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Dave and Busters Inc

The need among Americans to be diverted in ever more imaginative ways — through high-thrill parks, virtual reality arcades, and theme restaurants, plays right into the hands of Dave Corriveau and Buster Corley, co-founders and CEOs of Dave and Busters.  The duos 50,000 square foot complexes include pool hall, an eye popping, cutting edge midway arcade, a formal restaurant, a casual diner, a sports bar and a nightclub rolled into one sprawling complex. In business since 1990, this is a high energy, highly efficient operation thats comparable to a Vegas extravaganza. As a matter of fact there are even for fun cashless blackjack tables, with fake $10,000 chips. Pricey, but not outrageous, and you get value for your money.

Founded in 1982, Dave and Busters in Americas leading upscale restaurant/entertainment concept and currently operates 17 locations across the United States. Dave and Busters aggressive domestic expansion plans continue with 6 additional 1999 openings slated for San Antonio, a second site in Atlanta, St Louis, Austin, Jacksonville, Florida, and Providence, Rhode Island. At least seven more Dave and Busters locations are scheduled to open across the United States in the year 2000. There are currently two Dave and Busters operating in the United Kingdom under licensing agreements with Bass Pic. The company also holds international licensing agreements for the Pacific rim as well as Western Europe.

On January 28, 1999 Dave and Busters Inc. announced estimated record revenues for fiscal year and 1998 of $180,000,000 versus $128,504,000 in 1997 for a 40% increase. The company reported that these increased revenues were a function of positive comparable store revenues and higher than expected volumes at new complexes.

This company focuses on quality and customer satisfaction. Their need to achieve goals beyond their measures is consistently shown in every aspect of the complex. They are also trying different ways to satisfy each age group. First of all, if youre under 21 you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian thats 25 or older. After 10:00 p.m. no one under 21 is allowed in. This is an advantage as well as a disadvantage for this company. The advantage is that they can draw in a certain type of crowd after 10:00 p.m., then the facility pretty much turns into a bar. The disadvantage is that there are many people that want to stay with their children after 10:00 p.m.. I believe the question that faces Dave and Busters is which segment is more profitable and how can they satisfy both segments.

Each part of the facility has its own distinct attitude. Theres a golf simulation section where customers can choose between 9 different upscale courses. They even sit in a clubhouse-like section when waiting for their next shot. The entire operation of the golf simulator is so successful it is necessary for the customer to make a tee time 1 to 2 days in advance.

If video games are more your style than you are in luck. Their Midway houses hundreds of state-of-the art video games. The game Daytona USA attracts tons of attention. Customers sit in a racer-like cockpit drivers seat and compete with other customers sitting aside them. There are video cameras that focus on each persons facial expressions while driving and they are projected on a big screen TV above the game for everyone to watch! Their video games have something for everyone. If you have a certain interest, Dave and Busters has a state of the art video game for it!

As far as their customer satisfaction goes, they are #1. Say for instance your ready to go home for the night and before you step out of Dave and Busters you notice its raining. Well Dave and Busters has an answer for you. They have 2 covered golf carts that can hold about 15 people each. They will take you directly to your car, open an umbrella, and escort you right to the front door of your car, without a drop of water ever touching you. And dont ever expect to open any door in the facility by yourself. There are doormen that are stationed at every door in the facility.

When employees are first hired they must go through a series of psychological tests to ensure that they are the person Dave and Busters is looking for. They have tests such as putting together small puzzles, dumping marbles on the floor and asking you how many are there and how you would pick them up. Some people may think these types of tests are too rash. The fact of the matter though, is that the employees at Dave and Busters treat you like you want to be treated and will go more than out of there way for you.

Some of the strengths Dave and Busters have include, a relentless pursuit of perfection, customer satisfaction, and having a niche in the market. The amount of capital required to start a business like Dave and Busters is enormous, this is one way the obtain there niche in the market. The second way the obtain there niche in the market is by offering a product/service that is almost impossible to match.

One of the main weaknesses of Dave and Busters is the amount of capital needed to build each establishment. Each establishment can cost anywhere from 10 to 20 million dollars. Nonetheless, they seem to be popping up all over the country and they are starting to go global. Some experts say that they are expanding too quickly, with facilities operating in the U.K. and Europe. As of now people all over the world still line-up to get into these fun-filled facilities. The question is whether or not people will continue to come after the introduction phase has ended.

After weighing the strengths and weaknesses it seems as though the future outlook for Dave and Busters is good. Dave and Busters has tripled its store base in 3 years and will double its base to 30 stores in the next 24 months. Sales and earnings are growing at over 30% annually for this well-run, debt free company. Although, the stock has been beaten up severely as of late with thoughts of recession being bantered about but, once there, you realize people will return here on a regular basis through thick and thin.
Some of the things I can do for the corporation include, visiting Dave and Busters establishment (in other words, spend money at D&BS), spread good word of mouth about the facility to friends and family members, along with buying stock in the company. I also work for Dave and Busters in a way. I work valet through a contracted company at there establishment on Hall rd and M-59. So the better I service the customer, the better that is for Dave and Busters.

There are a number of things that Dave and Busters can do for me. First of all, working valet for the company I am also entitled to all the benefits the employees of Dave and Busters receive;  off on all food, free games, etc. One of the main things the corporation can do for me outside of the employment sector is make money so my stock prices will increase.

Dave and Busters is one of the few companies out there that actually cares for their employees as much as they care about profit. Each employee is treated with the utmost respect and dignity. The opportunity for growth is almost inevitable as long as the employee shows drive and determination. The actual Manager for all operations in the Utica, Michigan facility started off as a doorman, now he heads all operations in this finely tuned facility. All employees help out with other employees tasks too. At the end of the night the doormen take off their coat and ties and help the waitressing staff help clean up. This is just another example of how everyone cares about each other at Dave and Busters.

Dave and Busters is without a doubt one of the most inquisitive and lucrative organizations in  the country. Dave Corriveau and Buster Corley saw that there was a niche in the market, pursued their dream of fulfilling that market, and succeeded. The question that faces both of these brilliant men is how long will the economy continue to behave in this manner ? . The economy is operating so smooth and efficiently right now and there are many people with more money to spend. But what happens if the economy starts to slow down. An average amount one person spends at Dave and Busters ranges from $50 to $80 dollars. Not exactly cheap. But you do get bang for your buck.

To fully understand the glitz and glamour that Dave and Busters produces it is vital that one visit the premises. At some point in your visit you will definitely understand why this company does so well. There is no other place like this in the world, as of now, and Dave and Busters have taken so many steps to insure this. As soon as you step out of your car you hear music, this is because there are outside speakers located throughout the entire parking complex and directly outside the facility as well. Little things like this can win over a customer in a heartbeat.

In order for Dave and Busters to continue their competitive advantage and record breaking profits they must do a number of things. First of all, the company must remain on the leading edge of technology. A large portion of their clientele is dependent on the new technology and innovative designs of Dave and Busters video games. If they lose this edge, they have lost their niche in the market. Second, the company must maintain its high priority involvement towards customer satisfaction. As any company knows, customer satisfaction means everything. And as of now, Dave and Busters is maintaining an A+ as far as customer satisfaction goes. Finally they have to adapt to the many different needs their clientele demands. Customer needs and wants are not subject to stay constant. Dave and Busters must continually research what their customers want and what they demand. There are many different methods they can use; demographics, surveys, questionnaires, etc. Dave and Busters Inc. is on the forefront of the restaurant/entertainment business. With their competitive attitude and award winning drive and ambition it seems inevitable that they will continue to be the elite leaders of the newly founded market.

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