Dave & Buster's vs Marcus

Dave & Buster's and Marcus Corp are compared on this page to illuminate their business models, financial performance, and market context. The aim is to present clear, neutral information about each company, highlighting how they operate, what drives value, and how they sit within their sector. Educational content, not financial advice.

Dave & Buster's and Marcus Corp are compared on this page to illuminate their business models, financial performance, and market context. The aim is to present clear, neutral information about each co...

About The Companies

Dave & Buster's (PLAY)

Dave & Buster's Entertainment Inc (ticker: PLAY) runs a chain of combined restaurants, bars and large-format entertainment centres across the US and Canada. Venues blend full-service dining, sports viewing and arcade-style games and attractions, generating revenue from food and beverage sales, game play and private events. Investors typically watch footfall trends, average spend per visit and the company’s ability to refurbish or expand locations. The business is cyclical and sensitive to consumer discretionary spending, labour and occupancy costs, and competition from other leisure options. Digital initiatives and loyalty programmes can help drive repeat visits and ancillary sales, while balance-sheet strength affects capital allocation for growth. Market capitalisation is around $649.3m. This summary is educational only and not personal financial advice; investments can fall as well as rise and suitability depends on your circumstances.

Marcus (MCS)

Marcus Corporation (MCS) is a US-based operator of movie theatres and hotels, with a market capitalisation of about $430.21M. Investors should know it is a small-cap, cyclical business whose revenues depend on discretionary consumer spending, box-office performance and travel trends. The company combines exhibition and hospitality operations, which can provide diversified cash flows but also exposes it to sector-specific headwinds such as competition from streaming services, changes in movie release patterns and tourism cycles. Marcus has historically focused on theatre renovations and guest experience upgrades to drive attendance and hotel occupancy; however, margins can be sensitive to labour, energy and interest-rate pressures. As with other cyclical consumer stocks, short-term earnings can fluctuate and longer-term returns are not guaranteed. Suitable for investors able to tolerate volatility, it may appeal to those seeking exposure to leisure and entertainment themes, but prospective buyers should review recent financials, dividend policy and leverage before deciding.

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

PLAY

Metric

MCS

$688.75M

Market Cap

$495.11M

48.26%

Potential Profit

53.06%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Put your money where the smiles are. This collection features companies dedicated to creating entertainment and leisure experiences that people love. From theme parks to streaming services, these stocks capitalize on our endless appetite for fun.

Published: June 18, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Put your money where the smiles are. This collection features companies dedicated to creating entertainment and leisure experiences that people love. From theme parks to streaming services, these stocks capitalize on our endless appetite for fun.

Published: June 18, 2025

Explore Basket

Investment Analysis

Dave & Buster's

PLAY

Pros

Dave & Buster's operates a unique entertainment and dining concept combining arcade games, sports viewing, and diverse food and beverage offerings across North America.
The company reported solid revenue growth with a 10.5% net margin and an exceptional return on equity of 58.8%, indicating strong management efficiency.
Market forecasts for Dave & Buster's include potential upside in the long term despite near-term downtrends, reflecting some growth opportunity.

Considerations

Dave & Buster's stock recently hit a 52-week low amid earnings results that missed analyst expectations on earnings per share and revenue.
The company has weak liquidity ratios with a current ratio of 0.33 and a high debt-to-equity ratio of 9.32, reflecting financial risk.
Stock price forecasts predict a downward trend through late 2025, signalling ongoing volatility and short-term investor caution.

Marcus

MCS

Pros

Marcus Corporation operates in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, providing diversification through cinema, hotels, and resorts.
The company has a relatively stable market position with established operations in multiple locations enhancing geographic and business risk spread.
Marcus benefits from experienced management and ongoing initiatives to improve operational efficiency and capitalize on entertainment sector recovery.

Considerations

Marcus Corp faces macroeconomic and regulatory risks affecting the hospitality and entertainment industries, including sensitivity to discretionary consumer spending.
The company is exposed to cyclical trends and commodity price fluctuations impacting operational costs and profitability.
Execution risks exist related to integrating acquisitions and managing diverse business segments with different dynamics.

Discover More Comparisons

Dave & Buster's vs Miller Industries

Dave & Buster's vs Shoe Carnival

Dave & Buster's vs Reservoir Media

Dave & Buster's vs Marcus

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Investment Analysis

Dave & Buster's

Pros

Considerations

Marcus

Pros

Considerations

Why invest with Nemo?

Zero Commission

Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

Discover More Comparisons

Dave & Buster's vs Miller Industries

Dave & Buster's vs Shoe Carnival

Dave & Buster's vs Reservoir Media

Frequently asked questions

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Dave & Buster's vs Marcus

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Joy & Fun Basket

Investment Analysis

Dave & Buster's

Pros

Considerations

Marcus

Pros

Considerations

Why invest with Nemo?

Zero Commission

Trusted & Regulated

6% Interest on Cash

Discover More Comparisons

Dave & Buster's vs Miller Industries

Dave & Buster's vs Shoe Carnival

Dave & Buster's vs Reservoir Media

Frequently asked questions

What are the core business models of Dave & Buster's and Marcus Corp?

How do the two companies generate revenue across their segments?

What does a high ROE (return on equity) indicate in the Dave & Buster's context?

What are liquidity and balance sheet concerns to watch for with Dave & Buster's?

How could near-term earnings and revenue trends influence stock performance?

How might macroeconomic conditions affect Marcus Corp differently from Dave & Buster's?

What diversification advantages does Marcus Corp offer?

What should an investor compare when evaluating these two stocks?

How do forecasts and market outlooks influence interpretation of these stocks?

What structural risks should be considered for both stocks?

What does it mean that the two stocks operate in different parts of the entertainment value chain?

Educational disclaimer about using this page for learning purposes?

About The Companies

Comparison Snapshot