Hill Path Capital Co-Founder Joins Dave & Buster’s Board

Hill Path Capital’s Co-Founder and Partner, James Chambers, has been elected to Dave & Buster’s Board of Directors. The addition to the Board has been welcomed by Dave & Buster’s leadership, and it marks another investment in the company by the Hill Path Capital investment firm.

Co-Founders Scott Ross and James Chambers launched Hill Path Capital in 2015, and both continue to be involved in the leadership of the private equity investment firm. Scott Ross currently serves as Managing Partner, and James Chambers serves as Partner. The firm has made several notable investments since its launch.

Hill Path Capital is the largest investor in SeaWorld Entertainment, known for its theme parks and marine life conservation efforts. Scott Ross joined SeaWorld’s Board of Directors in 2017, and was elected as the Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2019. James Chambers is also a Member of SeaWorld’s Board of Directors. Hill Path Capital, through Scott Ross and James Chambers, continues to be significantly involved with SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s leadership, growth, and development.

Dave & Buster’s is the second-largest investment that Hill Path Capital has made thus far. The addition of James Chambers to the Company’s Board of Directors signifies the importance of this investment.

James Chambers’ addition to Dave & Buster’s Board became effective on December 22, 2020. This appointment brings the Board’s membership up to 10 Directors, including eight independent appointments. Mr. Chambers will serve as a General Board Member, and is also specifically named to the Company’s Audit, Finance, and Compensation Committees.

James Chambers’ new role was welcomed by Dave & Buster’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Stephen M. King. In a press release, Mr. King expressed, “Hill Path [Capital] is one of our largest and most engaged shareholders. We are pleased to welcome James as our newest Independent Director and look forward to continuing to work together to build long-term value for all of our stakeholders.”

Scott Ross showcased similarly positive sentiment regarding James Chambers’ new position on the Board of Directors. Speaking for Hill Path Capital in the same initial press release, Mr. Ross said, “We are pleased to further our support for Dave & Buster’s and continue to partner with the Board and management team to realize the full potential of the company and its uniquely valuable assets.”

Hill Path Capital’s other significant holding is J. Alexander’s. The firm has made a $5 million investment in the restaurant company, which equates to a 6% stake.

Before launching Hill Path Capital, Scott Ross was a Partner at Apollo Global Management, where he led debt and private equity investments in the leisure, lodging, entertainment, consumer, and business services industries. Mr. Ross has previously worked at Goldman Sachs & Co., Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., CEC Entertainment, Inc., and EVERTEC, Inc.

Prior to launching Hill Path Capital, James Chambers also worked at Apollo Global Management, where he executed investments in various industries, including the out-of-home entertainment, hospitality, and leisure sectors. Mr. Chambers has previously held a role at Goldman Sachs & Co., and has previously served on the Board of Directors of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. CEC Entertainment, and Principal Maritime Tankers Corp.