After a challenging year of heightened financial constraints and layoffs, Dave & Buster’s is on a hiring spree with a focus on providing innovative entertainment experiences. The surge in listings comes after a year of low hiring activity with a total of 300 jobs posted between June 2020 and April 2021. However, job postings rebounded strongly and the company posted around 2,000 jobs between May 2021 and June 2021*, finds GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Ajay Thalluri, Business Fundamentals Analyst at GlobalData, says: “After a tough 2020, when Dave & Buster’s saw itself at the brink of filing bankruptcy, the company has bounced back. It is focusing on staffing requirements and designated an estimated $5m for hiring programs and retention incentives in Q2 2021.”

Dave & Buster’s plans to have a high level of in-store entertainment staff to ensure elevated experience for its guests, evidenced by the hiring of a ‘Senior Director, Entertainment Experience’. The company also listed multiple ‘Assistant General Manager’ roles to hire, retain and develop talent for its stores.

Thalluri adds: “Dave & Buster’s is developing a portfolio of technology products for store-wide deployment while creating a modern workplace. It looks to leverage cloud-based technologies for better employee experience and transform in-store experience for guests and team members. The company is also looking at innovation in providing entertainment experiences and go-to marketing strategies through its guest experience lab in Dallas, as well as looking to build potential partnerships to develop entertainment content.”

Most of the jobs advertised are entry roles, including barmen, line cooks, waiters, captains, and tech support. Key jobs include ‘Director, Cyber Security & Modern Workplace’; ‘Digital Product Manager – Mobile App’; ‘Senior Director of Store Technology & Delivery’; and ‘Senior Director – Experience Innovation.’

Thalluri concludes: “Most Dave & Buster’s stores are open, and the company looks to open new stores in fiscal 2021. Hiring is likely to remain strong with the company’s plans to keep staffing levels high.”