James Buster Corley, the co-founder of Dave and Busters, recently passed away at the age of 72. Dave & Busters is a well-known restaurant franchise with 151 locations in the United States and two in Canada. On January 2, James’ body was found at his home. As police officers raced to his home in Dallas, Texas, circumstances suggested he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
His daughter Kate revealed to WFAA that James suffered a stroke four months ago that damaged the communication and personality parts of his brain. She went on to say that the family needs privacy when mourning the death of a loved one. Dave and Busters also expressed their sorrow, adding that James’ enthusiasm for hospitality, commitment to quality and care for the rest of the team members have all contributed to the chain’s success. According to a business spokesperson:
“Our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time, and while we will miss his sage advice and easy chuckle, the legacy he and Dave built will live on.”
Dave & Buster’s co-founder James ‘Buster’ Corley dies at age 72 https://t.co/cnjKxS4t7X through @nbcnews
— T (@tbirdefe) January 5, 2023
Dave and Busters were founded in 1982 in Dallas.
Dave and Busters’ adventure started in 1982 and David Corriveau was the other founder together with James. By 1997, the restaurant business had opened a few locations across the country, as well as a few additional locations where Jillian’s operated. Oak Hill Capital Partners purchased the company in 2010. They continued on their profitable path until the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic, which severely devastated all restaurant businesses worldwide. Sales were affected, but the company recovered the following year. When the first restaurant debuted in 1982, Corriveau was in charge of entertainment and gambling, while Corley was in charge of food and beverage.
While other restaurant chains strived to wow guests with their culinary choices, the company rose to prominence in the 1990s for its gaming facilities. They were mostly known for activating games using a Power Card, although the company eventually switched to regular tokens. On certain occasions, Dave & Busters has achieved fame by watching sports on huge TVs. In 2015, they even created a smartphone app that allowed customers to play games of their choice in the stores.
The restaurant’s cuisine and drinks menu have also received positive praise. Pasta, burgers, desserts and other dishes are on the menu. The company also has a restriction that visitors under the age of 21 must be accompanied by a guardian and only stay until 10pm. They have supported the Ultimate Fighting Championship, World Wrestling Entertainment, the San Jose Sharks and other organizations.
