renovated train station in Little Rock.
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Dave was the "fun" guy. He ran a place called Slick Willy’s World of Entertainment. It was a game parlor and saloon—think billiards, early arcade games, and lots of energy. Before that, Dave had a colorful resume. He’d sold snow cones from a truck he fixed up, dealt blackjack in Vegas, and even sold cars. He was an entrepreneur to his core.
Buster, on the other hand, was the hospitality guy. He opened a restaurant called Buster’s right next door to Slick Willy’s. Buster had come up through the ranks at T.G.I. Fridays, starting as a waiter and eventually opening new units for them. He knew how to run a kitchen and how to make people feel welcome.
The lightbulb moment was simple.
Patrons would grab a burger at Buster’s and then head over to Slick Willy’s to play pool. Or they’d get bored of games and head to Buster’s for a drink. The two owners saw this "cross-pollination" and realized they could just... knock down the walls. Literally. At one point, they actually cut a window between the two businesses to make it easier for people to get served.
Why Dallas? The Birth of the First Dave & Buster’s
By 1982, they were ready to go big. But they didn't do it in Arkansas. They moved to Dallas, Texas, to find a bigger market. They found a massive, 35,000-square-foot warehouse in an area known as "Restaurant Row" and poured about $3 million into it.
That was a huge gamble back then.
They wanted it to be an "adult Disneyland." They didn't want a kids' arcade with sticky floors. They wanted high-end mahogany pool tables—some cost $15,000—and tournament-quality shuffleboard. Dave took the lead on the games and entertainment, while Buster focused on the food and drink. It was a perfect split of duties.
The Famous Coin Toss
People always ask: Why isn't it Buster & Dave's?
The answer is as old-school as it gets. They couldn't decide whose name should go first, so they flipped a coin. Dave won. That’s it. That’s the whole reason your local "Eatertainment" spot has that specific order on the sign.
The Growth and the "Eatertainment" Revolution
The first location was a smash hit. It did $3.5 million in business in its first year.
For the next few years, they refined the concept. They added things like simulated golf and more complex electronic games. In 1988, they opened a second location in Dallas. But to really explode across the country, they needed serious capital.
In 1989, they sold an 80% stake to a conglomerate called Edison Brothers Stores. This gave them the fuel to open huge venues in Houston, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. These weren't just restaurants; they were massive entertainment complexes, some reaching 70,000 square feet.
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- 1995: The company was spun off and went public (NASDAQ: PLAY).
- 1998: They introduced the Power Card, which basically killed the need for carrying around pockets full of quarters.
- 2006: The founders started stepping back as private equity firms like Wellspring Capital took over.
A Bittersweet Legacy
Both founders are no longer with us, and their departures from the world were heavy. Dave Corriveau passed away in 2015 at the age of 63. Then, in early 2023, James "Buster" Corley passed away at 72.
It’s easy to look at a 200-plus-unit chain and forget that it started with two friends in a train station. They basically invented the "Eatertainment" category. Before them, you either went to a nice restaurant or a loud, dark arcade. You didn't do both in a place that served a decent steak.
Actionable Insights for the "Eatertainment" Fan
If you're heading to a Dave & Buster's soon, or thinking about why it works, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the "Advantage Players": At many locations, you’ll see people who are professional ticket-grinders. They know exactly which games have the best payout ratios to flip prizes for cash. It’s a subculture Dave and Buster themselves respected.
- The "Adult" Pivot: While kids are everywhere there now, the original vision was strictly for adults. This is why the bar is usually central and the food menu is more "fern bar" than "fast food."
- Local History: If you’re ever in Little Rock, look for the old Union Station area. That’s the hallowed ground where the window was cut into the wall and the coin was eventually flipped.
The story of who founded Dave and Buster’s is a reminder that the best business ideas usually come from just watching what people are already doing and making it easier for them to do it.
To get the most out of your next visit, check the rewards app before you go—they often have "Buy $20, Get $20" deals that aren't advertised in the building. You can also look for "Half-Price Games Wednesdays," which is a long-standing tradition to keep the mid-week crowds coming in.